Manitoba farmers can expect to see more “good news” messages about agriculture this year if a new industry promotion group reaches its goals. Growing Manitoba is an organization made up of farmers, processors and other agricultural businesses that plans to publicize a sector to which increasingly fewer people have direct ties. Its genesis came out […] Read more
Stories by Roberta Rampton
Manitoba revives farm stress line
After a four-year disconnect, Manitoba farmers and rural residents can once again call a toll-free line for help in times of crisis. A Brandon-based farm and rural stress line will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It can be reached at 866 FOR FARM, or 866-367-3276. Trained counselors who are […] Read more
WCE sets up shop in revised digs
The jostling and shouting of the last 15 minutes of daily trade at the Winnipeg Commodity Exchange has the same intensity as it has for generations. But now, traders are buying and selling commodity futures in a less cavernous, more modern space. The finishing touches are being put on a year-long, $1.2 million renovation of […] Read more
Canola meal contract almost ready
The Winnipeg Commodity Exchange is developing a new futures contract for canola meal. It’s one of several new projects exchange staff and members are working on in their ongoing effort to increase the number of contracts traded at the exchange and diversify from trading strictly agricultural commodities. Marketing director Bruce Love said the exchange is […] Read more
Traders yawn at oats, peas futures
The price boards at the Winnipeg Commodity Exchange may be new, but one thing on them hasn’t changed. The trading volume for two of the exchange’s six futures contracts continues to be zero. Exchange committees have looked at the peas and oats futures contracts, and decided they will stay listed despite the lack of interest […] Read more
Hemp oil sales in jeopardy
It took almost a year of persistent selling for Martine Carlina to convince a well-known American lip balm maker to use her company’s organic hemp oil instead of a cheaper European variety. When the vice-president of Biohemp Technologies in Regina closed the deal for a dozen 204-litre drums with the Merry Hempsters of Eugene, Ore., […] Read more
U.S. to ban food made from hemp
The United States Department of Justice plans to announce three new rules that will ban products made from hemp seed and oil. The rules could seriously affect the young Canadian hemp industry, which sees the U.S. as an important market. “Do we have to go there again?” sighed Shaun Crew, president of Hemp Oil Canada, […] Read more
Manitoba hunts for rural doctors
The Manitoba government will fund a plan to attract more rural students to medical school, give them more training in rural hospitals and provide extra training for rural doctors in the field. It’s one of the most comprehensive efforts in Canada to date to fill the doctor shortage in rural areas. Manitoba’s plan drew praise […] Read more
Most Manitobans still welcome hog farms
Amidst a barrage of media reports last summer on complaints about hog operations, the balance of people in Manitoba have kept a positive impression of hog farming. Fifty-six percent of Manitobans said they have a positive overall impression of hog farming, even though most reported having read or heard negative messages about the industry. “To […] Read more
Quebec hog company tests the West
Another major swine genetics company is making a play for the expanding hog market in Western Canada. Genetiporc Canada Inc. has built two new multiplier barns near Hamiota, Man., housing 5,000 sows. Hogs will be available to farmers in 2001, said the company’s general manager. “There’s been a significant demand for our animals in Western […] Read more
