News & Opinion & Farming Articles - Manitoba Co-operator

Manitoba Beef Producers president Tom Teichroeb addressed worries on Agricultural Crown Land changes, and what MBP will do about them, during a packed lease holders' meeting in Ste. Rose du Lac Oct. 2, 2019.

Year in Review: Crown lands saga continues

Crown land changes were a hot-button topic for northern ranchers in 2019, but with promised rule changes still incoming, it's not over yet

By Alexis Stockford January 4, 2020

The province’s agricultural Crown lands overhaul went from a simmer to a boil in late 2019 — and northern ranchers are still roiling. Crown lands were gridlocked to start off the year. The province froze all new lease agreements or unit transfers as of fall 2018, after changes to the Crown Lands Act got royal

News, News & Opinion

Year in Review: Local food producers struggle ahead

Lack of supply chains, business risk management programs, and clear regulations are keeping local food from reaching its full potential in Manitoba, say producers, experts

By Geralyn Wichers January 3, 2020

Manitoba has a way to go before it’s a friendly place for small food and drink producers, several articles demonstrated throughout the year. Be it crippling regulations, lack of risk management programs for small farmers, or simply lack of local supply chains, several factors say Manitoba’s local food system has yet to fully mature. “It

News

Year in review: Ranchers brace for another short feed winter

It’s a bad case of deja vu for livestock producers facing stressed pastures come 2020

By Alexis Stockford December 27, 2019

Livestock producers were already starting from behind in 2019. Producers were already looking at a feed shortage after drought conditions stuck much of the province in 2018, particularly areas of southwest Manitoba and the Interlake. Most of agricultural Manitoba had qualified for the federal livestock tax deferral program in 2018 — a program that allows

A mature wheat crop in southern Saskatchewan, on Sept. 2, 2018.

News

Year in review: Cereal royalty discussions expected to resume soon

Seed industry had hoped issue would be settled by now

By Allan Dawson December 26, 2019

Prairie farmers will be talking about cereal royalties again this year. When public discussions on collecting more royalties from farmers to help fund new cereal varieties started in November 2018 the federal government targeted the spring of 2019 to report on farmer feedback on the seed industry’s two proposed options. But farmer opposition to both

Many Manitoba farmers felt the pain of a hard season.

Crops, Local news, Other

Manitoba farmers challenged by 2019 crop

The worst part was the ‘harvest from hell’, which for some still isn’t over

By Allan Dawson December 24, 2019

Too dry, too wet and then it snowed. Lots. That sums up Manitoba’s 2019 growing season, culminating with the “harvest from hell,” which for some farmers won’t end until spring. “I have often said it’s not a good sign when you’re harvesting and they’re playing Christmas carols on the radio,” Minto farmer and Keystone Agricultural

MBFI staff bring cattle through a series of pens during a low-stress cattle-handling workshop last month, including a transitional box to catch any strays before separated cattle are moved on through the system.

Livestock, News

‘Stop that cow!’

An argument for transitional pens

By Alexis Stockford December 24, 2019

‘Stop that cow!’ Most cattle-handling disasters start with that panic, knee-jerk call, ranch safety consultant Reg Steward says — and it’s usually directed towards those least prepared for it. It’s not uncommon for a small- or medium-size farmer to turn to spouses or children to help guard a gate while moving cattle, he said. Those

Theatre board chair Sharon Currie speaks to the roughly 40 people at the ribbon cutting on Dec. 20.

Local news, News, Other

Pilot Mound celebrates opening of new community theatre

It's Lights! Camera! Action! as Tivoli Community Theatre pulls back the curtain

By Geralyn Wichers December 24, 2019

Roll film! Pilot Mound’s brand new Tivoli Theatre is open—after what can only be described as a fundraising marathon. “It’s just amazing. It is kind of a little surreal that it’s here now,” said Gisele Harding, a theatre board member. “Kids will have a place to come.” On Dec. 20, board members cut the ribbon

A producer uses a bale processor to feed hay.

Livestock, News, Other

Steps to stretch limited hay supplies

All options must be closely evaluated while keeping an eye on the bottom line to ensure carrying animals through winter is realistic

By NDSU Release December 23, 2019

Harvest and transport challenges have left many livestock producers facing a shortage of hay. That has some producers worrying they do not have enough forage on hand at this time to meet winter feed needs. “There are numerous strategies that can be used to help stretch limited forage supplies,” said Janna Block, extension livestock systems

Local news, News, Other

Alum a useful tool to combat toxic algae

The chemical has been used in the U.S. to clear lakes of algal blooms but hasn’t seen widespread acceptance in Canada

By Geralyn Wichers December 23, 2019

It’s no magic bullet, but aluminum sulphate can significantly reduce toxic algal blooms in lakes, American scientist John Holz told conservationists at a Winnipeg conference on December 3. “It is a common tool,” said Holz, whose company HAB Aquatic Solutions, has done 104 applications of the product, also called ‘alum,’ in the U.S. Holz spoke

Markets, News

After a tough year for cattle producers, optimism for 2020

Stronger demand, lower supply expected to buoy market

By Glen Hallick - MarketsFarm December 23, 2019

There’s good reason to be more optimistic in 2020 than in 2019 in the Manitoba cattle market, according to Rick Wright of Heartland Buying Order Company. Wright expects to see stronger demand for cattle in the spring coupled with a shorter supply. “A better spring in 2020 than we had in the previous year. Past

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