Three hot, dry summers in a row have favoured increased grasshopper populations. photo: JOHN GAVLOSKI

The other meaning of BMPs: Better Managing Precipitation

SOIL HEALTH Soil practices for carbon sequestration can do double duty to help with water woes

One by one, they used different words to tell the same tale. The worry was evident across the board. “Dry … starting to get really worried,” said one Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association board member about their family dairy farm north of Minnedosa. “Grasshoppers already … full of them … clouds of them as you

Example of an on-farm water retention project in the SRRWD.

Water retention projects can pay off

Cost-benefit analysis shows most farms see a net benefit

An International Institute for Sustainable Development report says farms, particularly livestock operations, can see significant benefits from water retention projects installed on their land. The report is the culmination of a study of 10 water retention projects within the Seine Rat Rousseau Watershed District that began in 2019. The projects fall under Agriculture and Agri-Food


A mulch of dry leaves helps protect a perennial border.

Protecting plants from winter damage

You’ll be glad you did when you see healthy plants come back in the spring

Late October/early November is the ideal time to plan on how you are going to protect vulnerable plants from our severe winter. The first step has hopefully already been taken where you have chosen most of your plants that are hardy to your climate zone. Many gardeners, however, like to try a few “challenging” plants

(UCCS.ucdavis.edu)

California communities beg for relief from drought restrictions

Sacramento | Reuters — California communities where a wet winter has filled reservoirs and begun ameliorating the state’s catastrophic four-year drought begged water regulators on Wednesday to reduce or eliminate emergency conservation measures imposed last year. Facing pushback from aggravated consumers under the ongoing rules, water utilities say they will have little credibility asking for


Don Flaten speaks to visitors during the National Centre for Livestock and the Environment’s 2014 field day at the Glenlea Research Station.

Glenlea Research Station opens its fields to the public on July 8

Mark your calendar to come walk the fields, check out the plots and the composting at this year’s Glenlea field day

Like any long-term commitment, it takes experimentation to keep things lively. Such is the case at the Glenlea Research Station, home to Canada’s oldest organic rotation study, which opens its fields to the public next week. Visitors will have the opportunity to check out some of the new and existing research being done at Glenlea

California tightens water regulations amid long drought

Sacramento | Reuters — Water regulators in California voted on Tuesday to outlaw watering the lawn within 48 hours of a rainstorm, the latest effort to spur Californians to conserve as the state enters its fourth year of drought. Facing a dramatic slowdown in voluntary conservation efforts by property owners, the state Water Resources Control


Tests at HELP International show that recycled rubber tire rings allow weeds to gradually infiltrate the planting site of a hybrid poplar. The recycled grain bag rings after the same period of time do a better job of protecting the seedling.  photo: HELP International

NGO sees gold mine in recycled grain bags

Old, used grain bags are big, bulky, and present a disposal headache for farmers. But for Rodney Sidloski, the CEO of Weyburn, Saskatchewan-based Help International, they are a potential gold mine. “We can potentially see a retail value of up to $4,000 out of a bag that brand new only cost the farmer about $1,000,”

Gardening in the shade

Many plants will actually thrive in shady areas There are many garden plants that can not only survive, but thrive in the shade, like annuals such as begonia, lobelia and sweet potato and perennials such as astilbe, bleeding heart and hosta. If you have a shady area, here’re some tips:  Shade gardening often means


Water for the future

A new report on future water demand in Pembina Valley Conservation District — already a frugal user of water — points to need for conservation strategy

Report underscores need to conserve now Residents in the Pembina Valley Conservation District use less water than the average Manitoban, but that won’t spare them from a water shortage expected to hit within the next 25 years — unless ways are found now to use even less. Those are conclusions drawn from a three-year water

Sustainability through xeriscaping

Whether it’s called xeriscaping, water-smart gardening or environmentally friendly planting, this water-efficient concept can be built into your existing gardening plans, either all at once or on a year-by-year basis. Xeriscaping involves selection of annual and perennial plants, shrubs, trees and vines that perform well in our region and require minimal supplemental irrigation. Landscapes of