News & Opinion & Farming Articles - Manitoba Co-operator

Organic potatoes a tough row to hoe — but profitability makes the effort to produce them worthwhile

Kroeker Farms Ltd. has been growing organic potatoes since the early 2000s

By Lorraine Stevenson February 11, 2016

It was more than a hunch that prompted one of Canada’s leading potato producers to begin to transition a few acres to an organic production system in 1999. The evidence was mounting that organics had potential, said Wayne Rempel, CEO of Kroeker Farms Ltd. in an interview. “We felt that there was a growing market

Crops, Local news

Baker Colony wins 2015 corn yield competition with 241 bushels an acre

Annual contest is organized by the Manitoba Corn Growers Association

By Allan Dawson February 11, 2016

Baker Colony near MacGregor won the 2015 Manitoba Corn Growers Association’s corn competition with a yield of 241.05 bushels per acre. That beat the late Lorne Loeppky’s winning yield of 226.16 in 2014, but it’s still under the record 271.69 bushels an acre set by Baker Colony in 2013. Coincidently average Manitoba corn yields set

Ron Offutt, founder of Emeritus, the United States’ largest producer of potatoes, spoke about his business success on the final day of Manitoba Potato Production Days in Brandon on January 28.  photo: jennifer paige

Crops, Local news

International potato success

From a modest potato farmer to international capitalist, Ron Offutt says his success has come on the backs of strong partnerships

By Jennifer Paige February 10, 2016

International farmer and businessman, Ron Offutt contributes his success to strong partnerships, finding marketplace voids and focusing on customer satisfaction. “What has been a key to our success has been looking for a void in the marketplace and finding a way to fill that void,” said Offutt on the final day of Manitoba Potato Production

Livestock, Local news

Cattle industry cycle to trend lower through 2018

A livestock market expert predicts 2016 to be the third best year for cow-calf producers,  but sees vulnerability in summer stocker programs

By Jennifer Paige February 9, 2016

Cattle prices will continue to decline until 2018, but will remain profitable, says a livestock marketing expert. “2016-17 will not be the same as last year and our long-term forecast is that we are in a cyclical decline,” said Jim Robb, director of the Livestock Marketing Information Centre, who spoke on the current price situation

The CAPI report identifies consumer issues about food that include health, nutrition, food safety, sustainability, ethics, food security and reliability of supply.

News

The ultimate consumers’ choice award

Significant change is needed throughout the sector to secure Canada’s future global competitiveness

By Alex Binkley February 9, 2016

If farmers and food manufacturers want to be ranked world leaders, then they have to prove to Canadian consumers they deserve that status, says the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute. In the final report out of a process charting the industry’s future growth that began last fall, CAPI said the sector should consider setting a goal

News

China’s demand for food stays strong

China’s decreased rate of growth might be a concern for some, but agriculture should be fine as long as China’s consumers retain purchasing power

By Shannon VanRaes February 8, 2016

It was bound to happen. China’s economy is slowing down or at least its rate of growth is. However, those in the agriculture sector shouldn’t be concerned about the impact here at home, according to Farm Credit Canada’s chief agricultural economist. “We monitor China all the time, but especially a week ago when they released

Currency markets, News

Low dollar helps exporters

Canadian exporters are seeing increased profits due to a sagging loonie

By Shannon VanRaes February 8, 2016

While many industries are cursing the low Canadian dollar, the agriculture sector isn’t one of them. As the loonie continues to head towards the 60-cent range, Farm Credit Canada’s chief agricultural economist said there are benefits to those selling agricultural goods into other markets. “I think there is a benefit right now as we speak,”

Hogs, Opinion

Consumers trust farmers — but not farming

By Alan Guebert February 8, 2016

Despite claims to the opposite, the increasing chances of Donald—“You’re fired!”—Trump changing to “I, Donald—do solemnly swear—Trump” is not a sign of the coming apocalypse. Granted, the end could be closer than we think when any billionaire steps off his Boeing 757 airliner and declares, “I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and

Opinion

Editorial: Cultivating trust

By Laura Rance-Unger February 5, 2016

Nearly every farm conference agenda these days contains one or more speakers talking about consumer attitudes to farming, food and the agricultural sector’s “social licence.” The titles are often provocative, as in, “Will farmers be allowed to benefit from new technology?” or, “Don’t let your silence take away your licence to farm,” or, “Don’t let

Local news

Consumers seek paradise lost on grocery store shelves

Author Alan Levinovitz believes there is a role for storytelling in changing public perceptions of agriculture

By Shannon VanRaes February 5, 2016

What can a scholar of classical Chinese religions add to the agriculture debate? A lot as it turns out. Speaking at Keystone Agricultural Producers’ annual general meeting in downtown Winnipeg, Virginia-based author Alan Levinovitz said the debate around which foods are good for you and which are not has been going on for thousands of

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