News & Opinion & Farming Articles - Manitoba Co-operator

Flax farmers sought for French delegation

There is potential for more flax processing in Manitoba

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff June 10, 2015

Riverton-based Erosion Control Blanket (ECB) is sending 15 tonnes of Manitoba flax fibre and a delegation of Manitoba growers to France to explore the prospects for more processing in Manitoba. The flax fibre will be put through a decortication process, which separates the fibre from the woody core, and then processed into a mat that

two men standing in front of brick building

Country Crossroads, Local news

Practising medicine outside the city limits

University of Manitoba medical students say early exposure to rural life draws some into rural practice

By Jennifer Paige June 10, 2015

First-year medical students from the University of Manitoba got a dose of country life last week as part of an event showcasing the benefits of working and living in rural Manitoba communities. Thirty-three students from the University of Manitoba’s faculty of medicine were placed in 13 communities, including Brandon, Dauphin, Glenboro, Grandview, Hamiota, Neepawa, Rivers,

Crops, Local news, Weather

Manitoba Crop Report and Crop Weather report: Issue 6

Conditions as of June 7

By Manitoba Agriculture Food and Rural Development June 9, 2015

Weekly Provincial Summary Seeding operations are wrapping up for the 2015 season in Manitoba with progress estimated at 97 per cent complete. Crop types remaining to be seeded include canola and greenfeed. Reseeding of canola fields impacted by frost, insect activity, wind and excess moisture conditions is still occurring. Producers are also busy with herbicide

National news, Poultry

Avian influenza in U.S. poultry puts the squeeze on Canadian egg imports

Shipments are costing more and taking longer to get here

By Ron Friesen June 9, 2015

A major avian influenza outbreak in the United States is forcing Canada’s layer industry to scramble for imported eggs and pay through the nose for them. As the AI outbreak continues south of the border, Canadian importers must look further afield for processing eggs, increasing delivery times and transportation costs. Manitoba sources most of its

Beef cattle, Local news

Owners of Melita cattle export facility hope to rebuild after fire

In its peak season, Taylor Auction Mart in Melita was shipping eight to 12 loads of cattle a day

By Jennifer Paige June 8, 2015

A major cattle-exporting facility in southwestern Manitoba is out of commission after a devastating fire. “The entire structure burnt down. The main building, offices, staff rooms, lunch area, the barn — everything,” said Brock Taylor, who owns and operates the family-run Taylor Auction Mart just outside of Melita. “Our plan, in a perfect world, would

Opinion, Poultry

Editorial: It’s time to rethink poultry production

The bird flu epidemic has wiped out 12 per cent of U.S. egg-laying capacity in a matter of weeks

By Laura Rance-Unger June 8, 2015

The numbers surrounding the bird flu epidemic change each day. But they are staggering. Early this week, the USDA was reporting 197 confirmed outbreaks among poultry flocks with losses of 44.6 million fowl, many of them egg-laying hens. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) predicts the number of birds affected will climb to 50

Forages, Local news

Central Manitoba alfalfa in early bud stages, some Eastern producers already cutting

Forage and grassland conditions for Eastern, Central Manitoba and Western/Interlake as of June 3 and 4

By Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association June 5, 2015

This is the ninth release for the Green Gold program assessing forage conditions in Manitoba. Reports will be issued from various areas of the Province (Eastern, Central, Interlake, and Western) in the weeks and months ahead. Hay Day for both the Central and Eastern area is June 7 but haying has started, approximately June 10 for

Local news

Agriculture in the Classroom formalizes and elects chair

After more than 15 years of directing the Manitoba chapter of Agriculture in the Classroom, Johanne Ross has been elected as the chair of the national chapter

By Jennifer Paige June 5, 2015

A national chapter of Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) is now an official not-for-profit organization and has elected Manitoba’s Johanne Ross as its leader. Ross has led AITC-Manitoba as the executive director for more than 15 years. She began her new role as the chair of the organization’s national chapter on May 20. “Johanne has

Cereals, News

U.S. wheat industry alleges Canada discriminates

U.S. Wheat Associates says Canada’s grading system is like COOL in reverse

By Allan Dawson June 5, 2015

The United States’ wheat lobby is glad to be rid of Canada’s single-desk wheat seller; now it wants better access to Canadian wheat markets. U.S. Wheat Associates sent a letter to Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz May 20 saying Canadian wheat grading and varietal registration regulations unfairly discriminate against U.S. imports. “It is readily apparent to

Local news

Program helps more Manitoba companies reach markets

A spring launch at Red River Co-ops puts 60 new products from 17 companies on store shelves

By Lorraine Stevenson June 4, 2015

More niche and specialty made-in-Manitoba products will catch the eye of customers with the launch of 60 additional new products through the provincial Buy Manitoba program. The Manitoba Food Processors Association (MFPA) has helped Red River Co-op stores in Winnipeg link up with more than a dozen local food companies. It means new exposure for

Daily Network News

U.S. grains: Soy hits 17-month high, corn to four-month top as trade braces for U.S. data

Federal budget shows remaining disconnect between agriculture, policymakers, panelists say

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures continue downward

News & Opinion