Bruce Bertram, who in 1982 invented the Ram power snare that he manufactures in Birtle, Man., said sales of trapping supplies have been booming lately. “There’s a lot of recreational trapping now that was never very big before,” he said. “Business lately has been really good.” Another reason for greater interest in trapping is the […] Read more
Stories by Daniel Winters
Brandon gets OK for second shift
Maple Leaf will be able to steam ahead with its plan to expand hog processing at its Brandon plant now that Manitoba Conservation has approved its application for amendments to its environmental licence. This means that once the company’s $10 million upgrade to the City of Brandon’s waste water treatment facility is completed by mid-2007, […] Read more
Wintering in fields builds healthy soils
Letting your cattle do the work of rejuvenating an old forage stand is a cheap way to put nutrients back into the soil, says Jeff Schoenau, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan. It may involve little more than selectively overwintering cattle on hay land, where the nutrients are needed most. This can be done […] Read more
Man. family designs biodiesel factory
A Manitoba family with a background in marine diesel mechanics is helping bring biodiesel production a step closer to reality for the average farmer. Celtic Power and Machining Ltd. of Rapid City has developed a portable biodiesel production system expected to sell for around $300,000. “We’re building it geared towards the ag community,” said Gavin […] Read more
Rancher’s Choice not giving up
The board of Rancher’s Choice Beef Co-op has decided to forge ahead with plans to build a cull cow slaughtering plant near Dauphin, Man., even though the Manitoba government rejected a second funding proposal, citing lack of producer commitment. Rancher’s Choice president Bob Munroe said that at a Dec. 28 meeting the board was unanimous […] Read more
Traceability plan goes national
Federal and provincial government agencies are moving to create a national agriculture and food traceability system that will link existing databases so disease outbreaks can be more effectively controlled, said Wayne Lees, Manitoba’s chief provincial veterinary officer. Government and industry officials will work together in the coming months on the details of a pilot project […] Read more
Sowing the seeds that make the flour that make the buns
SASKATOON – The flour for the buns on the potluck table came from seeds planted by farmers like Doyle Wiebe of Langham, Sask. He planted hard red spring wheat on 1,300 of the 4,000 acres he cropped this year. “The wheat crop was one of the more pleasant surprises. We had decent quality and we […] Read more
Beans: good for soil and soul
Lincoln Wolfe planted 2,850 acres to pulse crops in 2006 on the 6,500 acres of black sandy loam that he owns and rents near Macgregor, Man. He says beans are a management intensive crop. “Timely seeding, spraying and harvesting are crucial,” said Wolfe, who has been president of the Manitoba Pulse Growers Association for two […] Read more
Inventor uses horsepower to move bales
PIERSON, Man. – There are plenty of horse lovers on the Prairies. While few dispute the practical benefits of owning a good Quarter horse for rounding up cattle, most draft horses on Canadian farms spend their days loafing about and eating hay. Perhaps the main reason they aren’t put to work, other than occasionally pulling […] Read more
Jobs abound at equipment dealerships
A shortage of staff at farm equipment dealerships across Western Canada and North America has many companies hanging “help wanted” signs in their windows. Kelly Mathison, president of the Canada West Equipment Dealers Association, said overall there is a shortage of technical tradespeople, especially farm machinery mechanics. “I think dealers across Western Canada are continuously […] Read more
