News & Farming Articles - Manitoba Co-operator

First rural Manitoba COVID-19 case reported

Rural testing centres set to open in the next week

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff March 16, 2020

Three more “presumptive” cases of COVID-19 have been identified in the province, including one in the Interlake. That brings the total number of Manitoba cases of the novel coronavirus that’s sweeping the globe to seven, the province announced Sunday. The Interlake case is the first one that’s been logged outside of Winnipeg. The province will

Brandon’s dome building has been a mark of the Provincial Exhibition for over a century.

News, Other

COVID-19 fears put a halt to agricultural events

The Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, annual meeting of the Manitoba Pork Council and KAP’s Discover Ag in the City have all been cancelled

By Alexis Stockford March 15, 2020

The Royal Manitoba Winter Fair tops the list of agriculture-related events facing cancellation due to the COVID-19 outbreak. “We’ve been monitoring this situation as it’s been developing all along,” Ron Kristjansson, general manger of the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba, said. “Obviously, public safety needs to be a huge concern for us in the events business

Grain drying and other agricultural activities will be exempt from the carbon tax — if the federal government signs off on the provincial plan.

News, Other

Province going ahead on flat carbon tax, lower PST

The province says farmers will get their wish on grain drying and barn heating exemptions, if the federal government accepts the provincial plan

By Alexis Stockford March 13, 2020

The province is again pushing for a $25-per-tonne flat rate on carbon tax — along with exemptions on fuel for grain drying and heating barns — despite an ongoing spat with Ottawa. At the same time, the province has announced that the PST will be dropping from seven to six per cent. Both are set

Workers in protective suits disinfect a pig farm as a prevention measure for African swine fever, in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, China, August 22, 2018.

Hogs, News

China announces step forward on African swine fever vaccine

It may be too soon to jump for joy, but the pork sector says that ASF vaccine progress out of China is heartening

By Alexis Stockford March 13, 2020

The world may be one step closer to a workable vaccine for African swine fever (ASF), but one expert warns that a local debut is a long way off — if the vaccine makes it to Canada at all. According to a research article, recently published in a Chinese science journal, researchers out of the

Empty shelves out of stock of pasta are pictured in a supermarket in London, England, March 6, 2020.

Markets, News

Fear is the price killer in commodity markets

COVID-19 | Cuts in key interest rates helped slow the declines in futures

By Glen Hallick - MarketsFarm March 12, 2020

There’s no doubt that the COVID-19 coronavirus is having a tremendous effect on commodity markets. Although Canada and the United States have a mere fraction of the reported cases and deaths, fears toward COVID-19 have generated sharp losses in North American markets. There was something of a reprieve this week as the U.S. Federal Reserve

Markets, News

U.S. soybean sales to China fall to lowest in nearly six months

By Reuters March 12, 2020

Reuters – U.S. exporters sold just 6,012 tonnes of soybeans to China in the week ended Feb. 27, despite Phase 1 of the U.S.-China trade pact going into effect the prior week, U.S. government data showed March 5. The weekly total was the lowest since the week ended Sept. 5, when China’s net sales came

China continues to produce, import and consume plenty of canola. But for the past year very little has come from Canada.

News

One year after China canola ban, there is still no resolution

No easy resolution to China/Canada trade dispute, says Canola Council of Canada president

By Alexis Kienlen March 12, 2020

March 6, 2020 marked a sombre anniversary for Canada’s canola industry. It’s been a year since China banned the majority of imports of Canadian canola, and an end to the ban is nowhere in sight. “It’s a very frustrating situation for producers and the industry,” said Jim Everson, president of the Canola Council of Canada.

Getting ready ahead of time can help ensure a successful calving season.

Livestock, News

Prepare for spring calving

A few simple steps can set your operation up for success

By NDSU Release March 11, 2020

Planning and preparing for the calving season can help not only minimize calf losses but also improve calves’ performance, according to North Dakota State University Extension livestock specialists. The nutrition status of the calving herd is one issue to consider in preparing for the upcoming spring calving season. “Although this should be an earlier concern,

Andre and Katie Steppler of Miami receive this year’s Manitoba Outstanding Young Farmer award from Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen (right) in Brandon March 7, 2020.

Beef cattle, News

Stepplers named Manitoba Outstanding Young Farmers 2020

Andre and Katie Steppler will be the next Manitoba farmers bound for a chance at the national competition after taking the regional award this month

By Alexis Stockford March 11, 2020

Ag advocacy helped launch Andre and Katie Steppler of Miami into the limelight last week after the pair was named to this year’s Manitoba Outstanding Young Farmer award. Why it matters: Andre and Katie Steppler have won the regional Outstanding Young Farmer Award and will now make their bid for the national title against winners

A Manitoba bison producer says a new pilot project is making exporting his animals far easier.

Livestock, News

Bovine export in Manitoba goes digital

First users of the pilot suggest it could cut hours off of getting export paperwork together

By Alexis Stockford March 10, 2020

Manitoba bovine producers are getting a glimpse of their export future. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) says a new pilot will significantly cut down on the time farmers and veterinarians spend on paperwork for live bovine export. Exporters shipping live cattle or bison through the Emerson port south of Winnipeg can now complete their

Daily Network News

New strategies needed for Canadian agriculture to stand out in global trade

Feed Grains Weekly: Cash prices for wheat, barley largely flat

The Canadian GMO mustard wars: Dijon vs canola