wheat grains in a person't hand

KAP says do homework before selling grain to unfamiliar buyers

History shows sometimes even trusted companies burn farmers

Sellers beware! In the post-monopoly wheat board era many new, unfamiliar grain buyers, often American, are offering to buy western Canadian grain. The Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) says farmers should do their homework before striking deals to avoid getting burned. “People will spend two weeks researching which cultivator shovel to buy so it doesn’t wear

Children's play structure in a playground

Cosmetics pesticide use will be history by 2015 in Manitoba

Critics have little confidence in Health Canada reviews of pesticides because its assessments 
are based on data supplied by industry

The Manitoba government has moved forward on its pledge to introduce legislation banning the use of synthetic chemical pesticides on school, daycare and hospital grounds, as well as on lawns. The legislation, which is expected to take effect in 2015, does not affect golf courses, agriculture or forestry, but cosmetic pesticide use will be restricted


Man speaking into microphone

KAP leaders asked to be more vocal on livestock issues

Issues ebb and flow but producers like to know their organizations 
are paying attention to their concerns

Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) leaders have been asked to pay more attention to problems facing Manitoba’s livestock producers. “I’d like to see KAP try to create more awareness in the future when it comes to livestock issues and at least mention it more often,” George Matheson, Manitoba Pork Council’s KAP representative, said during KAP’s general

Cargill grain terminal in Nesbitt, Manitoba

KAP wants open railway running rights to spur improved rail service

Delegates complain about the historically wide basis on grain prices 
at their spring general council meeting

Two major western farm groups called on the federal government to increase competition in rail transportation last week by granting running rights on national railroads. The calls from Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) and the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association (WCWGA) came as the senior railway officials continued to publicly defend their performance and lobby against


Flooding at Portage diversion in Manitoba.

Rural infrastructure to get cash infusion

The numbers look impressive, but the breakdown between provincial and municipal spending 
needs to be examined when funding is announced

Municipal officials are welcoming the provincial government’s commitment to invest in infrastructure over the next five years. “On the municipal side we were pleased with the announcements that came. It’s nowhere near enough to cover the $11-billion deficit that we have in infrastructure, but this is a pretty good start,” said Doug Dobrowolski, president of

Clubroot affects thousands of acres in Alberta where the disease was discovered 10 years ago. Two infected fields were confirmed in Manitoba earlier this year.

Oil industry can help fight spread of clubroot

KAP wants companies to clean their equipment between locations

Delegates also passed resolutions on water management, but won’t be 
organizing a mass demonstration at the legislature

Oilfield equipment needs to be cleaned as it enters and exits Manitoba farmland to prevent the spread of clubroot, says a resolution passed by the Keystone Agricultural Producers’ general council Oct. 17. It was one of six resolutions debated. Five were passed and one was defeated. “It’s not that big of a deal,” said Cromer


Be careful changing wheat registration

Western farm leaders say they oppose a push to allow new wheat varieties to be registered without meeting disease resistance, agronomy and end-use standards. The presidents of Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP), Agricultural Producers of Saskatchewan (APAS), and Wild Rose Agricultural Producers (WRAP), say the proposal put forward by rival group Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association



Kostyshyn pressed at KAP AGM about backstopping a hog stabilization program

The Manitoba government will soon announce whether it will guarantee a producer-funded stabilization program for Manitoba hog producers. “We’re hoping to come forward with some announcement in very short order,” Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn told Stonewall hog producer George Matheson Jan. 23 during the Keystone Agricultural Producers’ annual meeting in Winnipeg. “I do apologize for

Grain commission considering expanding security program to feed mills

The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) is considering whether it can expand its proposed new insurance-based payment security program to non-licensed buyers such as feed mills. “We at the commission have had some discussions about it and we’re looking at it,” CGC commissioner Murdoch MacKay told reporters after speaking at the Keystone Agricultural Producers’ (KAP) annual