Study finds establishing a forage stand without a nurse crop could result in stronger growth and increased production
Glacier FarmMedia – A project at the Parkland Crop Diversification Foundation in Roblin, Man., is studying the impact of different phosphorus rates and use of an oat nurse crop in establishing hay crops. The foundation and Ducks Unlimited Canada launched the study in June last year, aiming to identify best management practices for maximizing forage […] 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
Late-season lodging can flatten cereal crops
Flattened wheat, oat and barley fields across the Prairies promise to create a harvest headache for producers this year
Glacier FarmMedia – Crops don’t easily bounce back from lodging when it happens near the end of the season, says Anne Kirk, a cereals specialist with Manitoba Agriculture. Producers can expect the worst hit to yields if crops have been flat in the weeks following head emergence. Carbohydrate flow to the head can be disrupted, […] Read more
Grain entrapment safety called non-negotiable
The threat is a critical concern for the agricultural industry because it only takes a few seconds for people to be engulfed
Glacier FarmMedia – In Canada, approximately four people per year lose their lives from grain entrapment, according to Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting. To spread awareness and prevent such tragedies, the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association held its fourth annual BeGrainSafe Week Aug. 12-18. Events included an online seminar on grain entrapment hazards, risk and prevention. Grain […] Read more
KAP to lobby province for farmer well-being licence plates
Money raised from sale of the plates would support the Manitoba Farmer Wellness program, which launched in 2022
Glacier FarmMedia – Keystone Agricultural Producers plans to lobby the Manitoba government to allow specialty licence plates that would support mental wellness programs for farmers. A resolution requesting the effort was passed at the organization’s advisory council meeting earlier this summer. Money raised from the sale of the plates, if approved, would go toward Manitoba […] Read more
Farmers urged to determine their harvest costs
Online tools are available to help producers get a better handle on what it costs them to bring in their crops in the fall
Glacier FarmMedia – “You have to spend money to make money,” says the old adage, but failing to track harvest costs may tip farmers to the wrong side of that transaction. Darren Bond, farm management specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, has some provincially backed tools that can help, he said during an Aug. 21 webinar hosted […] Read more
Pre-harvest prep needs herbicide management
Verify product acceptance with buyers because even registered products may not be acceptable in certain markets
Glacier FarmMedia – With harvest on the horizon or already underway, pre-harvest management strategies are useful to maximize yield. To achieve crop dry-down, weed control and facilitate timely harvesting, product choice is important. Many generic products are available, but Manitoba Agriculture weed specialist Kim Brown recommends using brand-name products such as Roundup, Heat or Reglone, […] Read more
Ergot risk threatens Man., less severe elsewhere
The fungal disease has been helped by the wet start to the growing season on the eastern side of the Prairies
Glacier FarmMedia – In the midst of the growing season, some Manitoba crops are now showing signs of ergot, which can reduce yield and pose a problem for marketing grain, but there are ways that producers can fight back against the fungal disease. Reports of ergot have been coming into Manitoba Agriculture, according to Anne […] Read more
Flexible hiring and collaboration key to solving ag labour shortage
Glacier FarmMedia – A flexible and open-minded approach is necessary to address the labour shortage in the agricultural industry, say stakeholders. The sector needs employees in areas of digital agriculture, mechatronics and clean energy technologies, as well as veterinary professionals. To address this, Manitoba Agriculture is taking a four-pronged approach by investing in people, creating […] Read more
KAP to pursue soil health roundtable
Keystone Agricultural Producers is looking for other commodity group partners on the conservation-based initiative
Glacier FarmMedia – Keystone Agricultural Producers plans to establish a soil health roundtable, encouraged by the recent release of a Senate report on the health of Canadian soils. The report, “Critical Ground: Why Soil is Essential to Canada’s Economic, Environmental, Human and Social Health” was released by the Senate’s agriculture and forestry committee in June. […] Read more
Industry asked for input on sheep code updates
Updated code will outline standards for production of market lambs, breeding stock, milk and wool for the next 10 years
Glacier FarmMedia – The National Farm Animal Care Council has finished picking producers’ brains on the incoming sheep code update. The council initiated an update to the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Sheep last year, although work didn’t get underway until April. Last month, the NFACC and Canadian Sheep Federation announced […] Read more
