The federal government has extended its tax deferral program for western Canadian livestock producers affected by drought and floods. Producers who reduced their breeding herd by at least 15 percent will be eligible for a tax deferral on income earned from the sale of cattle and other livestock in 2009. “This tax deferral will confirm […] Read more
Robert Arnason
Stories by Robert Arnason
New Maple Leaf contract benefits foreign workers
The 2,200 employees at Maple Leaf Foods’ hog processing plant in Brandon have a new union contract, which includes concessions that make it easier for foreign workers to remain in Canada. On Jan. 5, the Maple Leaf workers voted 78 percent in favour of the five-year contract. With productivity and attendance bonuses, an entry level […] Read more
Measuring tools: probes, meters and pillows
It’s easy to look out the window and conclude that four inches of snow fell overnight, but accurately measuring snow depth is challenging, says Alf Warkentin, director of flood forecasting for Manitoba Water Stewardship. “It’s never as accurate as we’d like it to be. The snow is very difficult to measure.… You can do a […] Read more
Gardiner dam tops the list
Spring thaw isn’t on the minds of most Canadians yet, but water forecasters have been thinking about melting snow for months. “Nov. 1 is called the start of the new water year because basically any precipitation that falls, for the most part, from (November) on in is going to be snow and won’t show up […] Read more
Beaver deceiver convinces rodents not to dam water culverts
It’s hard to know what beavers are thinking, but employees at a Manitoba conservation district may have found a way to fool beavers into thinking that their dam is not leaking. Keith Wallcraft, manager of the La Salle Redboine Conservation District, said his staff has historically trapped problem beavers in south-central Manitoba. But last year […] Read more
Field test shows winter grazing economical
After a dozen years of experimentation, Dean Gamache may have found the most economical way to feed cattle on his farm. Gamache, who runs a cow-calf operation near Ste. Rose du Lac, Man., has learned that grazing cattle on corn in the winter costs nearly 40 percent less than feeding bales of alfalfa. “We thought […] Read more
Man. producers want access control on crown land
Jay Fox, the new president of the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association, is hoping the Manitoba government follows the lead of Alberta when it comes to crown land. The Alberta government requires recreational users, such as all terrain vehicle operators, to contact the leaseholder of crown land prior to entering the property. This ensures the public […] Read more
Couple juggle family, farming, career
ELM CREEK, Man. – Myron Pedersen’s two-month-old baby is crying and his two-year-old son is bouncing around the room, but he still manages to talking calmly about the challenges of being a young farmer. Inside the office that is part of Pedersen’s garage, two-year-old Lane runs around the desk and over to his father to […] Read more
McDonald’s vows to pay for safety measures
Jeff Kroll, a senior vice-president with McDonald’s Canada, told cattle producers at the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association’s annual general meeting that his company fully supports a traceability system in Canada. But following Kroll’s 10 minute presentation at the Dec. 17 meeting in Brandon, Joe Bouchard, a cattle producer from Fisher Branch, Man., stepped up to […] Read more
Pulse processor buys into bean market
Alliance Grain Traders has achieved its goal of getting a foothold in the edible bean market by purchasing Parent Seed Farms of St. Joseph, Man., said Murad Al-Katib, president and chief executive officer of Alliance. “We’ve been very involved in lentils, peas and chickpeas, but beans hasn’t been a big focus of our company. We’ve […] Read more
