CWB Will Push For More Farmer Control – for Aug. 12, 2010

“What I’m hearing from farmers is they do want more control over their own democracy, they want clearer rules when it comes to election of directors, fewer directives from Ottawa and only used in exceptional circumstances.” Making sure farm-e rs control the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) and not the federal government has become a top

CWB Will Push For More Farmer Control – for Aug. 12, 2010

Making sure farm-e rs control the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) and not the federal government has become a top priority for CWB chair Allen Oberg and the CWB’s board of directors. The CWB’s board voted at its meeting last month to clarify and enhance farmer control of the marketing agency, Oberg, who farms at Forestberg,


CWB Turns 75 Years Old

“This milestone is particularly significant to many international customers, who view our longevity as a sign of stability in an often volatile world market environment.” – CWB CHAIRMAN ALLEN OBERG The Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) turned 75 years old July 5. Loved by some and despised by others, its future is far from clear. The

New SRM Subsidy Expected To Raise Cow Prices

Cattle producers should see improved prices for cull cows as a result of a federal slaughterhouse program launched last week. Ottawa will spend $25 million, or $31.90 per animal, to help packing plants cover the extra cost of removing specified risk materials (SRMs) from beef carcasses. That’ll encourage Canada’s packers to bid more for cows,

Flood Aid From Ag Ministers’ Meeting?

“We’re not arguing about whether or not (there’s a problem) it’s how to deal with it.” – IAN WISHART It seems no one is quibbling with the scale of the disaster of soaked, unseeded fields and drowned crops in Western Canada this year. The ongoing debate right now is how best to respond. Ian Wishart,


Stop importing slaughter horses

I strongly disagree with the letter from Cathy Halbesma “Horses, not breeders, need protection” in the June 17 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator. We believe in the humane treatment of all types of animals in the slaughterhouse. What we disagree with is the Americans dumping their slaughter horses onto our market. When you raise horses

CWB voter eligibility changes justified

We welcome readers’comments on issues that have been covered in the Manitoba Co-operator. In most cases we cannot accept “open” letters or copies of letters which have been sent to several publications. Letters are subject to editing for length or taste. We suggest a maximum of about 300 words. When your Conservative government introduced legislation

Pellerin Leaves CFA Presidency

“My reputation as a farm leader has been built around the fact that I was able to bring people together to find consensus.” – LAURENT PELLERIN Laurent Pellerin is leaving the Canadian Federation of Agriculture after less than two years as president. Pellerin has been named as the new chair of the Farm Products Council


In Brief… – for May. 27, 2010

Another barn fire: An empty chicken barn in the Steinbach area went up in flames May 19. Steinbach RCMP says it received an early-morning call and arrived at the scene south of the city to find the barn fully engulfed in flames. The fire resulted in the total loss of the barn, that had an

More Rural Internet Service Promised

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff has been trying to build up his party’s profile in rural Canada with policy pronouncements on firearms and food policy. He didn’t get much reaction until he announced May 4 that a Liberal government would ensure high-speed Internet service right across Canada. Industry Minister Tony Clement quickly defended the Harper government’s