Thieves have forced Norman Goulet to become a shepherd who watches his flock by night. More than 640 lambs and ewes were stolen from Goulet’s farm near St. Claude, Man., last month. It was the third time sheep bandits struck his farm in less than two years. The latest theft has prompted Goulet to park […] Read more
Stories by Ian Bell
Horse project promotes learning over competition
NEEPAWA, Man. – Kelsey Howell’s thoughts were about learning and having fun when she joined the Manitoba 4-H Young Horse Development Project. After her second year in the project, she feels rewarded. “I think it’s good,” said the 16 year old from Virden, Man. “It’s not just all about winning.” The young horse development project […] Read more
Manitoba producers pleased beef levy refundable
There was talk of mending fences last week after the Manitoba government announced it would make its new $2 per head beef levy refundable. The province originally planned to have the levy mandatory and nonrefundable, a move that met fierce resistance from the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association. The association insisted the levy be refundable so […] Read more
Grazing alfalfa good hay alternative
Heat and dry weather hampered both hay and pasture production in Manitoba this year. Pasturing cattle on alfalfa fields is one option producers have resorted to in a bid to gain adequate feed for their cow-calf herds. “We don’t have a choice,” said Glenn Friesen, Manitoba Agriculture’s business development specialist for forages. “We need to […] Read more
Simplot sells fertilizer plant
It will take time for the buyer of the Simplot fertilizer plant in Brandon to decide what changes are in order, but the plant’s use of natural gas will come under the microscope. Koch Nitrogen Fertilizer Holding, a company based in Wichita, Kansas, recently announced it is buying the nitrogen fertilizer business of Simplot Canada, […] Read more
Disease centre receives world recognition
A federal disease lab in Winnipeg has been put at the forefront of international efforts to control avian influenza and BSE. The National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease in Winnipeg was recently designated as a reference laboratory for avian influenza and BSE by the World Organization for Animal Health, also known as the OIE. The […] Read more
Flooded farmers eye winter wheat
Saskatchewan farmers who struggled to plant a crop this spring are giving winter wheat a closer look. Brian Berrns, who farms in eastern Saskatchewan, was unable to seed about a third of his land because of excess moisture. He is among those thinking of putting at least a portion of those acres into winter wheat […] Read more
Man. criticized over leafy spurge control
The Manitoba government was slammed last week over the issue of leafy spurge, a noxious weed that continues to spread and strangle pastures, hay fields and wildlife areas in the province. During the annual provincial grazing tour, a visit was made to a research plot east of Brandon where methods for controlling the weed were […] Read more
Network seeks new uses for potatoes
Canada’s potato growers are hoping new opportunities will emerge from a recently announced Potato Innovation Network 2020. The federal government has committed $590,000 to the network, which will strive to find new uses and markets for potatoes. Support is also coming from the potato industry and five provinces, including Manitoba and Alberta. The total value […] Read more
Spring calving not easy switch
Producers considering a change to spring calving instead of winter calving were advised last week that challenges can arise during the transition. Glen Duizer, an extension veterinarian with Manitoba Agriculture, sees several merits in spring calving, particularly the potential to prevent scours by having calves born on pasture instead of in pens. However, experience has […] Read more
