News & Opinion & Farming Articles - Manitoba Co-operator

Leila Dehabadi puts corn at the centre of new, more efficient technology for separating water from ethanol.

Water out of wine

New University of Saskatchewan chemistry research could  pave the way for cheaper gas and booze

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff November 20, 2017

A University of Saskatchewan PhD chemistry student has devised a new and more energy-efficient way to separate water from ethanol. Leila Dehabadi is using starch-based materials such as corn, and can extract the water without using additional energy to isolate the ethanol, which could reduce the cost of biofuels. “Compared to distillation, this new approach

Brady Deaton, a University of Guelph agricultural economist and McCain Family Chair in Food Security, was the University of Manitoba’s 2017 Kraft Lecturer.
His lecture underscored the importance of communities, such as First Nations, progressing when they have authority to manage themselves instead of being constrained by rules such as the Indian Act. This was the 9th annual Kraft Lecture created in memoriam of renowned University of Manitoba agricultural economist DarylKraft.

Local news, Other

Local control key to better resource management

Brady Deaton, the University of Manitoba’s 9th annual Kraft Lecturer, says the Indian Act prevents First Nations from taking action to improve their citizens’ well-being

By Allan Dawson November 17, 2017

Justin Trudeau has promised to end boil-water advisories on First Nations, but some could fix the problem themselves by working with neighbours if First Nations controlled their land, says University of Guelph agricultural economist and McCain Family Chair in Food Security, Brady Deaton. “With respect to land, I am arguing the Indian Act basically removes

Bovine tuberculosis was one of two major issues brought up during a recent meeting of the Manitoba Beef Producers and Manitoba Sustainable Development, members are told during a Nov. 8 district meeting in Roblin.

Beef cattle, Local news

Manitoba Beef Producers sets eyes on 2021 TB-free goal

Manitoba Beef Producers hopes to get the province back on the USDA’s tuberculosis-free list, saying negative tests from wildlife proves its point

By Alexis Stockford November 17, 2017

Beef producers around Riding Mountain National Park have their hopes riding on a good hunting season. Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) is waiting on the newest round of bovine tuberculosis tests, sampled from deer and elk harvested near the national park, in a bid to convince the U.S. Department of Agriculture that Manitoba is free of

Editorial, Opinion, Other

Editorial: Wheels within wheels

By Gord Gilmour November 16, 2017

Canada’s current debate over carbon pricing, and Manitoba’s response to the federal requirements, highlight the complexities of making public policy. The federal government wants Canadian businesses, households and individuals to emit less carbon. That’s going to mean burning fewer fuels, using what we do use more efficiently and many other changes large and small throughout

While the most concerning proposed small corporation tax reforms have been shelved there are still a couple of areas of concern, MNP accountant Mike Poole told KAP’s recent advisory council meeting.

News, Other

Still some potential pitfalls in proposed federal tax reforms

Accountant hopes effects are manageable

By Allan Dawson November 16, 2017

The federal government’s revised tax change proposals have got rid of the most egregious problems, but a few provisions could still cost farmers money. That’s according to Mike Poole, a Brandon-based accountant with MNP, at a recent Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) advisory meeting. “I think it’s relatively small and manageable,” Poole told reporters after speaking

Beef cattle, Local news

Beef Producers sees carbon policy as a win, but still has some worries

Manitoba Beef Producers saw some of its priorities reflected in the province’s proposed carbon plan, but say input prices are still a concern

By Alexis Stockford November 16, 2017

Manitoba Beef Producers has checked exemptions for on-farm emissions and farm fuel off its carbon policy wish list, but it’s not done yet. MBP general manager Brian Lemon says there’s still plenty of advocacy work to be done on the details on the plan. Read more: Manitoba carbon plan targets lower rates Read more: Mazier defends

Local news, Pulses

Manitoba bean producers faring well following harvest

Weaker Canadian dollar is offsetting the effects of a weakening in the bean market

By Ashley Robinson - MarketsFarm November 15, 2017

After a decent dry bean harvest in Manitoba the market is quieting down as the crop begins to ship to the American and Mexican markets. “We’ve had active movement here right at harvest time… during the next four weeks we’ll see it quiet down over the Christmas period,” said Grant Fehr, market segment manager for

Most of Manitoba has decent soil moisture, but there’s still plenty of concern in other parts of Western Canada.

Crops, News, Weather

Parched Prairies settle in for frigid winter

Big portions of Western Canada remain very dry headed into winter

By Dave Sims November 15, 2017

Much of Manitoba may have adequate soil moisture, but the same can’t be said for your colleague to the west. Timely snows will be badly needed this winter to insulate drought-stricken areas of Western Canada from what are expected to be cold temperatures. Multiple areas of southern Saskatchewan are locked in a D-4 drought, which

A high school rodeo competitor teaches how to grip the bull rope to students from Earl Oxford School Oct. 26.

Livestock, Local news

Students see rodeo first hand

Ag Ex once again brought in the region’s Grades 6-8 students for a look behind the scenes at rodeo

By Alexis Stockford November 15, 2017

If you asked Brandon’s middle schoolers how a bull rider grips his rope on Oct. 25, you would probably get silence. If you asked the same question a day later, they might be able to answer. Riding rough stock was one, but not the only, topic at the Keystone Centre’s main arena as the region’s

Grade 3-5 students “bid” on animals during the mock auction at Moo!Mania Oct. 24 in Brandon.

Livestock, Local news

Bridging the gap between urban and beef farm

Elementary students from southwest Manitoba beat the Ag Ex crowds Oct. 24 with an agricultural education event around cattle

By Alexis Stockford November 15, 2017

The day before Ag Ex is all about setup for most, but the festivities were already in full swing for 360 of the region’s Grade 3-5 students. Moo!Mania, the fair’s nod to public education and the cattle industry, returned in the lead-up to the fair. One of three major events organized by the Provincial Exhibition

Daily Network News

ICE weekly: War news driving canola markets

War is increasing food prices, insecurity say IMF, World Bank and UN food agency

B.C. agrochemical startup gets $1.2M in federal funding

News & Opinion