News & Opinion & Farming Articles - Manitoba Co-operator

Will it be beef or bison?

Glacier FarmMedia Special Report: Some see more opportunity for increased bison sales to the EU than for beef

By Barb Glen, Gfm Staff March 23, 2016

Glacier FarmMedia assembled a team of reporters from its network of publications, which includes the Manitoba Co-operator, to examine the implications of Canada’s new trade deal with the European Union on Canadian agriculture and food processing. In coming weeks, watch for a series of articles that zero in on the challenge Canadian agriculture faces turning

Livestock, News

COOL continues to obstruct sheep industry

Manitoba representative on the Canadian Sheep Federation doubts quick resolution of COOL restrictions

By Jennifer Paige March 23, 2016

Canadian sheep producers remain stranded by country-of-origin labelling (COOL) restrictions, even as beef and pork producers have seen relief. According to Herman Bouw, Manitoba sheep producer and director of the Manitoba Sheep Association (MSA), COOL continues to affect the sector, isolating it from the U.S. market, due to active lobbying from the American sheep industry.

News

Public trust starts with conversation, says food industry

How to start talking to consumers is the key question for Canadian companies and farmers

By Alex Binkley March 23, 2016

The companies that make up the food supply chain — everyone from farm supply companies to processors and retailers — want and need to build public trust and credibility. Farmers need to be a central part of that effort, a number of speakers told the annual meeting of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. Chantelle Donohue,

While overall beer consumption is seen as flat, the amount of craft beer produced in North America has been rising.

Cereals, News

Craft brewing gives malt barley prices a hop

Acres are seen rising by about five per cent this spring

By Jade Markus March 23, 2016

The craft brewing industry appears to be providing the fastest-rising demand for malt barley, which has been steadily pushing prices higher — but overall reduced demand for beer and increased acres could keep a lid on that strong pricing. “Many maltsters are either 100 per cent craft, or moving the percentages up all the time

Wetland undergoing restoration to retain additional water in the basin.

Livestock, Local news

Wetland restoration relies on farmer participation

MHHC is seeking more landowners interested in wetland restoration on their property,  something that can benefit them and those downstream

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff March 23, 2016

A Deloraine-area wetland restoration project is showing how farmers can work with habitat organizations to alleviate downstream flooding, while retaining water for their own use. The Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation project, on properties owned by Gord Weidenhamer and Glenn Scott, is restoring a 32-acre wetland that was drained years ago by previous owners. Weidenhamer said

border lineup (trucks) - Glen Nicoll
051110.12

Livestock, News

COOL gone but border irritants remain for meat shipments

Canadian meat trucks are being held up at the border, which is costing time and fees

By Alex Binkley March 23, 2016

The United States has removed its country-of-origin labelling program but has found another way to delay shipments of Canadian meat, says Jim Laws, president of the Canadian Meat Council. Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay needs to intervene in the dispute, which puts Canadian exporters at a great cost disadvantage compared to U.S. companies shipping meat to

Markets, News

Freer trade still comes with strings attached

Glacier FarmMedia Special Report: Industry officials say they must continue efforts to reduce or eliminate non-tariff trade barriers

By Gfm Staff, Lisa Guenther March 22, 2016

Glacier FarmMedia assembled a team of reporters from its network of publications, which includes the Manitoba Co-operator, to examine the implications of Canada’s new trade deal with the European Union on Canadian agriculture and food processing. In coming weeks, watch for a series of articles that zero in on the challenge Canadian agriculture faces turning

Markets, News

European Union tariffs to be eliminated

Glacier FarmMedia Special Report

By AAFC March 22, 2016

Upon ratification, EU tariffs will be eliminated on: Durum and high-quality common wheat (currently set at a maximum $190/tonne and $122/tonne, respectively); Fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, including fresh cherries (EU seasonal tariffs currently reach as high as 12 per cent), fresh apples (EU seasonal tariffs reaching as high as nine per cent), and

A Canadian Steamship Lines lake freighter entering Duluth Ship Canal at Duluth, Minnesota.

News

Seaway shippers say conditions are good, but business is bad

The ice is clear and the water is high, but business is slow and there are too many ships for the existing cargo flow

By Alex Binkley March 22, 2016

As the 2016 St. Lawrence Seaway season is set to open, shipping conditions are promising but business conditions are worrisome. Unlike other season openers, no thick ice blocks the Great Lakes and water levels are high enough to make mariners smile. Economic headwinds, however, threaten to limit the volume of traffic. Bruce Hodgson, director of

Local news

Desperate Hydro expropriation tactics

The publicly owned utility appears bent on completing expropriations prior to the April 19 election

By Jim Collinson March 22, 2016

Recent expropriation tactics by Manitoba Hydro toward farmers show how desperate the current government is to complete Bipole III and prevent any reconsideration of alternatives after the election. In reality, there is no urgent need for the immediate expropriation. The use of RCMP teams as backup to access land yet to be negotiated is a

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