News & Opinion & Farming Articles - Manitoba Co-operator

"We are stronger, together,” says Myron Krahn of the Manitoba Corn Growers Association.

Manitoba commodity groups choose name ahead of merger vote

The groups are hosting webinars to educate members of proposed plans

By Geralyn Wichers December 5, 2019

If members vote to amalgamate five Manitoba commodity groups, they’ll go forward under a new name: Manitoba Crop Alliance. “When we looked at the definition of the word alliance, which is an association formed for mutual benefit, we felt that summarized the intent of the amalgamation. We are stronger, together,” said Myron Krahn, Manitoba Corn

Manitoba agriculture minister Blaine Pedersen (l) said Loaf and Honey’s raw milk cheese-making process does not consistently produce a safe product. Dustin Peltier (r), seen here inside his cheese storage room, along with partner Rachel Isaak have decided to forgo any further attempts to comply due to financial burden.

Local news, News, Other

Agriculture minister Pedersen responds to cheese makers

Unvalidated production practices pose a risk to consumers, the minister said

By Geralyn Wichers December 3, 2019

Ag Minister Blaine Pedersen responded to Trappist cheese makers’ allegations that department staff blocked their approval, saying the province’s duty is to protect consumers. “Loaf and Honey has been unable to demonstrate through microbiological testing that the method it is using to produce raw milk cheese consistently produces a safe product,” said Pedersen in an

Marie-Claude Bibeau is embraced by Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after being presented as minister of Agriculture and Agri-food during the presentation of Trudeau’s new cabinet, at Rideau Hall November 20.

Markets, News, Other

Federal cabinet may need more tweaking

Westerners conspicuously absent in cabinet

By Glen Hallick - MarketsFarm December 2, 2019

Although Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made several changes to his federal cabinet on Nov. 20, the shortage of ministers from Western Canada remains a glaring issue. Of 37 cabinet members, including Trudeau, only five are from constituencies west of Ontario. Furthermore, Manitoba MP Dan Vandal, who was named minister of northern affairs, is the lone

Curtis Gervin was met with an injured cow after going out to feed cattle soon after hunting season started this year. He and his workers have since concluded that the animal was shot.

Livestock, Local news, News, Other

Time to tighten enforcement on land access after cow shot

Curtis Gervin says most hunters are responsible but it’s time for a crackdown on the bad apples

By Alexis Stockford December 2, 2019

Curtis Gervin wants more action on informed land access after he says one of his cows was shot in the head on his southwestern Manitoba farm. Gervin, who farms near Reston, noted blood and swelling on the face of the animal after going out to feed his cattle one morning, soon after the start of

Canada has a strong agri-food sector that ranks high in global measures of food safety performance.

News, Other

Quest to brand Canada’s food is drawing industry-wide interest

A recent two-day forum in Ottawa explored how Canada’s policy framework needs to change

By D.C. Fraser December 2, 2019

Canada2020’s David McInnes has a tough time hiding his excitement when talking about the future of food in the country. Over a two-day event in Ottawa, numerous speakers and delegates brought forward suggestions of how to shape the next agri-food policy agenda, as part of the Canada Food Brand project. “There’s been a tremendous refocus

Cam Dahl (centre), Cereals Canada president, shares a joke with Yasuo Sasaki (left), executive director of the Japanese Flour Millers Association at a recent new crop mission to Tokyo.

Cereals, News

Canada still has high-quality milling wheat to sell

But it may not be as easy to access following harvest challenges across the Prairies

By Allan Dawson November 29, 2019

A tough harvest has hit quality, but Western Canada still has the high-quality milling wheat it is famous for. That’s the message prospective buyers will hear at seminars this fall and early winter in Asia, Latin America, Italy, and North and West Africa. The events are organized by Cereals Canada, the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC)

Cereals, News

Mildew top degrading factor for CWRS grades No. 2, 3 and CW Feed

By Allan Dawson November 29, 2019

Based on early samples assessed by the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) through its Harvest Sample Program this fall, sprout damage was not the top factor reducing the grade of western Canadian wheat in the Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) class. The single biggest degrading factor was mildew affecting 24.7 per cent of the No. 2,

Northern ranchers argue that the regulations undermine long-term security for ranches made up mostly of Crown land.

Livestock, News

Beef producers seek fast lane for Crown land sales

Beef producers want more and faster privatization  efforts on Agricultural Crown Lands, but not everyone agrees

By Alexis Stockford November 29, 2019

Northern ranchers are not happy with changes to forage and grazing Crown land leases, but some say the issue would not be as critical if they could buy that land outright. Producers near Ste. Rose du Lac were among the producers calling for a fast track to Crown land privatization when Manitoba Beef Producers made

Educators Leah Obach and Devon Caldwell are adding "teaching teachers" to their resumés.

Local news, Other

The ‘Kenton Girls’ are educating the educators

Passion for teaching and lifelong learning leads two Manitoba teachers on a unique adventure

By Brenda Hunter November 29, 2019

As teachers and students from across the province headed back to school this fall, two women from Kenton embarked on new roles in the classroom of life. As educators, they have become teachers to the teachers, by taking their classroom roles to a whole other level with KG (Kenton Girls) Education, an online and in-person

You don’t have to finish harvest before filing your MASC Harvest Production Report. You have until Dec. 2.

Crops, Local news

MASC harvest production reports deadline Dec. 2

Farmers who file online will find out right away if they are in a claim position

By Allan Dawson November 28, 2019

The deadline for Manitoba farmers to submit crop insurance Harvest Production Reports to the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) is Dec. 2, whether the farmer completed harvest or not. Both the paper and online report forms should be easier for farmers to fill out because less information is now required, David Van Deynze, MASC’s vice-president

Daily Network News

The Canadian GMO mustard wars: Dijon vs canola

Australian farmers shift to less fertilizer-intensive crops as Iran war costs surge

India, Japan canola crops to be steady in 2026/27 – USDA

News & Opinion