Manitoba Energy and Mines appears confident that an oil battery is not to blame for the toxic gases afflicting a farm family near Tilston, Man. Bruce Campbell and his father believe the battery releases gases from its flare stack that pose a health threat to themselves, their family and their livestock. But Energy and Mines […] Read more
Stories by Ian Bell
Agricore buys pulse crop business from Continental
Agricore has bought the North American pulse crop operations of Continental Grain for an undisclosed price. Continental startled the industry last fall when it announced it was getting out of the grain business and selling its elevators and trading offices to Cargill. The pulse crop division was not included and Agricore saw it as an […] Read more
Fire fails to put poultry processor in a flap
A fire last fall failed to take the pluck out of Manitoba’s largest poultry processor. The Oct. 7 fire caused at least $4.5 million in damages to Granny’s Poultry Co-operative at Blumenort, Man. However, the company has rebounded in a hurry and now has plans for expansion. The expansion, to be phased in over several […] Read more
Small fruit squeezes profit from farm gardens
KILLARNEY, Man. – Consider it his field of dreams. For more than a decade, Grant Rigby has been finding innovative ways to make the most of a 40-acre orchard of raspberries here. He counts juice nectar, salad dressings, wine kits and dessert toppings in his product portfolio. His latest endeavor continues the tradition of extracting […] Read more
Riders take fear of danger by the horns
A surge of adrenaline rushes through Luke Ellingson’s veins each time he drapes his legs over the hulking body of a rodeo bull. The rush comes from the fear and excitement of riding beasts that weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Ellingson, 23, thrives on that excitement, even though he knows it could cost him his […] Read more
Candidates offer voters a wide variety
MELITA, Man. – Ian Robson wants the Canadian Wheat Board’s export monopoly kept intact. Bill Bell thinks it’s time the monopoly was thrown out. Both farmers were at an Oct. 27 meeting to hear from the five candidates wanting to become CWB director for district nine. Robson, who runs a mixed cattle farm near Deleau, […] Read more
Man. government’s farm lender marks 40 years
When Garry Tolton set out to diversify his farm in 1976, he faced a serious hurdle. He wanted to build a new swine feeder barn, but his section of land near Newdale, Man., was heavily mortgaged. His search for a lender took him to the Manitoba Agricultural Credit Corporation, where he got a loan with […] Read more
Export plan upsets Man. milk farmers
An export program for dairy products has left a sour taste in the mouths of Manitoba dairy farmers. Canada’s Optional Export Program is viewed as confusing and frustrating by Manitoba Milk Producers, the provincial marketing board. Marketing board chair Neil Van Ryssel said changes are needed to make the program work better for producers. Created […] Read more
Short-line defenders step up efforts
CLEAR LAKE, Man. – Calvin Gust fears the window of opportunity may soon slam shut on community groups wanting to create short-line rail systems. The Bowsman, Man., farmer believes less than a year remains to save several stretches of rail line slated for abandonment by Canada’s national rail companies. He wants Ottawa to adopt new […] Read more
Churchill sees slight drop in grain traffic this year
Alan Johnson felt a twinge of sadness last week as he watched a grain cargo ship depart from the port of Churchill. The ship was the last one expected to visit the port this year. It will likely be several months before the next large ocean-going vessel arrives. “It’s always a sad occasion when you […] Read more
