... the health of one soil can be very different from the health of another and both are healthy.” – David Lobb, University of Manitoba.

Soil health a moving target

There’s no one-size-fits-all measure of soil health, David Lobb says

Saying a soil is ‘healthy’ isn’t something simple like running through a checklist. David Lobb, a soil scientist at the University of Manitoba says it’s a moving target that takes many variables into account. There are hundreds of different soils across the province, thousands across the country and the development of each one moves toward

Michelle Schram, with her young son, on the farm she co-runs with husband Troy Stozek near Cartwright.

Women more likely to run non-conventional farms: report

EQUALITY | Access to land, social capital and difference in interests, skills may account for the trend

While women are less likely than men to farm in Manitoba, inequality appears to be lower for women in direct marketing or non-conventional farms, according to a recent report from the University of Manitoba. “There is a dynamic that women face that young men don’t face entering farming, but I also think that that’s changing


drone pilot in cornfield

Young farmers spurred by fundamental human reasons: study

Land access the No. 1 obstacle to starting or continuing farming

Land access the No. 1 obstacle to starting or continuing farming

Young farmers’ motivations to farm despite the obstacles they face are striking and important, says an author of a new study from the University of Manitoba. Researcher Annette Desmarais said she was glad, perhaps a bit surprised to see young farmers wanted to farm so they could spend time with family, be closer to nature, and feel

Annemieke Farenhorst hosts University of Manitoba researchers Emma McGeough, Doug Cattani and Francis Zvomuya in a webinar explaining their intermediate wheatgrass study on October 21.

Study looks at economics of wheatgrass as dual-purpose crop

University of Manitoba researchers will look at the economics of intermediate wheatgrass and its environmental footprint

A new study is looking at intermediate wheatgrass’s potential to be both cash crop and quality forage in the same year. Intermediate wheatgrass is a perennial grain sometimes known by the trade name ‘Kernza.’ It has historically been used as forage in North America, but in its recent years has been pegged as the most


Don Flaten.

Flaten recognized for outreach and community engagement

The soil science professor has been presented an award from the University of Manitoba

Don Flaten’s tireless efforts to engage and reach the province’s agricultural community have been recognized by his employer. The University of Manitoba has given him its Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Campbell Outreach Award “for meritorious service in outreach activities.” The honour is given to university staff members who “consistently invest countless hours of time and

U of M student Calum Morrison, along with Professor Yvonne Lawley, are digging into cover crop use on the Prairies in an ongoing survey.

Survey looks for those who’ve grown cover crops – or haven’t

The University of Manitoba study looks to quantify cover crop production across the Prairies

University of Manitoba researchers want to hear from producers growing cover crops – and those who’ve yet to grow them. The survey of cover crops on the Prairies is in its second year, and is calling on all farmers to tell them if they grew a cover crop in 2020 — and if they didn’t, what they


Jessica Nicksy visits her plots at Libau, Manitoba.

Urban waste shows promise as fertilizer

A University of Manitoba study looked at how to incorporate phosphorus from the city as plant nutrition in the field

Three products made from urban wastes show promise as organic fertilizers — and as ways to cycle nutrients from the city back to the farm, a University of Manitoba study shows. “It’s really important that we start the conversation about having a circular food system rather than a linear food system,” said Jessica Nicksy, a

University of Manitoba to helm protein research

University of Manitoba to helm protein research

Up to $100,000 in federal, provincial funds promised to develop research strategy

Researchers at the University of Manitoba will lead the charge to develop a new protein research plan as part of the Manitoba Protein Advantage strategy. The governments of Canada and Manitoba will give up to $100,000 in funding to develop the research strategy and establish a protein research chair, announced federal ag minister Marie-Claude Bibeau


Don Flaten toasts the graduating class in this photo, tweeted by the U of M Aggies account.

Diploma in Agriculture students celebrate with virtual convocation

Pandemic realities prevented the usual acknowledgement of this achievement for students

Sixty-four students received their diplomas in agriculture during the University of Manitoba online convocation ceremonies held June 29. Pete Giesbrecht from Winkler received the Governor General’s Bronze Medal, an award given to the graduate with the highest academic standing in the two-year Diploma Program in Agriculture. Noah de Rocquigny from St. Claude was the recipient

The Mini ROTT at its unveiling demonstration at Glenlea Research Farm July 16.

Rollover training tractor unveiled

The collaboration by three Manitoba groups is aimed at building a safer farm sector

A new agriculture safety tool to train operators to prevent tractor rollovers has been unveiled by a Manitoba collaboration. The University of Manitoba (UM), Red River College (RRC) and Keystone Agricultural Producers, demonstrated the Mini Roll Over Training Tractor (Mini ROTT) at the UM’s Glenlea Research Station on July 16. The teaching vehicle will help