Manitoba Hydro, which plans to build a high voltage transmission line across farmland in the province, has sweetened its compensation offer to rural landowners.The new proposal for the Bipole III right of way is a significant improvement over the previous offer, said Doug Chorney, Keystone Agricultural Producers vice-president.“From information we got just last Friday, I […] Read more
Robert Arnason
Stories by Robert Arnason
Turkeys test positive for avian flu
It’s being described as a non-threat to humans, but the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Manitoba Agriculture have established a response team of 90 people to deal with a positive case of avian influenza at a turkey farm north of Winnipeg. Last week, the CFIA confirmed that turkeys at a farm in the Rural Municipality […] Read more
Loonie, french fry demand reduce potato acres in Canada
After hitting a high of 100,000 acres of potatoes in 2003, Manitoba producers harvested only 69,000 acres in 2010, based on Statistics Canada data. “Whether it has bottomed out or not yet, we don’t know,” said Garry Sloik, Keystone Potato Producers general manager. “We hope they don’t (continue to fall) but it’s a possibility.” Statistics […] Read more
Wildlife help not enough for sheep
The Manitoba government’s decision to increase compensation for wildlife damage isn’t going to help the province’s sheep industry, says the chair of the Manitoba Sheep Association. Last week, Manitoba’s agriculture minister, Stan Struthers, announced the province would compensate producers for 100 percent of wildlife losses, beginning in the 2012 fiscal year. “I’m pleased that compensation […] Read more
Bacteria studied to find role in sclerotinia
WINNIPEG – Two University of Manitoba researchers are trying to use bacteria to control sclerotinia in canola. Teri de Kievit, an associate professor in microbiology, and Dilantha Fernando, a plant pathology professor, are researching pseudomonas, a naturally occurring bacterium found on plants and in soil around the globe. “It was a very good match because […] Read more
Golden day for canola
WINNIPEG – Monsanto Canada officially unveiled its $12 million canola breeding centre in Winnipeg Nov. 23. Company representatives say the substantial investment in canola should pay off in two ways: • push the company toward its goal of doubling canola yields by 2030; • help Monsanto grab a greater share of the market for hybrid […] Read more
Lack of research, expertise holding organics back: expert
A lack of extension and production expertise is hindering the growth of organic farming on the Prairies, says, a University of Manitoba plant scientist. Martin Entz, who has studied sustainable production systems for more than two decades, said many agencies and associations fund organic research, but the research doesn’t always reach organic producers. “Where I […] Read more
Change needed to sustain WI branches
WINNIPEG – It’s easier to laugh than cry, which is possibly why Enid Clark chuckles when she talks about the Manitoba Women’s Institute branch in Newdale. “In Newdale, we have two (young members). They’re in their 50s,” the organization’s past-president said following a MWI workshop in Winnipeg Nov. 16. “I hate to say this… but […] Read more
Beef producers fail to promote nutritional benefits
Given the popularity of chocolate cereal and pork rinds, it’s hard to know exactly what consumers are thinking as they wander down grocery store aisles. But a trend expert from Toronto says Canadian consumers keep two words in mind when they decide to purchase a particular food – nutrition and natural. “(About) 73 percent of […] Read more
Manitoba expands insurance in ag sector
The Manitoba government has promised to introduce insurance programs for the province’s cattle, hog and honey producers. Keystone Agricultural Producers president Rob Brunel welcomed the announcement, which was made in the government’s recent speech from the throne. “We don’t typically hear a lot about agriculture in the throne speech … but there were a few […] Read more
