Roberta Rampton

WINNIPEG – Manitoba cattle producers are disappointed but not surprised that the provincial agriculture minister has extended the Net Income Stabilization Account program to their commodity. “We knew that the minister was struggling with this,” said James Bezan, executive officer for the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association. “I guess our argument isn’t with minister (Harry) Enns. […] Read more

WINNIPEG – United Grain Growers has reported losses of close to $7 million for the first six months of its fiscal year, more than twice the losses of $2.9 million in the first half of the last fiscal year. But Brian Hayward, chief executive officer for UGG, said shareholders shouldn’t be alarmed. Like all things […] Read more

WINNIPEG – School boards in Manitoba are mulling over a report that recommends the current 57 divisions be amalgamated into 21, saving about $4.5 million per year. The report of the Boundaries Review Commission states because population is shrinking, especially in rural areas, the province should have fewer boards serving around 5,000 students each. Some […] Read more

WINNIPEG – Federal agriculture Minister Ralph Goodale met with about 30 farm leaders and industry representatives here last week for a discussion about grain transportation reform. Speaking afterwards to reporters, Goodale said “the number one subject” was whether the $1.6 billion Crow buyout will go to landowners or operators. “Quite frankly, there was a difference […] Read more

WINNIPEG – The balanced budget doesn’t seem to offer much in the way of added calories for Manitoba farmers wondering how to balance their financial diets after eating the Crow subsidy. Agricultural spending is forecast to be down by more than six percent in the 1995-96 fiscal year. The biggest cuts came to spending on […] Read more

WINNIPEG (Staff) – Manitoba’s Conservative government chose to milk its one-armed cash cow to balance its budget last week. Finance minister Eric Stefanson said it’s the first time in 20 years the province has balanced the budget. His government planned to introduce a balanced budget in the 1996-97 fiscal year, but he said Manitobans wanted […] Read more

WINNIPEG – Upgrading the port of Churchill should not be the sole responsibility of producers, farm leaders and industry groups told the federal minister of agriculture at a closed meeting here last week. In the past few weeks, there have been rumors that $27 million for the port and rail line would come out of […] Read more

WINNIPEG – Got $5,000 and a passport? Then maybe the world conference on women scheduled for Beijing, China in September is a possibility. But those concerned about the issues who lack the cash can “do Beijing” at home. Women’s groups in Manitoba met recently to discuss strategy for the conference, and share stories about how […] Read more

WINNIPEG – The federal government will assist in establishing a marketing agency to promote and revitalize the port of Churchill. Western economic diversification minister Lloyd Axworthy said last week that funding for the proposed Gateway North agency will come from his department, although the amount wasn’t yet known. And he is looking for someone to […] Read more

PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, Man. – Did somebody say $25 canola? You bet. And it caused waves of laughs and chatter among 80 farmers from marketing clubs in Manitoba. At a recent seminar held here, a market analyst who supplies information to brokers and farmers said there’s a one in 10 chance that prices this year […] Read more