red river

South-central municipalities, cities fighting to keep water flowing

WORRIES | Struggling dairy farmers not out of water yet, but are being careful, digging new wells, says Dairy Farmers of Manitoba

The water co-op that supplies some water to houses, hospitals, businesses and farms in Morden, Winkler, Altona, Carman and many other south-central communities has been forced to install temporary water intakes in the Red River after water levels fell too low to reliably reach its system. “For us, our life is turned right upside down

Martha Bergman (front) was the visionary behind planting a garden in Winkler to create habitat for the endangered monarch butterfly. Members of the Winkler Horticultural Society and Winkler Art Gallery shared her vision. Also pictured are Betty Klassen (l to r) Margaret Penner, Tim Klassen, Valerie Harder, Sue Denison and Tanya Waino.

Putting the petal to the metal

A 500-lb. monarch butterfly is now featured in the newly planted butterfly garden next to the Winkler Art Gallery. The gallery is Winkler’s former water treatment plant

Planting a butterfly garden is a bit like hosting a party. You get everything ready, then hope those you invited show up. Members of the Winkler Horticultural Society are now eagerly awaiting the arrival of their orange and black attired guests to their own ‘garden party.’ This spring the group created a specially designed butterfly-friendly


Jack and Dianne Froese are the 2017 Red River Ex Farm Family of the Year.

Jack and Dianne Froese 2017 Red River Ex Farm Family

The Winkler couple has been recognized for commitment 
to the industry and environmental stewardship

Jack and Dianne Froese are the 2017 Red River Exhibition Farm Family of the Year. They operate Froese Enterprises near Winkler where they grow field crops, including pulses, soybeans and canola. They began farming in the 1970s and as young farmers they were interested in environmental stewardship, leading them to adopt numerous practices including cultivating environmentally friendly

New crops and varieties developed here will help expand market opportunities for vegetable farmers, says Keith Kuhl chair of Peak of the Market and Tracy Shinners-Carnelley, the grower co-operative’s director of research and quality enhancement.

Winkler-area research site to help expand markets for vegetable growers

Site will evaluate varieties and crop management techniques for 
fresh-market potatoes and carrots, and even sweet potatoes

Those orange-fleshed sweet potatoes Canadians love eating travel many miles to reach our dinner plates. Most are grown in the southern U.S., where a much longer and warmer growing season makes commercial production possible. Now new varietal research, underway near Winkler, may make field production of them possible in a Canadian climate too. Sweet potatoes


One of many crops near Roseisle, Man. hit by severe hail June 27.

MASC explains why sometimes it defers hail claims

Assessing loss is easier when the crop is still young or has set seed and harder in between those two stages

As this summer’s hail claims roll in, the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation’s assessment practices are being questioned by farmers who say the agency is too slow to cut a cheque. (MASC) says its spot loss hail insurance program is similar to what private hail insurance companies offer. But at least one Manitoba farmer disputes that

A severe thunderstorm the afternoon of Saturday June 27 hit near the Roseisle area west of Carman. Many fields in the area were destroyed or damaged by hail including this soybean field at the Junction of  PR 240 and 245.

Manitoba Crop Report and Crop Weather report: Issue 9

Conditions as of June 29

Weekly Provincial Summary Severe weather systems containing strong winds, heavy rains and hail passed through isolated areas in several Regions of Manitoba. Damage to crops from hail and strong winds range from light to severe with assessments continuing over the next several days. However, overall good growing conditions continue to advance crops, as well as allowing


black and white image of a farm gate

Rural Manitoba struggles with population growth

Retired statistician maps out future of labour market

Looming labour shortages due to mass migration to and around cities have made rural development much more difficult than it used to be, according to a retired statistician. While rural populations in Manitoba overall are still growing by .6 per cent, since 1996, places farther away from Brandon, Winnipeg and Winkler are not faring as

A four-year study will assess the effects of farmland being taken out of production.

Farmland loss study to begin in 2014

Study to include a look at subdivisions for growing population in southern Manitoba

Loss of farmland to subdivisions, strip malls and other non-agricultural uses is the focus of a cross-Canada research project getting underway this spring. The amount of productive farmland being lost is well documented, said Doug Ramsey, a professor in Brandon University’s department of rural development. He will partner with a research team across Canada for