Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is working to develop a commercially available precision feeder.

Precision feeder for swine under development

Developers estimate that producers will be able to raise the same quality of carcass with 10 to 15 per cent less feed cost

Technology that will enable swine producers to cater to the specific feeding need of each individual pig will be moving into commercial trials early next year. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) dairy and swine research and development centre has been working towards the commercial development of a computerized precision feeder that will allow producers to

wheat midge insect

Manitoba crop insect and disease update

Conditions as of June 30, 2015

Summary Scout cereal crops for rusts, and consider whether fusarium is a risk. Insects noted in cereal crops include armyworms and cereal leaf beetle, although not at economic levels. Insect populations are currently light in canola and oilseed crops. Some higher levels of alfalfa weevil are still present in the Interlake. Read the full report on the


Blackleg infections girdle canola stalks preventing the plant from taking up moisture and nutrients. Sometimes the disease will appear in strips of what appears to be prematurely ripening canola, which occurs sometimes with sclerotinia, another fungal disease that attacks canola.

To spray or not to spray canola for blackleg?

Longer canola rotations and switching varieties can reduce the need and cost of a fungicide

The best time to spray canola with a fungicide to control blackleg is at the two- to four-leaf stage, but there are things farmers can do to avoid having to spray at all and save money, says Anastasia Kubinec, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development’s (MAFRD) oilseed specialist. “Blackleg becomes a greater risk when you

A farm employee pulls out cornstalks on an 18-hectare operation owned by a retired educator near Livingstone.  hotos: Shannon VanRaes

A mix of pragmatism and fear keeps GMOs out of Zambia

While the debate over GMO labelling continues in North America, Zambians take it for granted that they aren’t consuming products made with genetically modified ingredients

In Zambia, it’s practically everywhere. Maize is in tiny garden plots, on small farms, huge estates, in markets and on dinner plates. Since its introduction to Africa by the Portuguese in the 16th century, maize has become the main staple crop in this region. Two megalithic-size cobs even flank the entrance to the Zambia National



leafy spurge weed

Manitoba overhauling Noxious Weeds Act

Noxious weeds will be listed in three tiers with control action 
based on the threat to agriculture and natural areas

The Manitoba government is overhauling one of the oldest laws on its books — the Noxious Weeds Act — to bring it into line with current weed threats in the province. If passed, Bill 32, the Noxious Weeds Amendment Act, will put into statute much of what is already common practice — controlling weeds commiserate


cattle in a feedlot

Health Canada reviews water quality impact of popular growth promoter

Manitoba Beef Producers says the environmental benefits of growth hormones 
in cattle production outweigh the risks

More research has emerged suggesting that growth promoters used in the cattle-feeding business may persist in the environment longer than previously thought. Researchers at Indiana University’s Bloomington School of Public and Environmental Affairs found that while the synthetic testosterone known as trenbolone acetate or TBA breaks down in sunlight, darkness allows it to revert back

cow receiving a vaccination

Beef 911: Preventing negative side-effects of cattle vaccinations

It is good practice to take a walk through any recently vaccinated cattle to check for reactions

There are now a multitude of vaccines on the market for all facets of the beef and dairy industry. Vaccinating has become part of the biosecurity program on your farm, ranch or dairy. It is good for our industry as it controls disease, minimizes antibiotic use, improves production, and decreases death or losses from abortion.


bee on a flower

Surprisingly few ‘busy bees’ make global crops grow

Conservation of wild pollinators can’t be based on economics alone

A major international study published in Nature Communications, suggests that only two per cent of wild bee species pollinate 80 per cent of bee-pollinated crops worldwide. The study is one of the largest on bee pollination to date. While agricultural development and pesticides have been shown to produce sharp declines in many wild bee populations,

bee on a white flower

Growing a 4-H garden you can ‘Bee Proud’ of

4-H clubs can get free seeds to 
plant pollinator-friendly gardens

4-H Canada and Syngenta Canada have announced the second year of Proud to Bee a 4-H’er, an initiative where 4-H club members learn about bees and other pollinators by planting and tending pollinator-friendly gardens. Participating 4-H clubs will create bee-friendly habitats using Proud to Bee a 4-H’er bee-friendly seed packets. 4-H clubs that register for