Water for the future

A new report on future water demand in Pembina Valley Conservation District — already a frugal user of water — points to need for conservation strategy

Report underscores need to conserve now Residents in the Pembina Valley Conservation District use less water than the average Manitoban, but that won’t spare them from a water shortage expected to hit within the next 25 years — unless ways are found now to use even less. Those are conclusions drawn from a three-year water

Farm community rallies around one of its own

Manitoba’s rural community is rallying around a Ste. Rose farm family who lost their home to a fire April 28 while they were in Winnipeg receiving leukemia treatments for their critically ill toddler. Friends say Rob and Erin Brunel have been overwhelmed by outpouring of support. Brunel is well known for his activities in farm


Loonie expected to remain slightly below parity

Commodity News Service Canada / The loonie will likely remain slightly below parity with the U.S. greenback as continued global economic uncertainty will weigh on the Canadian currency, predicts currency analyst Greg Moore. The FX Strategist with TD Securities in Toronto expects the Canadian dollar to trade around 97 cents in the second quarter and around

Farmers have a positive outlook, for good reason

A recent survey by Farm Credit Canada found 80 per cent of farmers feel positive about the future and Agriculture Canada’s latest income forecasts will add to the rosy outlook. Net farm cash income for 2011 was $11.7 billion, Agriculture Canada said in a report. Factoring in depreciation cuts that number in half, but it


Seaway set to open but seasonal outlook uncertain

After posting modest growth in 2011 despite a shaky North American economy, the St. Lawrence Seaway opens March 22 amidst upbeat predictions. However, everyone tempers their forecasts with a caution about the prospect for Canadian and American grain exports. While there’s plenty of grain in North America, there’s also more grain supplies around the world.

Recipe Swap – for Aug. 11, 2011

APPLE RASPBERRY CLAFOUTIS (PRONOUNCED KLA-FOO-TEE) Here’s a recipe found in another well-thumbed cookbook found at the yardsale. The cover was missing on this cookbook full of fruit desserts, but I gather its origins are the Okanagan, seeing references to Penticton and Osoyoos. A traditional clafoutis is a baked French dessert made with cherries so this


Strong Canadian Dollar Here To Stay

The fundamentals continue to support a strong Canadian dollar, according to a market analyst. “Our forecast is for the Canadian dollar to hit US$1.05 in Q2, and we’re probably getting there a little faster than anticipated,” said David Watt, senior currency strategist with RBC Capital Markets. The Canadian dollar was sitting above US$1.04 on April

Bank Of Canada Wary Of Commodity Market Reform

World leaders should proceed with caution in efforts to crack down on speculation in commodity markets and must first understand what is causing prices to rise, the Bank of Canada said Feb. 10. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is chairing the G20 this year, has put reform of the commodity derivatives market near the top


Canadian Dollar Heading Back To Parity

The Canadian dollar is back within a cent of parity with its U.S. counterpart after seeing some choppy activity in recent weeks. The currency is expected to hold near parity, and likely move above the level, through 2011, according to an analyst. In the third quarter of 2010 the Canadian dollar was under-performing other international

Dollar Seen Softer In Coming Months – for Sep. 9, 2010

The Canadian dollar rallied sharply on Sept. 1 in response to a renewed appetite for risk in the global financial markets. But a generally softer tone is more likely over the next several months given the general economic uncertainty still pervading the globe, according to a currency analyst. Matthew Strauss, senior currency strategist with RBC