Weather and production challenges reduced how much product was produced; beekeepers wary about coming winter
Glacier FarmMedia – Weather woes and disease caused honey production on the Prairies to drop significantly in 2024, especially in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Statistics Canada recently reported that Canadian honey production dropped by more than 18 per cent nationwide compared to 2023, though the number of beekeepers and colonies increased. Beekeepers across the nation drew […] Read more
Miranda Leybourne
Miranda Leybourne is a Glacier FarmMedia reporter based in Neepawa, Manitoba with eight years of journalism experience, specializing in agricultural reporting. Born in northern Ontario and raised in northern Manitoba, she brings a deep, personal understanding of rural life to her storytelling.
A graduate of Assiniboine College’s media production program, Miranda began her journalism career in 2007 as the agriculture reporter at 730 CKDM in Dauphin. After taking time off to raise her two children, she returned to the newsroom once they were in full-time elementary school. From June 2022 to May 2024, she covered the ag sector for the Brandon Sun before joining Glacier FarmMedia. Miranda has a strong interest in organic and regenerative agriculture and is passionate about reporting on sustainable farming practices. You can reach Miranda at mleybourne@farmmedia.com.
Stories by Miranda Leybourne
Varroa mite control called ‘double-edged sword’
The toolbox that producers have at their disposal to manage the pests threatening their bees is getting more complicated
Glacier FarmMedia – For Ian Steppler, a commercial beekeeper near Deerwood, Man., managing varroa mites is a persistent battle. The invasive parasite, which has plagued North American beekeepers since the late 1980s, continues to escalate its toll on honeybee colonies across the globe. They’ve become a consistent contender among the top four causes of winter […] Read more
North searches for sustainable food solutions
An advocate says northern and remote areas, especially Indigenous communities, require more food security support
Glacier FarmMedia – The problem of food insecurity has become more complex since the COVID-19 pandemic, said Volker Kromm, executive director of the Regional Food Distribution Association, which co-ordinates the flow of food donations. Projects are underway to address it, he told those at last month’s Fields on Wheels online conference. While the pandemic introduced […] Read more
Producers take many paths to regenerative ag
Motivations for following regenerative agriculture practices vary from producing quality food to ecological stewardship
Regenerative agriculture is gaining momentum across the Prairies, but it’s far from a one-size-fits-all approach. Still, the diverse practices share a common thread — a commitment to leaving the land, and the world, healthier for future generations. Regenerative agriculture has become somewhat of a buzzword but can be broken down to mean farming practices that […] Read more
Family helps preserve endangered grasslands
The Langford Escarpment is a 440-acre parcel of grasslands, treed areas and wetland located in northwestern Manitoba
Glacier FarmMedia – A Neepawa family has partnered with the Nature Conservancy of Canada to safeguard an ecologically significant piece of grassland. The site, designated as the Langford Escarpment, is 15 kilometres southeast of the town in northwestern Manitoba and is now protected to preserve its endangered ecosystem, the NCC has said. The 440-acre parcel […] Read more
Report predicts more food inflation for upcoming year
Researchers say meat will see the greatest price hikes, followed by vegetables, bakery products and restaurant meals
Glacier FarmMedia – Grocery shoppers can expect higher food prices in 2025, according to the latest edition of Canada’s Food Price Report. The report, which predicts food prices and trends for the coming year, projects a three to five per cent increase in Canadian food prices. The average family of four can expect to spend […] Read more
Sector prepares U.S. bulk bee import response
The topic heats up from industry groups to courtrooms as Canada debates whether it should allow U.S. packaged bees
Glacier FarmMedia – The question of whether Canada should allow bulk honeybee imports from the U.S. is back in the limelight. Beekeeping groups in Canada are working on their submissions after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency examined risks posed by U.S. boxed bee trade. The CFIA has given industry 90 days to respond. Meanwhile, in the courtroom, beekeepers were not successful in […] Read more
Initiative improves soil health on farmers’ terms
The program from Assiniboine College in Brandon is designed to provide producers with the tools to pick their own path
Glacier FarmMedia – A Brandon-based initiative to promote soil health practices among farmers in Western Canada is gaining traction as it enters its second year. The Russ Edwards School of Agriculture and Environment at Assiniboine College has partnered with key organizations to establish a network of resources aimed at advancing sustainable soil management practices in […] Read more
Feed analysis flags mycotoxin concerns
Corn silage likely has the highest risk profile although other annual feed crops also show increased DON and ZEA levels
Glacier FarmMedia – Manitoba Agriculture is urging producers to test their feed after a harvest analysis report flagged greater risk of mycotoxin contamination in corn silage. Early findings from the Alltech 2024 Canadian Harvest Analysis suggested plenty of variability in contamination levels across Canada, but there were particular concerns on corn silage quality, according to […] Read more
Winter feed supplies a good news story
Glacier FarmMedia – There’s no shortage of livestock feed across the Prairies but producers are urged to test feed to ensure quality this year. “Stock is good,” said Manitoba livestock specialist Pam Iwanchysko via email Oct. 29. However, a lot of feed was harvested later in the season, putting it at higher risk for quality […] Read more
