News & Farming Articles - Manitoba Co-operator

This crop-duster is a dual-purpose firefighting machine.

Birtle crop-dusters add firefighting to their profile

First-of-its-kind multi-purpose plane that can battle blazes ready for take off

By Brenda Hunter August 19, 2019

A Birtle-area crop-duster is getting into the firefighting business. Randy and Janet Sandstrom have expanded their crop-dusting business to now offer aerial firefighting assistance to local fire departments. They are the proud owners of a serial No. 1 from Thrush Aircraft, a single cockpit plane with a switchback fire gate, the first-of-its-kind, multi-purpose aircraft capable

Justin Girard shows how 100 km/h winds bent the metal frame of a hoop house, destroying the structure.

Farmit Manitoba, Local news

Catastrophic crop loss highlights need for small-farm insurance

Four years after the Small Scale Farm Manitoba report, crop insurance for small-scale food producers doesn’t seem to be on the province’s radar

By Geralyn Wichers August 16, 2019

It was shaping up to be a banner year for Justin Girard. Hearts and Roots, which Girard runs with wife Britt Embry, is a certified organic farm that sells veggies through farmers’ markets, wholesale and Instagram-worthy subscription boxes. But on July 14, instead of shots of glistening greens or farm dog Merle, Hearts and Roots

Producers with available hay or forages are being encouraged to list them for sale.

Forages, Local news

Manitoba farm organizations urge farmers to list available feed

A serious shortfall has livestock producers scrambling for feed and alternatives

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff August 16, 2019

Manitoba’s two largest farm organizations are urging farmers to list any hay, straw or other alternative feeds they may have available. The Manitoba Beef Producers and Keystone Agricultural Producers say the province is facing a shortfall this season, amid widespread reports of below-expected hay and forage yields for the season. “Many beef producers have been

The escalating trade war and lack of a diplomatic solution between the U.S. and China is putting financial strain on farmers.

International news, News, Other

China-U.S. trade spat could mean more financial aid needed by Canadian farmers

AgriStability discussions may need to move up the agenda

By Alex Binkley August 16, 2019

The ramping up of the U.S.-China trade war will put more pressure on the Canadian government to increase its financial assistance to farmers who are already suffering from the early stages of the superpower skirmish. China has announced it will stop buying U.S. agricultural products and it may impose additional tariffs on U.S. farm products

Tom Teichroeb is president of Manitoba Beef Producers.

Beef cattle, Local news

Manitoba Beef Producers releases election wish list

By Geralyn Wichers August 16, 2019

Risk management, trade and the environment are at top of mind for the Manitoba Beef Producers as provincial and federal elections loom. The organization released its election wish list in a news release on August 7, which encompassed both federal and provincial elections. “It is important that there is a policy and regulatory environment in

Argentina's grain harvest is sure to boost the South American country's position in global markets.

Grain Markets, International news

Argentina set for bumper wheat crop

Other wheat-growing regions are facing weather woes

By Hugh Bronstein, Karl Plume August 15, 2019

Reuters – Argentine wheat farmers are preparing for a record harvest, even as global rivals see crop yield prospects cut amid floods in the United States, searing heat in Europe and drought in Australia and parts of Canada. The grain bounty in the world’s No. 6 wheat exporter will boost the South American country in

A recent KAP meeting saw farmers chide officials for 'awful' implementation of Class 1 licence plan.

Local news, Other

Frustrated KAP members say Class 1 truck licence transition flawed

Some have waited months in vain for a semi licence road test because commercial truckers get most of the openings

By Allan Dawson August 15, 2019

[UPDATED: Aug. 19, 2019] Good luck if you’re a farmer trying to get a Class 1 semi licence before harvest. And it might not be much easier between now and next harvest either. That’s because starting Sept. 1 everyone has to take Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT), a 121.5-hour course designed to provide new semi

News, Other

Tougher truck licensing rules rooted in bus tragedy

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff August 15, 2019

The impetus for new, tougher, Class 1 licensing requirements began April 6, 2018, near Armley, Saskatchewan. That’s when a westbound tractor trailer, loaded with bags of peat moss, failed to stop at a flashing stop sign at the intersections of Saskatchewan Highways 35 and 335. Crossing the north-south highway at approximately 100 km/h, the truck

The Alameda reservoir in southeastern Saskatchewan, one of three water control structures in the Souris River system that some communities downstream say could do more in terms of flood mitigation.

Local news, Other

Souris river: feast or famine

Evaluation of Souris River’s flow data has begun evaluation in earnest, but the sheer number of scenarios promises enough data to drown in, and not everyone agrees on priorities

By Alexis Stockford August 14, 2019

Lynn R. Kongslie is used to watching his ranch near Towner, North Dakota, go under water, but that doesn’t lessen the sting each time it does. Like many ranchers in the area, Kongslie believes he knows who to blame. Saskatchewan’s three major control structures along the Souris River are sore topics in Towner, Minot and

Workers sit on a bed next to ducks at a farm in Jiaxiang county, Shandong province, China.

International news, Livestock

China’s duck farmers cash in as ASF disease slashes pork output

Cost-conscious catering firms are switching to supply schools and factories

By Dominique Patton August 14, 2019

Reuters – On a 30-hectare (74-acre) plot of land in China’s Shandong province poultry hub, more than half a million white-feathered ducks are busy eating, chattering and laying eggs to produce cheap meat for thousands of factory canteens. With birds already packed into around 60 open-sided buildings, farm owner Shenghe Group is expanding further, aiming

Daily Network News

B.C. ostriches culled, CFIA confirms

U.S. livestock: Cattle, hogs end week on high note

U.S. grains: Soybeans bounce as Chinese demand assessed, wheat drops

News