News & Farming Articles - Manitoba Co-operator

A greenhouse at the University of Winnipeg is growing plants for physics and computer science researchers working on machine-learning problems in precision agriculture.

University of Winnipeg dives into agriculture research

Collaboration to develop expertise in high-tech precision ag technology

By Spencer Myers August 2, 2019

A very urban university is starting to sink roots deep into Manitoba’s agriculture sector. The University of Winnipeg is embarking on a collaboration with Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative (or EMILI as it’s known) to contribute to taking the agriculture industry high tech. Ray Bouchard, EMILI chair and president and CEO of Enns Brothers,

”The rains are timely. They’re just not big enough.” – Pam Iwanchysko, Manitoba Agriculture.

Livestock, Local news

Almost all of Manitoba declared eligible for livestock tax relief

Low feed supply prompts a second year of tax deferral

By Alexis Stockford August 2, 2019

Manitoba’s forage shortage will warrant federal tax relief again this year. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has released its first list of regions eligible for the livestock tax deferral program allowing producers to defer income from cattle sales into the following tax year. For many municipalities, it will be the second year in a row for

Two royalty options have been proposed to collect more money from farmers to help private and public cereal plant breeders develop improved varieties.

Cereals, News

Change is coming in the seed royalty debate, and it could cost farmers

Farmers have a chance to influence seed royalty options, but need to get more involved, says Lynn Jacobson

By Allan Dawson August 2, 2019

Farmers can still shape their future contributions to cereal variety development, including possibly a new seed royalty system — but they must participate in the consultation process. That’s the message Lynn Jacobson, president of the Alberta Federation of Agriculture (AFA) is trying to spread. “This is coming and it’s going to cost you money,” Jacobson

Pea protein has created a lot of buzz for Manitoba farmers, but how worried should people be about recent reports of allergic reactions?

Farmit Manitoba, News, Pulses

Pea allergies could hamper new markets

New uses for pea protein is good news for growers, but it has also led to some unexpected allergic reactions for people

By Alexis Stockford August 1, 2019

Novel uses of pea protein are great news for growers but may be bad news for allergy sufferers. They’re suddenly faced with a world where it may be in unexpected places like sandwich meats and chicken strips. Earlier this spring Dr. Elana Lavine, an Ontario-based allergist, highlighted the issue in the Journal of Allergy and

Since March Canadian canola exports have increased to some other countries, but not enough to offset what’s expected to be an extra million tonnes of potentially price-depressing canola carry-over at the end of the crop year July 31.

News, Oilseeds

New Canadian canola seed sales made to China

Details are few but the canola council says normal canola trade with China has not been restored

By Allan Dawson August 1, 2019

Canada has made a “small amount” of new canola seed sales to China, but exports to Canada’s biggest canola customer aren’t back to normal. Not even close. “We are aware of a small amount of (canola seed) sales that have occurred (to China),” Brian Innes, the Canola Council of Canada’s vice-president of communications said in

Canada exported just 112,000 tonnes of canola to China in May based on sales made before the current dispute, down 79 per cent compared to May 2018.

News, Oilseeds

Escalation of canola dispute with China won’t work

Market analyst Mike Jubinville doesn’t see a resolution any time soon

By Allan Dawson August 1, 2019

Retaliating against China over its import restrictions on Canadian canola will only make the dispute harder to resolve, according to MarketsFarm analyst Mike Jubinville. Some commentators and farmers are demanding Canada retaliate, for example, by subjecting Chinese imports to intense inspections. “Taking an aggressive position with China is absolutely pointless,” he said in an interview

Pam Bailey and Rauri Qually on their grain farm in Dacotah, near Winnipeg. “Before you want to complain about something, you better be willing to volunteer,” says Pam.

Farmit Manitoba, Local news, Other

Volunteerism keeps loneliness at bay for young farm couple

Pam Bailey and Rauri Qually maintain a century-old farm near Dacotah, and say they do it because they love it, not because it’s easy

By Geralyn Wichers July 31, 2019

For Rauri Qually and Pam Bailey, a young farm couple, getting involved in commodity and agriculture boards is a way to protect what they love — and a way to cope with the solitary farm lifestyle. “It’s lonely here. I don’t know how my dad did this all by himself,” Rauri told the Manitoba Co-operator

“I would love to see this farm continue on into the future, into the next generation. I would say that’s my goal.” – Fiona Jochum

Faces of ag, Farmit Manitoba, Local news, Other

Young Manitoba farmer right where she wants to be — working beside her dad on the family farm

‘The goal is to farm,' says Fiona Jochum, who farms near St. Francois Xavier

By Geralyn Wichers July 30, 2019

Fiona Jochum has the weight of her first crop on her shoulders, and thus far it’s been a doozy. Flea beetles, cutworms and dry conditions have hampered growth in her fields, but Fiona, 25, doesn’t let it get her down. “Even though these things stress me out, I still love it. I still want to

Country Crossroads, Local news

World Clydesdale Show a first for Manitoba

Draft horse show families involved with fundraising, promotion of 2021 event

By Darrell Nesbitt July 30, 2019

A Hamiota couple is putting heart and soul into the upcoming World Clydesdale Show, slated to touch down in Manitoba in 2021. Reg and Carol Madsen come by their interest honestly, having showed at the event in Madison, Wisconsin, and they and other show families are excited to showcase their home province with the event.

The African swine fever virus has reached every province in China.

Hogs, International news

China’s pig farms clean up to beat swine fever

Industry sees improved biosecurity in farms, transport as sales of disinfectants, truck washes soar

By Dominique Patton July 30, 2019

Reuters – A devastating outbreak of African swine fever that has killed millions of pigs in China is changing attitudes in a country where farm hygiene has often been seen as lax by international standards. From farms to feed mills to transport, people involved in the pork industry say biosecurity has been tightened, with sales

Daily Network News

Women who fed a nation

U.S. grains: Soybeans rise on China demand hopes; corn and wheat rebound

U.S. livestock: Hogs rebound, cattle hit upward limits

News