Ian Bell

He has the capability to burn all kinds of livestock manure. What he doesn’t have is an established market for the technology. Mike Robb, owner of the King Coal Furnace Corporation, said he has known for years how swine, poultry and cattle manure can be burned in a stoker to produce cheap heat. But he […] Read more

KILLARNEY, Man. – A couple of years ago, cold hog barns were causing sick pigs at the Mayfair Hutterite Colony southwest of Killarney. Pneumonia was the most common ailment among the animals during the winter. The colony’s heating system was not able to keep the barns warm. The Mayfair colony runs a 1,000-sow, farrow-to-finish operation […] Read more

Hog producers should be making a list and checking it twice to ensure their animals are free of drug residues and broken needles when they leave the farm. How a pig is fed, watered and vaccinated can affect the reputation of Canadian pork, both at home and abroad. “The last thing anyone would want to […] Read more

Manitoba’s department of natural resources has launched its appeal of a provincial court ruling that suggests drainage belongs under municipal jurisdiction. The appeal stems from the case of Ray Hildebrandt, who farms near Ninga, Man. Hildebrandt was taken to court for diverting water from his land without a provincial licence. In January, a provincial court […] Read more

Another step is being taken in Manitoba to help build a bridge over troubled waters. New legislation has been drafted that offers a new tool to help deal with drainage problems. At the heart of the legislation are a bylaw and memorandum of understanding developed by the province and the Association of Manitoba Municipalities. The […] Read more

Keith Scott likes to follow a path of diplomacy when negotiating with people or trying to resolve conflicts. Scott, who farms near Boissevain, Man., thinks confrontation should be used only as a last resort. He also underlines the importance of listening to other people’s views when sitting at the negotiating table or in a boardroom […] Read more

NEEPAWA, Man. – A local farm family says it got more than it bargained for after accepting manure from a hog processing plant here. Terry and Carolyn Payjack thought the manure would be ideal fertilizer for their farm on the outskirts of this northwestern Manitoba farm. Their view began to change when they tried to […] Read more

A small group of North Dakota farmers has sown some seeds of discontent about Canadian grain containing herbicide-resistant weeds. The four farmers complained late last year to state officials, alleging that the problem of herbicide resistance is more prevalent in Canada than it is in North Dakota. They wanted rules imposed to ensure Canadian grain […] Read more

Once bitten, twice shy. When it comes to the recently announced federal-provincial farm aid program, some producer groups wanted assurances that it would satisfy international trade rules. Among them was the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, which is already fending off allegations that Canada is selling subsidized beef into the United States. “Our concern was to make […] Read more

Last summer almost marked the end of the line for an old train station at Souris, Man. The town council approved a demolition permit in July. But for seven months the building remained standing, a defiant reminder of how rail service helped the region prosper. That defiance may soon end. In a Feb. 25 interview, […] Read more