American veterinarians are making it easier for horse owners to sterilize their animals. Dr. Alison LaCarrubba of the University of Missouri’s equine clinic will offer free castrations at one of the university’s farms Oct. 2 in an effort to control the state’s horse population and reduce cases of horse neglect. “We’re seeing more and more […] Read more
Robert Arnason
Stories by Robert Arnason
Straw added to auto parts
For centuries farmers have looked for ways to use their straw, whether it was building a straw roof or making a straw hat. The automobile industry has now come up with a modern answer. Ford is using wheat straw to manufacture the third row storage bin in its 2010 Ford Flex, and the company’s scientists […] Read more
Man. unveils building code
New farm buildings that are larger than 6,500 sq. feet will have to satisfy Manitoba’s new farm building code starting Nov. 1. The government announced the long awaited changes to Manitoba’s building code last week. The announcement brought to an end a process that began early in 2008. Hog barn fires killed more than 30,000 […] Read more
Women scarce in municipal politics
It’s been 27 years, but Shirley Kalyniuk can still recall the comments about her decision to run for town council. “They said: why am I running for council? I should be at home looking after my babies, feeding my husband and keeping my house clean,” Kalyniuk said. The coffee shop chatter didn’t deter her. She […] Read more
Man. seeks gov’t help for flooded pastures
The Manitoba Cattle Producers Association has asked the provincial government for a per head payment to compensate cattle producers for drowned out hay and pasture land. MCPA representatives made the request during a meeting with provincial agriculture minister Stan Struthers last week, said Trevor Atchison, who runs a cow-calf operation near Pipestone, Man. “The number […] Read more
Ownership shift may bring change
A potential power struggle at Maple Leaf Foods could alter the company’s role in Canada’s meat industry. Earlier in August, the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan sold a large chunk of its 36 percent stake in Maple Leaf for $113 million. The buyer, a hedge fund called West Face Capital, now owns 10 percent of Maple […] Read more
Control found for fusarium
American plant pathologists have developed yeast that can control fusarium head blight in cereal crops. David Schisler, a research plant pathologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Peoria, Illinois, said the product could be commercially available in the United States within three years. “Now that we have a company that has licensed the product, […] Read more
Sparks fly over route for Man. power line
A provincial election may be more than a year away, but Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative party is hoping to capitalize on a controversial decision to build a hydro line across farmland in the province. In late July, Manitoba Hydro announced the route for Bipole III – a high voltage transmission line that will begin at hydroelectric […] Read more
Farmers encouraged to educate media
Media reports of higher food prices and a global food shortage followed Russia’s recent ban on grain exports in early August. While such predictions in The Globe and Mailand other urban newspapers articles may or may not come true, there’s a reason why the media pumps out such stories when the price of agricultural commodities […] Read more
Ensure grain dryers meet new psi rules
With up to 100 millimetres of rain falling on parts of Manitoba last weekend, many producers may need a grain dryer that’s in good working order this fall. Ian Wishart, president of the Keystone Agricultural Producers, is telling Manitoba grain growers to check their dryer before the harvest rush. “Farmers who have new or recently […] Read more
