News & Opinion & Farming Articles - Manitoba Co-operator

PHOTOS: Ag in Motion is underway!

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff July 21, 2015

Farmers and agribusinesses in Western Canada are seeing the latest agricultural technology in action at Ag In Motion, Western Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show. Set up on 320 acres 15 minutes northwest of Saskatoon, Sask., Ag in Motion features live demonstrations of field equipment, crops and services. Ag in Motion runs from July 21 to July

Livestock, Opinion

Outright repeal of COOL defies consumer sentiment

It was how the meat-packing industry applied the law that caused the negative effects on imports

By Daryll E. Ray, Harwood D. Schaffer July 21, 2015

The fate of the U.S. COOL (country-of-origin labelling) program for beef, pork, and poultry hangs in the balance as Congress goes on its Independence Day recess. Given the May 18, 2015 WTO (World Trade Organization) ruling against COOL, the threat of $3 billion in retaliatory tariffs being imposed on U.S. products by Canada and Mexico,

Crops, Local news, Weather

Manitoba Crop Report and Crop Weather report: Issue 12

Conditions as of July 20, 2015

By Manitoba Agriculture Food and Rural Development July 21, 2015

Another week of generally good growing conditions continues to advance crops across Manitoba. Localized thunderstorms did result in significant precipitation amounts in some areas of the province, while other areas would still benefit from additional moisture. Disease pressure and insect activity continues to be monitored as the growing season progresses. Click here for the Crop Weather Report for

Doug Wray is among several Alberta cattle producers experimenting with adding a variety of forages to feed his cattle. The mix adds important nutrients to the cattle’s diet, but also increases the diversity on the land.

Forages, Opinion

Editorial: Increasing your farming options

By Laura Rance-Unger July 20, 2015

Even in June, you could feel a drought in the making as we tramped across the bone-dry paddocks of Doug Wray’s ranch north of Calgary. Far from the lush, succulent feel of the pastures here in Manitoba, the grasses there rustled and crunched underfoot. Conditions haven’t improved — in fact, the situation out west has

The new Escarpment Habitat Protection Program is seeking landowners along the Manitoba Escarpment between the border and Riding Mountain National Park to voluntarily preserve their property, or parts of it, in its natural state in return for a one-time payment or tax receipt. The following participated in the program’s announcement July 8 at Alexander Ridge Park on the escarpment west of Miami, Man.: Tatiana Moroz (l), Manitoba Forestry Association, Kristen Malec, Manitoba Forestry Association, Tim Sopuck, CEO, Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation, Murray Seymour, chair, Pembina Valley Conservation District, Candice Bergen, MP Portage Lisgar and minister of state for social development, Roy Wood, chair, La Salle Redboine Conservation District, Justin Reid, manager, La Salle Redboine Conservation District and Cliff Greenfield, manager Pembina Valley Conservation District.

Local news

VIDEO: New voluntary program to protect Manitoba Escarpment

Participating landowners can still pasture livestock, produce hay, cut firewood and hunt,  but they can’t burn, break or drain the land

By Allan Dawson July 20, 2015

A new voluntary program will offer financial incentives to encourage landowners to protect and restore the Manitoba Escarpment’s natural cover in perpetuity. The goal is not only to conserve flora and fauna providing esthetic benefits, but improve downstream water quality and reduce flooding and costly damage to infrastructure, Cliff Greenfield, manager of the Pembina Valley

The Keystone Agriculture Producers held its general council meeting on July 8 in Brandon.

Crops, Local news

Condition of rural roads a major concern at KAP meeting

KAP members say rural road conditions are unacceptable and look to lobby for improvements

By Jennifer Paige July 17, 2015

Keystone Agriculture Producers debated who should take the title of Manitoba’s worst road as producers gathered here for a general council meeting July 8 and compared notes on the province’s crumbling rural roadways. Improving rural infrastructure was clearly a top priority to the province’s producers following a discussion over resolutions at the KAP general council

Traps to monitor adult moths of bertha armyworm are currently only at levels suggesting low risk of damage.

Crops, Local news

Manitoba crop insect and disease update

Conditions as of July 14, 2015

By Manitoba Agriculture Food and Rural Development July 16, 2015

Some localized higher populations of armyworms and grasshoppers are present. So scouting is encouraged, although in many cases populations are noticeable but not economical. Armyworms continue to be found in many cereal fields. In many fields they are noticeable but not economical, however some fields have had levels greater than the 4 or more larvae/ft2

Soybean plant with nematode-filled cysts.

Local news, Oilseeds

On the lookout for soybean cyst nematodes

But make no mistake, this new destructive pest is coming and farmers  can learn more about it July 22 at the SMART Soybean Day in Carman 

By Allan Dawson July 16, 2015

Soybean cyst nematodes haven’t been found in Manitoba yet. That’s the good news. The bad news is it’s only a matter of time until they are, says University of Manitoba soil scientist Mario Tenuta. But early detection will help farmers manage it. The search for the small, soil-borne, worm-like parasites that can dramatically reduce soybean

One of many crops near Roseisle, Man. hit by severe hail June 27.

Crops, Local news

MASC explains why sometimes it defers hail claims

Assessing loss is easier when the crop is still young or has set seed and harder in between those two stages

By Allan Dawson July 16, 2015

As this summer’s hail claims roll in, the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation’s assessment practices are being questioned by farmers who say the agency is too slow to cut a cheque. (MASC) says its spot loss hail insurance program is similar to what private hail insurance companies offer. But at least one Manitoba farmer disputes that

Researchers believe wild boars are more prevalent than many people realize.

Hogs, Local news

Tracking the elusive but destructive wild boar

The highly reclusive wild boar may be responsible for much more  crop damage than previously thought

By Shannon VanRaes July 16, 2015

Ruth Kost has never seen a wild boar before but she’s hoping that will change after a summer spent tracking the elusive beast. “They don’t like to show themselves,” said the University of Saskatchewan master’s student. “They are kind of reclusive, they avoid people… and they’re very aware of hunting pressures.” But just because you

Daily Network News

B.C. ostriches culled, CFIA confirms

U.S. livestock: Cattle, hogs end week on high note

U.S. grains: Soybeans bounce as Chinese demand assessed, wheat drops

News & Opinion

PHOTOS: Ag in Motion is underway!

Outright repeal of COOL defies consumer sentiment

Manitoba Crop Report and Crop Weather report: Issue 12

Editorial: Increasing your farming options

VIDEO: New voluntary program to protect Manitoba Escarpment

Condition of rural roads a major concern at KAP meeting

Manitoba crop insect and disease update

On the lookout for soybean cyst nematodes

MASC explains why sometimes it defers hail claims

Tracking the elusive but destructive wild boar

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