Colin Rosengren knows how to grab his audience’s attention. During his PowerPoint presentation on intercropping at Ag Days in Brandon Jan. 21, Rosengren brought up a slide called “show me the money.” It illustrated how in 2008, when growing peas and canola together on his farm near Midale, Sask., he earned a net profit of […] Read more
Robert Arnason
Stories by Robert Arnason
NCBA calms Canadian producers on COOL
Although U.S. protectionism is a hot topic in Canada these days, an economist from the U.S. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says Canadian livestock producers shouldn’t panic. Gregg Doud, chief economist for the NCBA, insists that changes will stand to the final rule for country-of-origin labelling that loosen restrictions on segregating Canadian livestock. “Our information, at […] Read more
Manitoba cattle producers search for hay
A poor forage crop in Manitoba last fall, combined with lower than usual stockpiles, has nearly doubled the price of hay, says a forage producer in the southwestern corner of the province. “People are buying hay for beef feed, for 41/2 to five cents a pound ($2-$2.25 per kilogram),” said Clark Combs, who farms near […] Read more
Cows respond when given names, respect
It’s been well documented that soon-to-be parents spend days, weeks and even months in an agonizing search for the perfect baby name. Tristan, Addison or Apple? It’s rarely an easy decision because most people consider names to be an important part of their child’s identity. Now two British researchers have learned that names may be […] Read more
Poverty report hits nerve
Lonnie Patterson may be the only non-politician in Canada who has read the entire Senate report on halting rural poverty. Patterson, who is working toward a master’s degree in rural development at Brandon University, acknowledged that it is unusual to read a 408-page document from the Senate. But it had to be done to satisfy […] Read more
Young farm women play important role
On any team it’s important to know your role. Fran Erven, who lives on a farm near Clanwilliam, Man., knows her role during calving season. “It’s my job to keep the bed warm when he’s checking the cattle on those cold winter nights,” said Erven, who got a laugh out of the audience with that […] Read more
COOL changes under review
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has decided to review changes to the country-of-origin labelling regulations, announced earlier this month. The decision is part of a larger strategy by president Barack Obama, who shortly after his inauguration Jan. 20, released a memo that put a freeze on all regulations proposed in the final days of the […] Read more
Vet shortage prompts new gov’t funding
It’s an unfortunate fact of life. Everyone gets older, including farmers and veterinarians. “In some areas we have practitioners who are starting to get a little long in the tooth,” said Dr. Wayne Tomlinson, extension veterinarian at Manitoba Agriculture’s Livestock Knowledge Centre. “It’s a lot like the farming community, the vets mirror the community.” To […] Read more
Yield boosting claims warrant scrutiny: expert
According to Michael Green of Wawota, Sask., farmers are caught in an information trap when it comes to fertilizer supplements and endless promises of increased yield. “How do you determine which data you should listen to?” asked Green. “Scientist A says this and scientist B says it’s a bunch of b.s. And we’re caught in […] Read more
Mediation can help in debt disputes
Verna Hiebert walked into a Brandon courtroom in mid-January with a spring in her step and an air of purpose. But 90 minutes later, when leaving the courtroom, that optimism was replaced by a shaking head and lips pressed tight together. The owner of Loadmaster Transportation, a Winnipeg based trucking firm, appeared in small claims […] Read more
