On a windy afternoon May 2, Michael Canning of Prairielane Farms near Deleau, Man., was seeding spring wheat into canola stubble. “We’ve started a bit early this year. We’ve got lighter land out here,” said Canning, who crops about 1,000 acres on a 4,000 acre grain, forage and cattle farm with his father Blaine. “Barley […] Read more
Stories by Daniel Winters
Man. parties unveil biofuel platforms
Manitoba agriculture minister Rosann Wowchuk is defending her government’s record on promoting biodiesel and ethanol. In the month before the last election in June 2003, Wowchuk was promising tax breaks for small-scale ethanol plants combined with cattle feedlots or hog farms. The livestock would be fed the dried distillers grains leftover from ethanol production, creating […] Read more
Farmer raises livestock that always return home
A white dove soaring into the heavens is powerful symbolism for many people. That experience is precisely what Ken Dodman and his wife, Joanne, provide. The owners of White Dove Release, who live on an acreage north of Brandon, started offering the service at funerals, weddings and other public events about two years ago. “We’ve […] Read more
Host farms save rare breeds
There is a way for farmers to help preserve rare breeds of livestock, even if they don’t want to shell out the cash to buy them. Rare Breeds Canada offers farmers and landowners the option of becoming a host farm for cattle, sheep and horses. Under the program, the organization places animals it owns on […] Read more
Farm story passed down through ages
Fifteen years ago, when Marvin Elder heard from his wife, a teacher, that many of her students hadn’t a clue where their food came from, he decided to volunteer with Agriculture in the Classroom – Manitoba Inc. “It wasn’t long after Margaret started teaching at Virden. Even in a small, rural place like that, she […] Read more
Ag education centre gets gov’t funds
The Manitoba government will give $900,000 to the University of Manitoba to help it build a one-of-a-kind farm education centre that is expected to attract up to 30,000 visitors a year. “The Glenlea Farm Education Centre will bolster Manitoba’s position as a centre of excellence in food science education and environmental research,” said provincial agriculture […] Read more
Hog review hears from producers, critics
VIRDEN, Man. – A mixed bag of hog views were submitted to the Manitoba Clean Environment Commission hearing in Virden last week. About 25 people attended the meeting, which was part of the provincial government’s investigation into the sustainability of the hog industry. Local producers supported their operations, residents talked about how pig barns had […] Read more
Man. tweaks biofuel law
The Manitoba government has introduced new biofuel legislation as way to increase biodiesel market development and ensure quality. “We are excited about the potential the biofuels industry holds for Manitoba,” said science, technology, energy and mines minister Jim Rondeau. “This new legislation will provide the framework to ensure real and sustained growth of the ethanol […] Read more
Manitoba tackles illegal drainage
Illegal drainers, beware. Fourteen new water resource officers will be posted throughout Manitoba to enforce the province’s water legislation. Water stewardship minister Christine Melnick said tougher enforcement will mean heftier fines for breaking the law, up to $2,000 per offence. “Proper drainage of water on agricultural lands is critical, not only for optimal production of […] Read more
More soil survey staff
Manitoba will expand its soil survey program by creating eight new positions in Minnedosa. “An effective soil survey program provides vital information with a range of applications from land-use planning to crop insurance assessment,” said provincial agriculture minister Rosann Wowchuk said. “This expansion will significantly enhance Manitoba’s soil survey capacity.” She said Minnedosa is an […] Read more
