Roberta Rampton

CARMAN, Man. – The June heat wave not only caused stress to Manitoba farmers and their crops, but it also put unusual pressure on new crop varieties that are going through the testing process. Take winter wheat for example. The co-operative test plots at the University of Manitoba’s field research station at Carman are “not […] Read more

WINNIPEG (Staff) – It’s a brave new world for number crunchers and policy analysts at Agriculture Canada. When the budget came down in February, the people who give advice to the minister and top bureaucrats in the department had to convince the bosses that their jobs were worth saving. Ken Ash, director general of a […] Read more

MORDEN, Man. – Standing in front of immaculately straight rows of 87 types of field peas being tested at the scenic Morden Research Centre, breeder Tom Warkentin told pulse crop producers they can anticipate a lot of improvements. Some of the cultivars that make it through the tests will eventually become varieties with higher yields, […] Read more

WINNIPEG – The formula has been decided, the debate is over, and the cheques for the Crow payout are all but in the mail. But the question of fairness in method of payment continues to be raised. At a Canadian Federation of Agriculture meeting here last week, some farm leaders from the Prairies said fallout […] Read more

WINNIPEG – The Canadian Grain Commission will establish the quality of the new crop this year using samples from producers rather than elevators. Phil Williams, who is in charge of the commission’s annual harvest survey, said about 40,000 randomly selected farmers will be asked to help with the project. The commission will save time and […] Read more

BRANDON, Man. – Trouble is brewing: Canadian companies that make malt and beer are angry about a recent price hike for malting barley. On July 13, the price for six-row barley jumped by $21 to $218 per tonne, while two-row barley prices rose $29 to $233 per tonne. Margo Dewar, vice-president of the Brewers Association […] Read more

STEINBACH, Man. – What’s black and white and different from most beef cattle farms in southeastern Manitoba? Wes Reimer’s operation. He feeds and markets about 2,000 head of Holsteins a year from his 42-acre farm. Reimer said he grows Holsteins because he likes the color: “The color of the bottom line, actually. It’s black,” he […] Read more

PANSY, Man. – Bringing new ideas to the southeast corner of Manitoba is part of Robert Krentz’s strategy to make money raising cattle. Consider his new processing building. The ramps, alleys and platforms make it look like part maze, part jungle gym. He modeled the 245-square-metre building after one he saw on a Nebraska feedlot. […] Read more

WINNIPEG – Swine breeders are upset that the provincial government wants to cut a program designed to help farmers improve the quality of their stock. A government spokesperson said there’s not enough money or demand to keep the program going, and it should be privatized or paid for by the breeders. But Bill Acheson, president […] Read more

BRANDON, Man. – If you thought this year was an interesting one for barley, hold on tight. Industry speakers at a recent barley conference say the next five years could be fascinating. The changes will start with the producer. Jack Tye, a barley selector with Canada Malting, said transportation changes will directly affect who grows […] Read more