News & Opinion & Farming Articles - Manitoba Co-operator

(Former) Editor’s Take: Record exports are not a problem

By John Morriss July 25, 2019

Canadian farm organizations have been making the case for better business risk management programs, and with margins getting tighter, they may be justified. But farm leaders should ask for the right reasons, and they shouldn’t include market access problems or being caught in a trade war, especially when export demand has never been better. Hardly

Attendees at the Crop Diagnostic School earlier in July pore over an oat crop at the Ian N. Morrisson Research Farm in Carman.

Cereals, Local news

A thorn in the side of oat growers

Common buckthorn is a haven for crown rust spores over the winter and an easy source of infection if the farmer opts for a susceptible oat variety

By Alexis Stockford July 24, 2019

Oat growers may want to gauge the distance to the nearest woody stream bed the next time they choose a variety. That’s one of the messages sent out during this year’s Crop Diagnostic School in Carman in the first two weeks of July. Why it matters: Manitoba’s most popular oat varieties have either been downgraded

News, Other

Government support for Canadian farms well below global average

OECD remains critical of Canada’s supply management system

By Alex Binkley July 24, 2019

Canada remains the perennial Boy Scout of international agriculture policy. Canadian farmers receive less government support than producers in many other countries, according to the latest report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. However, the organization remains critical of supply management in the dairy and poultry sector. With the introduction of business risk

Regenerative agriculture uses grazing to improve forage yield, soil organic matter and even habitat in some cases.

Forages, Local news

Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association backs up regenerative ag

The movement is now an official cause for MFGA

By Alexis Stockford July 23, 2019

The Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association is officially endorsing regenerative agriculture. “MFGA’s interests in regenerative agriculture lie squarely in producing high-quality food while improving the natural ecosystem,” the position reads. “Regenerative agriculture” involves farm practices aimed at improving the landscape, soil health and biodiversity. Grazing is a key part of the system, including rotational or

JoAnne Buth looks back at a carer of change as she enters retirement.

Faces of ag, Farmit Manitoba, Local news, Other

JoAnne Buth: a life in agriculture

Cigi’s newly retired CEO didn’t have a plan, but walked through new doors as they opened

By Allan Dawson July 23, 2019

JoAnne Buth is an expert in removing mosquito ovaries. Her favourite insect is the weevil. She’s one of the newest members of the Canadian Agriculture Hall of Fame. And if you keep reading you’ll learn lots more about the recently retired CEO of Cigi — the Canadian International Grains Institute — and her auspicious agricultural

Canola shipments to China have been under scrutiny for years Buth said.

Farmit Manitoba, Local news, Other

Buth unsurprised by China’s Canadian canola ban

As canola council president she helped keep the border open in 2009 but suspected China would eventually try to ‘control things’

By Allan Dawson July 23, 2019

China’s ban on Canadian canola seed is something JoAnne Buth, a former president of the Canola Council of Canada, has been expecting since 2009. “In September 2009 we managed to negotiate with the Chinese to keep the border open on this whole issue,” Buth said in an interview May 22 as she prepared to retire

Packaged chicken legs in store refrigerator.

Local news, Other

Work to begin on Winnipeg food strategy

Food Matters Manitoba has been contracted to begin work on the food plan

By Geralyn Wichers July 22, 2019

Work is slated to begin on Winnipeg’s first food strategy with Food Matters Manitoba heading the effort. “Food Matters Manitoba has an excellent track record of deliver- ing programs and services in the community, and have been an essential partner in getting the Winnipeg Food Council off the ground,” said St. Vital councillor Brian Mayes,

KAP president Bill Campbell, who farms near Minto, says crop producers are thankful for the rain. Cattle producers continue to struggle with the fallout from prolonged drought.

Crops, Local news

Rainfall prevents drought disaster

Now it’s up to timely rains to finish the job this season

By Allan Dawson July 22, 2019

It was probably at least a billion-dollar rain. To the delight of many farmers, much of agro-Manitoba received badly needed precipitation between 1 a.m. July 8 and 7 a.m. July 10 Manitoba Agriculture’s weather stations show. (See map below) While last week’s rains came too late to prevent yield loss in some fields, it stopped

"Labour shortages in Canadian agriculture can only be addressed by taking decisive action.” – Portia MacDonald-Dewhirst, CAHRC executive director

News, Other

Farm human resources crunch to worsen

Grain, beef and horticulture production will be the hardest hit

By Alex Binkley July 19, 2019

There are no signs that Canadian agriculture’s labour crunch will be easing any time soon. In fact a recent labour market forecast from the Canadian Agriculture Human Resources Council (CAHRC) suggests the situation is set to worsen sharply over the next 10 years. That will limit future growth and delay expansion plans, the group says.

News, News & Opinion

Canada’s barley sector streamlining for synergy

Barley Council, Cereals Canada, CMBTC, Brewing and Malting Research Institute formalize collaboration

By Allan Dawson July 17, 2019

Canada’s barley industry wants to become more efficient and effective through increased co-operation, says Barley Council of Canada (BCC) chair Zenneth Faye. To that end the BCC “will undergo a strategic realignment” with Cereals Canada, the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre (CMBTC), and the Brewing and Malting Barley Research Institute (BMBRI) starting Aug. 1. “The

Daily Network News

Russian grain ship believed sunk in Ukrainian drone attack found, towed to shore, TASS says

Striking JBS workers to return to Colorado plant on promise of talks

Canadian finance minister talks supply chain integrity, pork tariffs with Chinese vice premier

News & Opinion