News & Opinion & Farming Articles - Manitoba Co-operator

Manitoba researcher receives international recognition

Cynthia Grant recently retired from AAFC in Brandon

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff December 30, 2015

Cynthia Grant, an internationally recognized plant nutrition researcher, has two new awards to add to her collection. The International Plant Nutrition Institute recently awarded Grant the 2015 IPNI Science Award, which recognizes outstanding achievements in research, extension, or education. The award is focused on efficient management of plant nutrients and their positive interaction in fully

Opinion

Considering Churchill’s future

With melting permafrost, is Churchill's rail line viable over the long term?

By Jim Collinson December 29, 2015

A sudden, substantial drop in grain exports from Churchill this summer raises questions about the long-term economic viability of the port. A comprehensive review is needed to identify costs, benefits and risks associated with saving the railway, along with alternative economic opportunities for a port community on Hudson Bay without rail access. Federal and provincial

Did you know?, News

Save the planet: Eat more bacon, less lettuce

Vegetables use more resources and produce more  greenhouse gases per calorie

By Carnegie Mellon University December 29, 2015

Contrary to recent headlines — and a talk by actor Arnold Schwarzenegger at the United Nations Paris Climate Change Conference — eating a vegetarian diet could contribute to climate change. In fact, according to new research from Carnegie Mellon University, following the USDA recommendations to consume more fruits, vegetables, dairy and seafood is more harmful

Opinion

Editorial: A place of refuge

By Laura Rance-Unger December 24, 2015

The news, including our own front page story this week, is full of stories these days about the preparations for and arrival of Canada’s newest citizens, many of them refugees from wartorn Syria. The stories are heartwarming and hopeful: Toronto schoolchildren learning to sing a welcome song in Arabic, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau personally greeting

border lineup (trucks) - Glen Nicoll
051110.12

Livestock, News

COOL demise a costly victory for Canadian producers

It took eight years and billions of dollars, but ultimately trade law prevailed in securing the labelling law’s repeal

By Alex Binkley December 24, 2015

UPDATED: Dec. 29 – After nearly eight years and millions of dollars spent fighting it at the World Trade Organization and billions in lower prices for Canadian beef and hog producers, the U.S. mandatory country-of-origin labelling program has been repealed. The end came Dec. 18 when both houses of the U.S. Congress passed a massive

Manitoba Hydro staff have been running hard this week clearing ice from power lines. This Hydro employee was knocking hoarfrost off a line three miles west of Miami, Man., Thursday (Dec. 17) afternoon. Power outages have occurred in many areas of Manitoba, especially in south-central and western regions. In some cases transmission lines have been damaged, while in others Manitoba Hydro has turned the power off so staff could clear the lines. Some people on social media have reported being without electricity for 12 hours.

Local news

Need for more disaster planning in rural Manitoba

A seminar Jan. 14 in Portage la Prairie will look at how the risk environment is changing in rural Manitoba

By Laura Rance-Unger December 24, 2015

Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to prepare for disaster. The Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) and the Manitoba governments Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) want input from municipal leaders, emergency co-ordinators, rural businesses and ordinary citizens on how best to prepare for climate change in the face

Local news

First Nations interested in buying Churchill port and railway from OmniTrax Canada

A letter of intent has been accepted triggering a 45-day due diligence period in which both parties will work together to ensure that a purchase becomes a reality

By Allan Dawson December 24, 2015

The sooner the Port of Churchill and the rail line that serves it have a new owner the better, says Sinclair Harrison, president of the Hudson Bay Route Association (HBRA), an organization that supports and promotes the Hudson Bay Railway and Canada’s only deepwater ocean port. “We’re heading into another year and so long as

Mayor of the municipality of Norfolk, Neil Christoffersen (l) and councillor, Bill Wieler (r), see value in having a strong partnership with their conservation district.

Crops, Local news

Norfolk builds retention ponds to aid watershed management

Conservation Champions: Members of the municipality of Norfolk council say their partnerships are win-win

By Jennifer Paige December 23, 2015

A solid relationship between the municipal council and the local conservation district has benefited both in the RM of Norfolk, local officials say. “There are a lot of drains in our municipality that the conservation district looks after, so that is huge for us,” said Bill Wieler, a councillor with the municipality. “We have always

Crops, Local news

Phosphorus recovery can complement source reduction

Globally, it's estimated that one-third of all phosphorous applied is lost to water due to erosion, leaching and run-off

By Julienne Isaacs December 23, 2015

A Manitoba engineer says phosphorus (P) recovery methods can be an important addition to the province’s phosphorus management strategies. Francesco Zurzolo, an engineer specializing in nutrient management and reduction with Dillon Consulting, says Manitoba is dealing with eutrophication and destruction of important ecosystems due to P buildup. Zurzolo spoke at the Manitoba Environmental Industries Association’s

News

Canada trailing in science-based innovation

Governments and industry share responsibility to increase investment in innovation

By Alex Binkley December 23, 2015

Canada has fallen behind many of its global competitors when it comes to science-based innovation in its key economic sectors, says a federal advisory panel. The greatest failure has been “in private-sector investment in research and development,” said a new report from the Science Technology Innovation Council (STIC). “Despite ongoing efforts to improve Canada’s lagging

Daily Network News

Southern California honeybees show resistance to varroa mites

Pulse Weekly: SaskPulse optimistic despite input, crop price concerns

Canadian aquaculture should be classed as agriculture, industry groups say

News & Opinion