Manitoba will likely shatter a 30-year-old record for corn acres this year, but provincial observers aren’t convinced the crop will reach projected figures from Statistics Canada. In its June 27 estimate of field crops, Statistics Canada noted that grain corn acres would hit 300,000 in Manitoba, easily surpassing the previous high of 225,000 acres set […] Read more
Robert Arnason
Stories by Robert Arnason
Increasing land prices trigger interest in field drainage systems
After years of coping with drowned out crops, farmers in Manitoba and North Dakota are investing in drainage tile to manage the water on their land. However, another factor is also propelling the tile installation boom: skyrocketing land prices and the lack of available land in the Red River Valley. “Instead of going out and […] Read more
Farmers take action with right to farm plan
North Dakota lobby group | The group is collecting signatures to allow a vote that would prevent groups from interfering with agricultural practices
Most American farmers used to make a clear distinction between People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the Humane Society of the United States. Now, producers in many states, including North Dakota, refer to the two organizations in the same breath to describe groups that are anti-animal agriculture. For example, Jeff Missling, executive vice-president […] Read morePublic money for wheat research has support
A Western Grains Research Foundation survey indicates wheat growers strongly support increased funding for public wheat breeding in Canada. On June 11, the WGRF released results from its survey of 600 wheat and barley growers in Western Canada. In the March telephone survey, conducted by a Saskatoon research firm, 84 percent of producers said funding […] Read more
Field trial to study insecticide effects on bees
A University of Guelph scientist will try to answer a question this summer that is perplexing entomologists in Europe and North America: are canola seeds treated with insecticide killing bees? Cynthia Scott-Dupree, a professor in the university’s School of Environmental Sciences, will release bees onto a blooming canola field near Guelph to determine if coating […] Read more
Family farm evolves into business partnership
Pooling money, brain power | Four partners and their employees work together to resolve problems and discuss ideas
VIRDEN, Man. — Driving into the yard at the Chapman farm for the first time is a bit confusing. At two in the afternoon, six pick-up trucks were parked next to a machine shop and five white tractor-trailers were scattered about the farmyard south of Virden, Man. The scene resembled the home base for a […] Read moreLivestock accidents pull at heart strings
Emergency response improves | Truckers, first responders and firefighters find training helpful
Much like Monday morning quarterbacking, it’s easy to criticize the response to livestock transport accidents after the fact, says an expert from Alberta. In reality, it’s a thorny task to respond perfectly to the chaos of 200 hogs inside, outside or trapped under a truck on the side of a highway. “People, the media included, […] Read moreDrainage tile installer moves into pipe making
Demand exceeds supply Manitoba installation company says pipe shortage prompted the manufacturing venture
With demand booming for agricultural drainage tile in southern Manitoba, a company that installs the tile is expanding its operations, but in a slightly different direction. Precision Land Solutions of Winkler has founded a subsidiary, AccuPipe, which will manufacture high-density polyethylene pipe, also known as drainage tile. “We’ve seen so much demand for our services […] Read moreSoil moisture satellite on horizon
Even though it’s a crucial aspect of crop development, Canada gathers only a minimal amount of information on soil moisture. In fact, in many regions of the world soil moisture data is scarce, says an Agriculture Canada remote sensing expert. “There’s little data available on soil moisture, if you think globally or even across Canada. […] Read more
Experts scrambling to deal with surprise leafhopper numbers
Troublesome bug | Producers consider response
A surprise contagion of aster leafhoppers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and North Dakota has left entomologists and growers scratching their heads. Producers have spotted high populations of aster leafhoppers in cereal fields and are wondering how to respond to the pests. John Gavloski, an entomologist with Manitoba Agriculture, has been trying to answer their questions. “People […] Read more
