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Opinion

The good old days – not always so good

By
Local. Organic. Hormone free. Gluten free. No pesticides. Nothing artificial. These are the buzzwords in food marketing today. Who can object to all of these wholesome-sounding concepts? Food companies are trying to take us back to a time which many consumers imagine as idyllic, pure and healthy. The fact this is an effective marketing strategy
photo: thinkstock
Opinion

Manitoba Hydro versus Manitoba farmers: billions at stake

By
Manitoba Hydro is in for a shock: farmers will not accept token compensation for reduced productivity from the operational impacts of Bipole III lines. A significant group of farmers is now working with the Canadian Association of Energy and Pipeline Landowners Association (CAEPLA) to protect their rights and options. And, Hydro had best not forget
Opinion

Ban neonicotinoids? Not if you’re concerned about the facts

By
The Ontario Bee Association and the Sierra Club of Canada is seeking a ban on treating seeds with neonicotinoid insecticides. But science and statistics do not support their position. Consider the following: Statistics Canada data show that the number of honey bee colonies was up, not down, in both Ontario and Canada in 2012. While
Opinion

It’s a local thing

By
The headlines of late have been all about consolidation, mergers and acquisitions and about the global players like Agrium and Glencore moving in on Prairie agriculture. But there’s been a quiet evolution taking place beneath the radar that has turned into a competitive force on the Prairie farm supply scene. The same day earlier this
Opinion

Conference a great forum for young agriculturalists

By
Some of us on the verge of retirement wonder at times who will be taking over the reins of leadership of agricultural organizations, agricultural academia, the government agricultural bureaucracy and the industry in general. It’s a real concern, as never-ending production efficiencies mean fewer and fewer people needed to produce more food. In addition, agriculture
Opinion

MAFRI’s two-faced policy towards local food

By
Small farm owners Pam and Clint Cavers had the surprise of their lives last week when Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) staff showed up to “seize and destroy” their stock of locally produced and cured prosciutto (pork). Ironically, just months ago, MAFRI had presented the Cavers with a $10,000 prize, naming their prosciutto
Gary Martens
Opinion

The Manitoba harvest: ‘To every thing there is a season’

In his sixth instalment from Northern Blossom Farm, Gary Martens reflects on the length and variety of the Manitoba harvest

By
The crops in my Kleefeld area look very good. We have actually had less-than-average rainfall with no gigantic rain events to damage the crops. On my little “nano” farm, the peas are in swath but it has rained a small amount most days since, the wheat is almost ready to harvest and the oats will
News & Opinion, Opinion

Comment: An outright ban on neonicotinoids would be reckless and costly

By

Regions that use no neonicotinoids are experiencing major bee losses while others that 
make widespread use of the treatment have healthy, thriving bee populations

Bee health has been the subject of much media attention over the last year — and rightly so. Bees are a critical part of the agricultural system and largely responsible for one in every three bites of food we eat. There are few who are more concerned about this issue than the manufacturers of pest
News & Opinion, Opinion

Comment: Neonicotinoid ban not the best option

By
Recent articles in the Co-operator seem to suggest all beekeepers are calling for a ban on neonicotinoid seed treatments and that is far from the truth. While two of our member associations (the Ontario Beekeeper Association and the Federation des Apicultuers du Quebec) have publicly asked their respective governments to ban neonicotinoid seed treatments, this
News & Opinion, Opinion

Letters, Aug. 29, 2013

Re: ‘CWB fees not cause of producer car drop,’ Aug. 22 Ken Larsen disagrees with Mark Hemmes’ comment that changes in “board fees” have caused the decline in producer cars. In his argument, Mr. Larsen correctly asserts that under the single desk, producer car loaders “bypassed the inland elevator system and consequently saved paying the

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