Michigan State University Archives - Manitoba Co-operator

Late blight is just one seed-borne disease that makes planting clean seed potato pieces important.

Plant clean seed potatoes

Selecting and planting disease-free potato seed pieces is the crucial first step to assuring a successful potato crop

By Fred Springborn, Monica Jean May 4, 2017

Starting the season with disease-free potato seed stock is the first step in establishing a good stand that will maximize yield potential. There are several diseases growers should be concerned with when selecting seed potatoes that will produce vigorous uniform stands, especially potato leafroll virus, potato virus Y, also known as “common mosaic,” and late

Researchers have found that light impacts hormone levels in cows and can have a positive impact on milk yield. photo: supplied

Dairy cattle, Livestock

Creating a natural rhythm

Lighting experts suggest the correct light intensity and duration can have  positive effects on the health, fertility, welfare and productivity of dairy cattle

By Jennifer Paige January 10, 2017

The lighting in your barn may be having more of an effect than you realize. “The livestock’s biological clock is regulated by light striking the pituitary gland in the middle of the brain. A lack of light depresses metabolism and causes increased melatonin output. We see this effect in the shorter days of winter,” said

The growth chamber system can reproduce past weather patterns, down to exact daily fluctuations.

Did you know?, News

Growth chamber system ‘test drives’ new varieties

Cameras can detect and quantify signals produced by plants

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff October 24, 2016

Following the lead of automakers who torture test their cars on special tracks that simulate real driving conditions, researchers at Michigan State University have developed a system to test drive new plant varieties before they reach the field. Called DEPI — Dynamic Environmental Photosynthetic Imaging — the system uses sensors, cameras and software to reproduce

A graduate student works with common beans in a greenhouse at North Dakota State University.

Crops, Pulses

Pulses toward back of research pack

While biotechnology has made big changes to some types of crop production, pulses remain underfunded

By Shannon VanRaes October 5, 2016

When competing against staple crops like corn, wheat and rice, pulses get the short end of the research funding stick. Speaking to a crowd of biotechnology insiders at the Agricultural Bioscience International Conference in Fargo, North Dakota last week, Professor Irvin Widders said the sheer variety of pulse crops guarantees funding will be spread across

Crops, Forages, Weather

Green Gold (Central): Time to assess frost damage

June 5, 2013

Here is the first release for the scissor clipping project for 2013. This year we will be reporting from various areas of the province (eastern, central, Interlake, western). For the central report, the fields that are being sampled are in the south-central and Arborg areas. Site RFV PEAQ RFV NIR Height CP Arborg 268 212

Crops, International news, News

Taller children through better crop rotation

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff March 16, 2013

Researchers at Michigan State University crop rotation with legumes and other soil-management practices have increased Malawian crop yields by 50 to 200 per cent compared to monoculture. Trials at one village have been so successful that children have gained weight and height to the point where they now meet international norms for healthy children. MSU

Hogs, Livestock

Good gilt management improves lifetime productivity

By Bernie Peet November 29, 2012

Genetic progress in litter size has been rapid over the last 15 years, with an annual improvement in the range of 0.2 – 0.3 total born. For many producers, litter size is no longer a limiting factor to achieving a high number of pigs born per sow per year. Today’s challenges now centre around maximizing

News, Opinion

Agriculture takes three of five “useless” college degrees

February 15, 2012

Internet news site Yahoo Education recently published an article titled “College Majors that are Useless.” Agriculture topped the list, followed by fashion design, theatre, animal science and horticulture. The Yahoo article’s rationale was largely based on the projected continuing decline in the numbers of farms in the U.S. “In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor

Crops, Forages, Livestock

Develop strategies to reduce feed waste

By NDSU Release January 24, 2012

Hay loss and feed waste are inevitable components of most beef production systems. “However, understanding the sources of hay loss from storage and feeding, as well as the impacts of restricting access to hay, can allow producers to develop strategies to optimize feed utilization on their operations,” says Carl Dahlen, North Dakota State University Extension

Country Crossroads

Ag Societies Make A Difference

By Lorraine Stevenson January 20, 2011

When Chuck Puchailo was asked to run the light horse show for his Gilbert Plains/ Grandview agricultural society, he turned to his teenage daughter for some help. Chenise Puchailo was happy to lend her dad a hand. The show went well and buoyed by its success, she agreed to co-chair the event the following year.

Daily Network News

How we’re tracking avian flu’s toll on wildlife across North America

Case IH reveals new Optum tractor at Agritechnica 2025

B.C. ostriches culled, CFIA confirms

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