News & Opinion & Farming Articles - Manitoba Co-operator

Representatives from Deerboine Colony display their trophy after taking first place in this year’s pork quality competition.

Pork quality on the rise in Manitoba

Judges were glad to note improvement in key quality areas during the pork quality competition at the Brandon Hog and Livestock Show

By Alexis Stockford January 13, 2020

The pork at Hog Days 2019 earned a “much improved” status, and judge Bob McKay couldn’t be happier. McKay praised entrants to this year’s pork quality competition, having noted low scores in several categories during the previous show two years ago. “I’m happy to see the improvement, because if we had gone the reverse and

Markets, News, Other

Bunge sells stake in U.S. ethanol plant

By Tom Polansek January 10, 2020

Bunge has ended its 13-year ownership interest in an Iowa ethanol plant, the company said on Jan. 2, following industry struggles with thin margins and overproduction. Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy, or SIRE, repurchased Bunge’s stake in the facility on Dec. 31, according to a statement. U.S. ethanol producers say the industry has suffered from the

Crops, News

A cover crop cocktail?

Pre-made mixes promise an easy jumping-off point on cover crops, but some worry that they increase the amount at risk

By Alexis Stockford January 9, 2020

Joe Gardiner of Clearwater has spent a lot of effort getting ahead of the curve on cover crops. His cover mixes can include up to 15 species in a season-long cover. He does relay cropping. He picks his seed to include a range of cool- and warm-season plants, legumes, forbs, broadleafs and grasses. He thinks

Crops, News

On-farm research can best answer producer questions

Good things happen when farmers take field research into commercial farms

By Angela Lovell January 9, 2020

For most people agriculture research starts and ends with the small-plot work of research scientists and plant breeders at places like the Brandon Research Centre. Passing by their fields along the Grand Valley Road during the growing season reveals a patchwork quilt of small plots looking at everything from disease resistance to trait expression. There are some good reasons for the

Markets, News

U.S. WASDE and Phase 1 deal to set tone for 2020

Expect North Dakota’s halted harvest to show up this week in USDA’s estimates

By Glen Hallick - MarketsFarm January 8, 2020

As the next supply-and-demand report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is scheduled to be released Jan. 10, traders in commodities markets will spend the next several days positioning themselves. The monthly world agriculture supply-and-demand estimates (WASDE) can set the tone in the markets for the next while, depending on its data. The belief

Local news, News, Other

Manitoba government proclaims Watershed District Act

District members had expressed concern that act would be delayed, complicating plans

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff January 8, 2020

The act that reforms conservation districts along watershed lines was proclaimed Dec. 30, slightly ahead of schedule. “This new model of improved watershed management strategies will improve the quality of our water in lakes, wetlands, rivers and streams, an important step towards mitigating climate change locally and globally,” said Blaine Pedersen, minister of Agriculture and

Markets, News

Thai chicken exports to China set to rise

The swine fever outbreak is providing market growth even as other markets falter

By Patpicha Tanakasempipat January 8, 2020

Reuters – Thailand’s chicken exports to China are forecast to increase by 60 per cent next year, a Thai industry association said Dec. 19, as China seeks alternative meat supplies after an outbreak of swine fever nearly halved its pig herd. China’s pig herd is about 40 per cent smaller than a year ago, Chinese

The next few months of feeding are critical to ensuring pregnancies survive the winter.

Livestock, News

Protecting cattle pregnancies

Experts weigh in as producers look to safeguard next year’s calves in the face of short feed

By Alexis Stockford January 6, 2020

Open rates are up in areas worst hit by Manitoba’s feed shortage. Now farmers must focus on protecting what they’ve got. Why it matters: Ranchers may already face a smaller calf crop next year after poor forage has yielded higher open rates, but the winter is far from over and short feed now might still

Conception rates have been a concern for vets and livestock specialists as early as last spring.

Livestock, News

Open cow rates sky high

Some cattle producers in the Interlake will have their calf crop cut by a quarter next year thanks to poor nutrition earlier this season

By Alexis Stockford January 6, 2020

Cattle vets are seeing their fears on fertility realized as more and more pregnancy checks come back open. Dr. Keri Hudson Reykdal, of Ashern, has noted alarmingly consistent open rates between 20 and 30 per cent, four to six times what she would expect in a normal year. Hudson Reykdal estimates a normal open rate

News, News & Opinion

Year in Review: Expect CGC to be under policy microscope in 2020

KAP doesn't want farmer protections or grain quality undermined

By Allan Dawson January 6, 2020

Expect more discussion about the Canadian Grain Commission’s (CGC) role and the Canada Grain Act in 2020. That could lead to legislative changes with implications for farmers, grain companies and Canada’s grain customers. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada started reviewing the CGC and the grain act last March. “Ultimately our goal is to have a set

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

News & Opinion