Daniel Winters

Manitoba plans to introduce legislation that will streamline compensation for economic loss from artificial flooding caused by the Shellmouth Dam and other water control projects. The proposed law would establish clear guidelines for the operation of Shellmouth Dam – which controls water levels on Lake of the Prairies – and other designated water control structures. […] Read more

Manitoba sees organic farming as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the province. The provincial government has allocated $100,000 over the next two years to help farmers willing to make the transition to certified organic status. “We know that there is an interest in boosting organic production, and we know that there is […] Read more

The Manitoba government insists that its pledge to become the first jurisdiction in North America to legislate its Kyoto commitment to reduce greenhouse gases won’t hurt farmers. Provincial energy minister Jim Rondeau said agriculture in the province accounts for 30 percent of overall emissions, or seven megatonnes (MT) per year. “We’re working with agriculture in […] Read more

A standby plan to humanely dispose of weanling piglets is in the works, said Manitoba Pork Council general manager Andrew Dickson. Amid a crushing downturn in the hog industry that has been exacerbated by the looming threat of country-of-origin labelling in the United States – the major buyer of Canadian feeder piglets – the value […] Read more

Compensation cheques have begun flowing to landowners along a proposed pipeline route expansion stretching from Hardisty, Alta., to Gretna, Man., into the United States. Dan Hacault, a spokesperson for the Manitoba Pipeline Landowners Association (MPLA), said that a year of negotiations wrapped up last fall ahead of the construction of the 1,600-kilometre Alberta Clipper and […] Read more

Phosphate fertilizer is the latest crop input to see soaring prices. The cost of products such as mono ammonium phosphate has more than doubled since last year. In a special report on pages 20-21, Western Producer Brandon reporter Daniel Winters examines the factors contributing to the escalating prices. Phosphate fertilizer shortages are expected to last […] Read more

With the price of granular phosphate fertilizer almost triple what it was last summer, Weldon Newton values his hog manure. The hog and grain farmer from Neepawa, Man, applies his livestock’s nutrient–rich manure on his fields, saving a lot on the fertilizer bill. But the manure meets only two-thirds of the nutrient needs and he […] Read more

The value of hog manure is rising even as its reputation suffers from its perceived role in contributing to water pollution. The price of commercial granular phosphate fertilizer has doubled to $1,200 a tonne from about $600 last fall, making hog manure’s phosphate content more valuable. Scott Dick, who operates Agra-Gold Consulting in Niverville, Man., […] Read more

The leaders of Western Canada’s three largest provincial farm groups have agreed to work together to pressure politicians on some of the biggest issues facing farmers. With high grain prices dampening political enthusiasm for supporting the Alternate Land Use Support (ALUS) program, Keystone Agricultural Producers president Ian Wishart pointed out that program could help beleaguered […] Read more