News & Farming Articles - Manitoba Co-operator

The Association of Manitoba Muncipalities says there’s plenty of public support for its call for a share of cannabis tax dollars.

Poll lines up Manitobans with AMM on cannabis

How much should municipalities get when it comes time to divvy out tax revenue on pot?  A recent poll from the AMM suggests at least half

By Alexis Stockford January 22, 2018

The Association of Manitoba Municipalities says a new poll shows Manitobans support local governments getting their piece of the cannabis tax pie. The Probe Research poll, done on behalf of the AMM, reported that about 33 per cent of 1,000 replies thought municipalities should get half the tax revenue, while 59 per cent indicated local

A robotic weeder in a vegetable field near Davis, California. The rows must be very straight and precise for the weeder to properly do its job.

Crops, Did you know?, News

A row to hoe

Robots are the future of weed control, one researcher says

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff January 22, 2018

Forget about that old hoe — it’s time to go high tech with weed control. Researchers at the University of California-Davis say robotic weeders are already making headway in high-value vegetable crops, fuelled by a lack of chemical controls and lack of affordable labour. Steven Fennimore, an extension specialist at the university, pegs the cost

Local news

VIDEO: Full Bin Alarm wins Farm Safety Feature at Manitoba Ag Days

Invention lets producers on the ground know when their bin is full

By Greg Berg January 19, 2018

Sound the alarm! You no longer need to climb to the top of your grain bin to find out when it’s full. That’s the idea behind Never Spill Spout’s Full Bin Alarm, the Farm Safety product winner at this year’s Manitoba Ag Days. The system uses a sensor inside of an auger spout to alert

Equipment, Local news

VIDEO: CropPro Consulting wins Best New Product at Ag Days

System collects electrical conductivity data for variable rate seed, fertilizer program

By Greg Berg January 19, 2018

Best New Product at Manitoba Ag Days was awarded to CropPro Consulting on Jan. 17, 2018, for SWAT MAPS and SWATBOX, its variable rate seed and fertilizer service. SWAT MAPS collects data based on soil, water, and topography data and SWATBOX collects soil electrical conductivity data while seeding or tilling. In this video, Derek Rude

Ray Bittner of Manitoba Agriculture makes the case for silage during Ag Days 2018.

Livestock, Local news

Farmers don’t need to feel like they’re choking down silage cost: Ag Days speaker

Silage becomes more palatable for producers if you look beyond simple cost per acre, Manitoba Agriculture’s Ray Bittner told the Ag Days audience Jan. 17

By Alexis Stockford January 18, 2018

It’s time to add a little fermentation to your feed plan. That’s the message Manitoba Agriculture’s Ray Bittner had for his Ag Days audience. The livestock specialist centred his talk around maximized silage value. Silage is old hat for producers in the Interlake, but its expense, and the fact that it often requires a custom

Shiv Chopra was noted for speaking out publicly about being pressured to approve BGH in Canada.

News

Shiv Chopra recalled for milk whistleblowing

The microbiologist was fired for speaking out on the use of  growth hormones to increase milk production

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff January 18, 2018

The controversial whistleblower who alerted Canadians to the use of growth hormones to increase milk production is dead at 84. Shiv Chopra sparked debate in 1989 when he and fellow scientist Margaret Haydon testified before a Senate committee they were being pressured to approve bovine growth hormone (BGH) for use in dairy cows. The move

Volunteers prepare lunch at the annual St. Jean Farm Days.

Crops, Local news

Farmers mull commodity group merger’s risks and benefits

Vote on proposed merger to take place in early 2019

By Shannon VanRaes January 18, 2018

Five Manitoba commodity groups were at St. Jean Farm Days last week, seeking input on a proposed amalgamation plan. At the event Myron Krahn told producers that “we’re here because we want farmers’ feedback, we want ideas from farmers… we’re looking for as much feedback as we can get, positive or negative, it doesn’t matter.”

The Manitoba Hydro head office in downtown Winnipeg. Electricity rates are set to rise, with many consequences for rural Manitoba.

Local news, Other

Manitoba Hydro hikes worry RMs

Municipal leaders say proposed 7.9 per cent rate hikes will put a serious crimp in operating budgets

By Lorraine Stevenson January 18, 2018

Manitobans can expect fewer services and paying higher user fees for recreational facilities if electricity rates rise. That’s the message Association of Manitoba Municipalities president Chris Goertzen had for the Public Utilities Board earlier this month. Read more: Carbon tax revenue use options pitched at AMM The rate hikes being proposed will make it difficult for

News, Oilseeds

Flax Council of Canada clarifies its transition

The council will close its physical office Jan. 31 and the Manitoba  Flax Growers Association, which shares the facility, is leaving it too

By Allan Dawson January 18, 2018

The Flax Council of Canada will continue operating with a part-time administrator after closing its office in downtown Winnipeg Jan. 31, council president Brian Johnson said in an interview Jan. 15. Meanwhile, the Manitoba Flax Growers Association, which shares that office in the old Grain Exchange Building, will also leave at the end of this

Local news

VIDEO: Soaring Eagle wins first place in Inventors’ Showcase at Ag Days

AgriLite Conveyor Trailers awarded 2nd place win for its fertilizer and seed tender trailer

By Greg Berg January 18, 2018

Soaring Eagle Grain Equipment took first place in the Inventors’ Showcase on Jan. 17, 2018 at Manitoba Ag Days for its swinging drive-over that hooks up to a grain auger or conveyor. The device allows farmers to easily move from one hopper to the next for unloading in order to save time. AgriLite Conveyor Trailers

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