Lake washes away dreams

DEVILS LAKE, N.D. – A shrill wind tugs at the surface of Devils Lake, stirring up legions of white caps. The churning lake appears ominous as it pounds against roads fortified with sloping shoulders of rock. At a deserted farmyard, waves batter a split-level home. Murky waters have already flooded the basement and may one […] Read more

KAP suggests land set-aside

Ian Wishart has an idea that he thinks could put some salve on the wounds of farmers reeling from low commodity prices. The Portage la Prairie, Man., farmer has suggested taking 20 percent of Manitoba’s grain land out of production. The idea, presented at a general council meeting of Keystone Agricultural Producers, would see farmers […] Read more

Canola crushers accept contract

The threat of a strike ended last week at CanAmera Foods’ canola crushing plant near Russell, Man. Plant workers accepted a three-year contract that will see their wages increase about seven percent over the next 17 months. Compromise was also reached on the issue of sick pay, a key point during negotiations between CanAmera and […] Read more


N.D. hints of action against wheat board

There were rumblings south of the border last week when the North Dakota Wheat Commission outlined grievances with how the Canadian Wheat Board does business. The American commission described the Canadian Wheat Board as a price-distorting monopoly that is out of vogue in an increasingly privatized world market. The commission said it will press for […] Read more

Crops vary from poor to record levels

Alan Clark manages to sound cheerful, even though he expects to lose money farming this year. The Melita, Man., grower went into the year nervous about grain prices. Then he had to contend with a glut of moisture that kept him from seeding two-thirds of his land. Now, with the arrival of winter possible at […] Read more


Goat breeder sees opportunities

DAUPHIN, Man. – Leading the way into her back yard, Sandy Larocque points out a weathered shed, an outdoor pen and a plot of lawn. The shed will house her Alpine goats this winter, once she gets them moved from her former home at Dufresne, Man. The pen will become the goats’ new quarters after […] Read more

North Dakota contains TB herd

An outbreak of tuberculosis in North Dakota earlier this year hasn’t hurt its chances of moving feeder cattle into Canada without testing for the disease. A veterinarian with the United States Department of Agriculture said last week that the outbreak was contained, keeping North Dakota’s certification as a tuberculosis-free state intact. Larry White said more […] Read more

Proposed propane merger challenged

A proposed merger between Canada’s two largest propane companies has raised a red flag on the farm. If the merger between ICG and Superior Propane goes through, it will create a virtual monopoly, said Darrin Qualman, National Farmers Union executive secretary. The amalgamation would give ICG and Superior 70 percent of the Canadian market. Qualman […] Read more


Drainage issue off to court

A legal dispute over land drainage in Manitoba appears headed for the province’s Court of Appeal. The case could set a precedent in Manitoba, establishing whether the province or municipalities have jurisdiction over drainage affecting farmland. Ray Hildebrandt was charged two years ago under the province’s Water Rights Act for illegally draining water from a […] Read more

Canola plant workers vote on tentative deal

A tentative settlement last week kept workers on the job at the CanAmera canola crushing plant at Harrowby, Man. The union representing the 48 workers said a tentative settlement was reached Oct. 15, three days before a strike was to begin. Don Keith, a spokesperson for the United Food and Commercial Workers union, said employees […] Read more