Other & Farming Articles - Manitoba Co-operator

Alberta ag lender drops rural business loans

AFSC not taking new applications for program

By Dave Bedard, GFM Network News April 5, 2021

A program offering term loans to small- and medium-sized businesses in rural Alberta is off the provincial ag lending agency’s menu. Alberta’s Agriculture Financial Services Corp. (AFSC) announced Thursday it had discontinued its Rural Business Loan Program effective immediately, so as to “concentrate its efforts on agricultural producers and agribusinesses.” The decision means no new

“We’d like to hopefully close this chapter off and get rid of all the remaining restrictions related to BSE and put that behind us once and for all.” – Dennis Laycraft, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association

Livestock, News, Other

Cattle industry sharpens gaze on Asia with steps toward BSE risk downgrade

A jump to BSE-negligible status would dovetail with the beef sector’s plan to grow market share in Asia, where some of the last restrictions against Canadian beef still remain

By Alexis Stockford April 5, 2021

The Canadian beef sector’s trade goals for Asia may be about to hit a new stride, given new hopes for a downgrade to Canada’s international BSE risk status. In mid-March, the federal government announced that Canada’s application to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), which would move Canada’s status down to BSE negligible, had

“APAS has estimated the cost of producing an acre of wheat will increase by $12.50 by the time the carbon tax is fully implemented in 2030.” – Todd Lewis, APAS.

News, Other

Disappointment in Supreme Court’s carbon tax decision

In a 6-3 split the highest court in the land ruled reducing GHG emissions a national issue

By D.C. Fraser April 5, 2021

Producer groups across Canada are expressing disappointment with the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision to uphold a price on carbon as constitutional. In a March 25, 6-3 split, the court said that reducing greenhouse gas emissions is “a matter of national concern.” Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan had challenged the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, saying it interfered with provincial

Protests aren’t uncommon in agriculture, so some say it’s only a matter of time before farmers are on the receiving end of new ‘critical infrastructure’ protection legislation.

News, Other

Anti-protest bill threatens farmers’ rights to protest, says NFU

While some see Bill 57 as helping farmers, the long history of farmer protest suggests eventually it will affect them too

By Geralyn Wichers April 1, 2021

When considering the province’s ‘anti-protest’ protection of critical infrastructure bill, consider that farmers also have a long history of protest, the NFU says. “It’s going to affect the entire public,” said Anastasia Fyk, a board member with Manitoba’s branch of the National Farmers Union. Bill 57, the Protection of Critical Infrastructure Act, proposes to allow

Editorial, Op/Ed, Other

Editorial: Effective ag stabilization programs a must

By Laura Rance-Unger April 1, 2021

It’s tempting to look into the shadows for a deep, dark conspiracy behind the three Prairie provinces’ reluctance to fully support AgriStability. The farm income support program, cost shared 60-40 by the federal and provincial governments, compensates participating farmers if their farm income minus eligible expenses drops below a certain threshold. Farmers and their organizations

Other, Weather, Weather Vane

Weather: Chances for precipitation slipping away

Forecast covering the period from March 31 to April 6

By Daniel Bezte April 1, 2021

The last forecast did not really play out as predicted by the weather models, but that’s not too surprising for this time of the year. There is a lot of uncertainty once again for this forecast period as the models jump around with their forecasts trying to get a grip on the transition from winter

The dolls are a useful prop in the classroom for many projects and discussions.

Farmit Manitoba, Other

Matryoshka! Matryoshka!

These traditional nesting dolls are always a favourite with young and old

By Elma Maendel March 31, 2021

May I see that toy?” I requested, pointing to a painted wooden doll in the glass case behind the cash register. “Of course,” Tina Alvetina, the clerk smiled, unlocking and sliding open the door. “It’s a matryoshka,” she added, lifting out the nesting dolls. “Can you repeat that please?” I asked. “Matryoshka. It’s Russian, I believe. I’m originally from the

Comment, Op/Ed, Other

Comment: Let’s get ready to ‘build back better’

Canada needs a permanent solution to perennial transportation issues as part of its economic recovery

By Greg Cherewyk March 30, 2021

Build back better. It’s a catchy slogan – and a good idea. Throughout the pandemic, the Canadian agriculture and food industry has shown it is more than up to the task. But without the right practices, policies and infrastructure in place, it is becoming increasingly clear Canada will not be able to fully realize its

Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau.

Op/Ed, Opinion, Other

Opinion: Bibeau missed boat on grain drying

By D.C. Fraser March 30, 2021

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau had plenty of time to add grain drying as an eligible exemption under the federal carbon pricing plan, but ruled out doing so last year. Her and her colleagues shouldn’t now be standing in the way of cross-partisan support to address the issue. Let’s recap to see how

This aerial photo from the early 1960s shows the consolidated school in the field behind the village of Basswood.

Farmit Manitoba, Other

A pile of memories

Bulldozed snow mountain creates Tower of Babel for Basswood schoolchildren

By Mark Kihn March 29, 2021

I cannot imagine a better winter “toy” for Grade 3 farm boys than a bulldozed 14-foot-high mountain of snow in March. It literally was a pile of fun. Plus it may have had a few aspects in common with the ancient biblical “Tower of Babel.” Early March 1969, delivered a sudden blizzard and with it,

Daily Network News

ICE Canada Weekly: U.S. biodiesel mandate will be a boon for canola

CBOT weekly: Planted area in focus

Prairie Wheat Weekly: Western Canadian bids move upward

Other