Domestic Market Access Stymied

The articles “Trade Rules Stymies Ontario Farmer” (March 4) and “Ewe Numbers Down” (March 4) both explain why there are not more sheep in Manitoba and, in general, Canada. Where are we supposed to market them? How do you serve your customers with limited slaughter and that great a distance to access? Who is butchering

Letters – for Mar. 11, 2010

Unaffordable efficiencies Twelve years ago, I was told that having fewer and bigger elevators would be more efficient and better for me. Today, the tariff at these new, efficient, inland grain terminals is at least 50 per cent higher than it was 12 years ago. I was also told 12 years ago, that if the


Wildlife Group Opposes Riding Mountain Elk Cull

“They’re going in there and taking out healthy animals.” – DALE GARNHAM, MWF Manitoba hunters are up in arms over Parks Canada’s handling of a wildlife cull to control tuberculosis among elk in Riding Mountain National Park. The Manitoba Wildlife Federation opposes the cull in principle but says if it has to occur, it shouldn’t

Cattle Cycle Has Bottomed Out, Says Wright

“Miraculously, in the last year, producers have found every record they had since March of 1999, and are age verifying cows at an alarming rate.” – RICK WRIGHT Cow-calf producers take heart, better times may be on the way. A mass sell-off of cattle around the world driven by years of low prices has finally


Solution To Bee Colony Deaths Found

Long the scourge of beehives, the varroa mite has emerged as the leading suspect in the mysterious decline of honeybee colonies across Canada, says a University of Guelph researcher. In an article in the online scientific publication Apidologie, which is devoted to bees, Ernesto Guzman and his research team say that 85 per cent of

KSU Publishes Valuable Swine Research

Bernie Peet is president of Pork Chain Consulting Ltd. of Lacombe, Alberta, and editor of Western Hog Journal. His columns will run every second week in the Manitoba Co-operator. The swine research team at Kansas State University, under the leadership of Dr. Mike Tokach, has an enviable reputation for carrying out practical and relevant research.



Cattle Producers Call For Predator Bounties

“The populations have just gotten way out of hand.” – SHEILA MOWAT, MCPA Acall by Manitoba cattle producers for a province-wide bounty on wildlife predators looks like a non-starter with the NDP government. “We’re not about to introduce a general provincial removal program for coyotes and wolves,” said Barry Verbiwski, Manitoba Conservation’s head of problem


U. S. Cattle Prices To Improve

Slaughter and feeder cattle values in the U. S. should see some improvement over the next two years, although strong feed grain prices and competition from other protein sources may limit the profitability, said analyst James Robb, of the Colorado-based Livestock Marketing Information Center, or LMIC, in a presentation at the Canadian Wheat Board’s annual

Cattle Demand Outstrips Supply

The numb er of animals marketed at Manitoba’s cattle auction yards during the week ended Feb. 26 held fairly steady although demand was classified as strong. Prices for the cattle were steady to stronger, depending on the animal type and quality. “It was definitely a banner week for prices and demand,” said Rick Wright, a