The Manitoba Pulse Growers Association has unveiled a new communications strategy, which will enable its members to learn from agriculture experts in Western Canada and around the world. The MPGA is joining with the Farm Leadership Council (FLC), a producer led organization that provides professional development training, to offer pulse growers information on a range […] Read more
Robert Arnason
Stories by Robert Arnason
Blizzard forces re-evaluation of Manitoba flood forecast
A blizzard in North Dakota, which dumped half a metre of snow on parts of the state earlier this week, has forced Manitoba forecasters to re-evaluate their spring flood outlook. The Manitoba government intended to release updated flood predictions today, but forecasters will now update the flood outlook at a later date, said Christine Melnick, […] Read more
Feds respond to rail rate review
WINNIPEG – The federal government will soon level what has been, for too long, an uneven business arrangement between railways and shippers of grain in Canada, says agriculture minister Gerry Ritz. At a news conference at a grain elevator northwest of Winnipeg today, Ritz and transport minister Rob Merrifield released the federal government’s response to […] Read more
Herbicide tolerant flax variety years from hitting shelf
HOLLAND, Man. – An American trait development company is making progress on a glyphosate tolerant flax variety, says James Radtke, product development vice-president for Cibus Global. Radtke told producers attending the Manitoba Flax Growers Association’s annual general meeting in Holland March 3 that his company should be growing flax plants with herbicide tolerance by 2012. […] Read more
Genomics opens door to flax advancements
HOLLAND, Man. – Breeders are reaping the rewards of two research projects that are expanding the genetic knowledge of flax, even though growers won’t see the benefits for a decade or more. Genome Canada’s Total Utilization Flax Genomics (TUFGEN) and the Natural Fibres for the Green Economy Network (NAFGEN) are generating the information and tools […] Read more
Seed size excites growers
HOLLAND, Man. – Size isn’t everything, but the Prairie Grain Development Committee has recommended a new line of flax for variety registration that has a significantly bigger seed. Agriculture Canada flax breeder Scott Duguid, who developed the new line known as FP 2270, said the large seed size is a bonus, on top of its […] Read more
Flax potential not being reached: seed expert
According to Manitoba’s seed guide, most flax varieties yielded close to 34 bushels per acre in provincial trials last year. However, flax insured by Manitoba Agricultural Services Corp. last year yielded an average of 19.5 bu. per acre. The substantial yield gap between trials and commercially grown flax is fairly constant from year to year […] Read more
GM alfalfa monitoring in place in U.S.
Monsanto and American seed dealers are taking precautions to ensure Roundup Ready alfalfa doesn’t wind up on fields north of the border, says a seed supplier from Montana. Dale Strouf, operations manager at Heartland Seed in Moccasin, Mont., said the industry has developed plans to monitor farmers who buy the genetically modified forage seed. “Once […] Read more
Wetlands aid in flood control: DU
If Manitobans want to mitigate the risk of spring flooding, paying farmers to maintain wetlands might be more effective than spending millions every spring on more drainage and higher dikes, says Shane Gabor, a Ducks Unlimited research biologist. Since the mid 1990s, a major flood has hit Manitoba’s Red River Valley in 1996, 1997, 2001, […] Read more
Manitoba community college plans horticultural research – for Mar. 10, 2011
Saskatoon bushes, strawberry plants and grape vines will greet visitors to the Assiniboine Community College campus in Brandon this summer. The college is establishing a fruit crop orchard that will be part of the new applied research program in horticultural production. “ACC has stepped up to train the next generation of horticultural workers,” Manitoba agriculture […] Read more
