cattle walking on a flooded field

Struggle to rebuild pasture after the flood(s)

One farmer tells his story and talks about how he restored his forage and feed acres

Just days after Tom Teichroeb moved his cattle onto higher land his pasture flooded. Already in mid-May of 2011, the water was starting to rise near his Langruth ranch. Some of the cattle had to swim to get across to the dry hayfield before they were moved 12 miles across the highway to a rented

people at a meeting

Assiniboine River Basin Initiative formed

The new organization will tackle water-related issues between 
Saskatchewan, Manitoba, North Dakota

A new grassroots group has emerged following a historic agreement in Regina this month to pursue a cross-boundary planning organization for the Assiniboine River basin. The three-day meeting held here last week laid the groundwork for the new organization to move forward and begin serving stakeholders in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and North Dakota, to seek co-ordinated


Man. farmers to get compensation for swamped land

Farmers around southern Manitoba’s Portage Diversion whose fields were submerged by the province’s flood-control efforts this summer can expect some compensation. The province on Wednesday pledged up to $1.15 million to compensate growers following last summer’s use of the Portage Diversion to help regulate water flow and protect rural and urban residents along the Assiniboine

man at auction with microphone in his hand

Livestock levy increase well received

Flooding is a major issue for Manitoba beef producers, but it’s only one of the many issues facing them today

It’s been nearly five months since the Manitoba Beef Producers levy went up to $3 a head, and producers have been gathering at district meetings to hear where that money has been going. Speaking to District 4 producers at the Grunthal Auction Mart, MBP’s general manager Melinda German explained that the increased levy — which


Simon Ellis, Manitoba farmer

With no AgriRecovery yet in sight, farmers face a tough winter ahead

KAP is still pushing for AgriRecovery to offset what was for many farmers a terrible growing season

It was a tough year for many Manitoba farmers and it could be an even tougher winter, according to farmers speaking at Keystone Agricultural Producers’ (KAP) fall General Council meeting Oct. 30. “There will be farmers who will not make land payments and machinery payments due to the fact they have not got their crop,

Areas that have traditionally been considered drought prone could actually become wetter under climate change.  file photo

Climate change doesn’t follow the rules

New research suggests the drier-gets-drier and 
wet-becomes-wetter rule of thumb is broken

New research is challenging the theory that climate change will cause drier areas to get drier and wetter areas to become wetter. The simplified formula, based on models and observations, is inaccurate most of the time, a team of climate researchers suggests in Nature Geoscience. An evaluation of trends in specific regions’ humidity and dryness


No need to run for cover

No need to run for cover

Have we reached a "tipping point" on the issue of land drainage?

For farm writers who value their safety, there are usually two cardinal rules — don’t print anything bad about any breed of cattle, and don’t put good news on the front page (you get calls saying that we shouldn’t give the impression that farmers have lots of money). For Manitoba farm writers however, there is

Worn down by the weather

A Manitoba farmer asks 
the sky ‘why?’


Dear Mother Nature, As Manitobans, we have developed a deep appreciation for the change of seasons and the wide variety of conditions you throw our way. We consider ourselves hardy, tough and adaptive. Normally, we embrace each season, grateful for the opportunities our environment provides for agriculture. But this year, sigh… you are wearing us


Summer flood bulletin #12

Province of Manitoba – A provincial state of emergency declared by the Manitoba government remains in place along the lower Assiniboine River from Portage la Prairie to Winnipeg to allow for preparations for high water flows expected to be at 2011 levels plus one foot. The Assiniboine River crest is expected to arrive at the

Weather volatility equates with price volatility in the markets.

Climate change heats up ‘quants’ versus old-school forecast battle

Will algorithms replace the traditional eye-on-the-sky approach to weather forecasting?

Computer scientists are picking a new fight with old-school meteorologists, claiming finally to have cracked the code on weather forecasting at a pivotal, profitable moment for the field, as climate change roils commodities markets and industries. Banks and traders are reporting outsized profits, and losses, on everything from natural gas to grains as severe weather