Socialism can be a good idea, at least when it comes to egg-laying hens, say researchers at Purdue University. William Muir, an animal science professor at Purdue’s campus in Lafayette, Indiana, has found that focusing on the number of eggs produced by a group is more beneficial than breeding the most productive individual birds. “We […] Read more
Robert Arnason
Stories by Robert Arnason
Brandon sewage plant to get $33 million upgrade
The Manitoba and federal governments plan to spend $33 million to upgrade Brandon’s wastewater treatment plant, which will allow the community to become the first in the province to satisfy stricter nutrient removal standards, said mayor Dave Burgess. “Brandonites realize that protecting our water is a shared responsibility and we are proud to be taking […] Read more
Warm September makes potato storage difficult
Unusually warm temperatures this September have been a blessing for grain producers across Western Canada. But the hot weather has made life difficult for potato producers, said a potato disease expert with Manitoba Agriculture. “Storage of warm tubers infected with late blight (or contaminated with late blight spores) is very risky and has the potential […] Read more
Manitoba crops rebound after slow start
Considering how the crop looked earlier this summer, producers in western Manitoba are shocked by the strong yields they’re seeing this September. Dry months in May, June and July stunted crop growth in many parts of the region, but the slow start is not adversely affecting yields on Keith Gardner’s farm near Lenore, Man. “We […] Read more
Interlake farms without crops
ARBORG, Man. – When approaching the town of Arborg, it quickly becomes apparent that something is wrong. This time of year, wheat stubble and rows of canola swaths should be out on the land. Instead, the fields on both sides of Highway 7 south of town are full of weeds and water. The situation is […] Read more
Manitoba unveils biodiesel mandate
All of the diesel sold in Manitoba must contain two percent biodiesel by Nov. 1, the provincial government announced last week. That means Manitoba will become the first province in Canada to implement a biodiesel mandate. “Biodiesel will benefit Manitoba’s agricultural communities while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 56,000 tonnes, the equivalent of taking 11,000 […] Read more
Man. soybean growers on frost watch
Manitoba’s soybean growers set a record this year with 440,000 acres seeded. But bad news is just one freezing night away if producers are not able to harvest all of it. “Typically we get a frost mid-September, and if that happens the crop is so far behind it could finish it,” said Myron Pedersen, who […] Read more
Tips to reduce weaning stress
For Stan Rampton, choosing when to wean his calves is simply a matter of pragmatism. “From mid-August to mid-September, we’re right in the middle of harvest and just don’t have time to get them weaned,” said Rampton, who runs a cow-calf operation and a grain farm north of Oak Lake, Man. A few years ago, […] Read more
Money lenders’ co-sign policy annoys farmer
If Grant Rigby works on the farm and his wife doesn’t, why does she have to co-sign so he can get a loan from his local credit union? Rigby, who holds a master’s degree in food science from the University of Manitoba, said requiring both husband and wife to sign off on a loan is […] Read more
H1N1 report delayed by glitch
After a two month delay, Manitoba’s provincial veterinary office has confirmed that the H1N1 flu virus was detected in several hog barns in the province earlier this summer. Wayne Lees, the province’s chief veterinary officer, said H1N1 was found in late June and early July, but details were not released until late August because of […] Read more
