News & Opinion & Farming Articles - Manitoba Co-operator

Editorial: Hope is not a strategy

By Laura Rance-Unger February 18, 2016

Purdue University’s Michael D. Boehlje offered Manitoba farmers a stern reality check last week about the tightening financial situation in farming. You might even say he was a bit grumpy about it. After all, he’s seen it all before. The 73-year-old Boehlje would have been in his 40s during the 1980s farm crisis, when prices

Manitoba Women’s Institute president-elect Ann Mandziuk (l) and president Donna Young celebrate being presented a first-ever Nellie McClung award presented to their organization during the Centennial Gala marking 100 years since women in Manitoba were given the right to vote.

Local news

Women’s Institute earns a ‘Nellie’ award

The rural women’s group is one of 10 recipients of the award presented in honour of the influential Manitoba feminist

By Lorraine Stevenson February 18, 2016

The Manitoba Women’s Institute is one of 10 recipients of the first-ever Nellie Awards presented by the Nellie McClung Foundation at its Centennial Gala late last month. The awards made in honour of one of this province’s most influential feminists were given out January 28, the centennial of women in Manitoba earning the right to

Skaters make their way to river trails near the historic site of The Forks, the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers in Winnipeg.

Local news

Cities have nutrient recycling role too, soil scientist says

Winnipeg continues to be the province's largest generator of nutrients such as phosphorous

By Shannon VanRaes February 18, 2016

It’s time to begin recycling nutrients from the province’s largest confined feeding operation — Winnipeg, a University of Manitoba soil scientist says. “If you look at Manitoba’s largest confined feeding operation, it is Winnipeg,” said Don Flaten, speaking at Crop Connect in Winnipeg last week. “And to just be putting the waste water nutrients into

MPSG executive director Francois Labelle.

Cereals, News

Grain shippers want emergency rules extended

Key clauses expire Aug. 1

By Allan Dawson February 18, 2016

Grain companies and farm groups want the federal government to extend regulations brought to deal with the grain transportation crisis of 2013-14 before they expire Aug. 1. The legislation formally known as Bill C-30 made several changes to the Canada Transportation Act, including expanding interswitching within 160 km of an interchange, instead of 30. It’s

Brent Kosie of Canterra Seeds (r) speaks to Anand Aneja while looking at seed samples at Crop Connect 2016 in Winnipeg. More than 600 farmers attended the annual two-day conference and trade show.

Crops, News

‘Collaboration’ the new buzzword for commodity groups

Fear of checkoff fatigue is driving the discussion about working together

By Allan Dawson February 18, 2016

Manitoba’s major checkoff-funded farm commodity groups are working with a consultant to explore increased collaboration aimed at giving farmers more bang for their levy bucks. “We are excited to see what this may evolve into and we are just at the initial stage,” Reston farmer and Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association (MWBGA) chair Fred

Manitoba Potato Production Days hosted a panel discussion on drones in Brandon on January 27. Dr. Ian MacRae (l to r), professor and extension entomologist at the University of Minnesota, Craig Linde, diversification specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Trevor Thornton, president of Crop Care Consulting, Darren White, agronomist with Delta Ag Services.

Crops, Local news

Discussing drones

A panel of industry experts sheds some light on the drone  landscape for producers interested in investing in the equipment

By Jennifer Paige February 17, 2016

Interested in diving into the world of drones? Start small, a panel of agronomists told farmers attending Manitoba Potato Production Days Jan. 27. “I would suggest starting with a small piece of equipment,” said Trevor Thornton, president of Crop Care Consulting. “A lot of guys want something that they can keep in their truck and

Crops, News

Western Grain Research Foundation announces five years of funding for AAFC wheat, barley breeding

The money will provide Agriculture Canada with stable funding despite changes in  wheat and barley checkoffs coming next year

By Allan Dawson February 17, 2016

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) will get steady funding for wheat and barley breeding over the next five years through the Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF). The WGRF is investing $21.4 million — $20 million and $1.4 million for wheat and barley, respectively, up until 2020, it said in a news release Feb. 8. The

Kalynn Spain, founder of Small Farms Manitoba hosted the organization’s second annual conference in Brandon on Saturday, January 23.

Country Crossroads, Local news

Small Farms Manitoba marks second anniversary

Small Farms Manitoba has a busy year ahead with a number of initiatives on the agenda, including website upgrades, strengthening industry relationships and the development of a food hub

By Jennifer Paige February 17, 2016

The founder of Small Farms Manitoba is hoping the organization can grow its membership and raise consumer awareness about locally produced foods. “Marketing yourself individually is important but we are also a community and a network and the bigger we can promote this across Manitoba, we can inform more consumers about the small-scale movement and

“We know we need to have more finisher barns in the province, we need to bring more balance between our production capacity, and our processing capacity.” – Andrew Dickson.

Hogs, Local news

Pork sector builds on hope

Four new barns will be built in 2016

By Shannon VanRaes February 17, 2016

After years of dealing with new diseases, hog barn restrictions and country-of-origin labelling, pork producers at the annual Manitoba Swine Seminar were told things are looking up for the industry. “There is a lot of good news,” said Andrew Dickson, general manager of the Manitoba Pork Council, during his state-of-the-industry address. He cited the U.S.

Hogs, Local news

MPC hopes to relaunch social media presence in wake of threats

Staff at the Manitoba Pork Council were threatened after a pig named Mercy was sent to slaughter

By Shannon VanRaes February 16, 2016

It started with a loose sow and ended with death threats. “It really got out of control very quickly,” said Andrew Dickson, general manager of the Manitoba Pork Council, recalling how public interest in a pig found near Winnipeg’s Perimeter Highway last May quickly evolved into something more sinister. Nicknamed “Mercy the Pig” the sow

Daily Network News

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

ICE Weekly: Trade waits for canola to break out

Advance Payments Program interest free limit set at $250,000 for 2026

News & Opinion