Roberta Rampton

WINNIPEG – Group housing for pregnant sows is a feasible alternative for farmers who want to get away from using gestation crates. In fact, University of Manitoba research shows group-housed sows may have larger, heavier litters than their sisters living inside conventional barns. “They’re quite conducive to group situations with straw,” said Laurie Connor, who […] Read more

WINNIPEG – Farmers who export wheat and barley without Canadian Wheat Board licenses and refuse to surrender their trucks at Canada Customs may find unwanted guests at their doorstep. Customs officials searched the farm of Norm and Edith Desrochers of Baldur, Man. on April 10 to retrieve a truck the Desrochers admit was used to […] Read more

WINNIPEG – As the Manitoba Women’s Institute gathered in Winnipeg to talk about health-care reform, striking home-care workers were waving placards along Portage Avenue, mustering support in their fight to stop the provincial government from privatizing some of their jobs. “Right now, (health care) is a hot, hot topic in Manitoba,” said Hila Willkie of […] Read more

WINNIPEG – Panic and confusion aren’t usually found amid the orderly shelves of the Ste. Rose Pharmacy. But for the past month, pharmacist Todd Mereniuk has had to dispense advice about massive changes to a government drug program as he fills prescriptions. Mereniuk said many of his customers are concerned about the April 1 change […] Read more

WINNIPEG – The weather has not been good the past couple of weeks for winter-weary Manitobans anxious for green grass and mitten-free days. But those living near rivers in the southern part of the province may be singing a different tune. “I’m cautiously optimistic that the weather of the last seven to 10 days has […] Read more

WINNIPEG – Manitoba Pork’s last annual meeting as a monopoly marketing agency was more realistic than nostalgic. After a year marked by controversy, complaints and ultimately change farmer delegates on the marketing agency concentrated on looking forward to July 1 and beyond, when it will face competition from other sellers. In a closed-door session and […] Read more

WINNIPEG – In an open market, farmers are better off when they stick together, says an American hog marketer and industry analyst. Larry Sills told Manitoba Pork delegates that alliances will keep their operations healthy after new open market rules replace the hog-selling agency’s provincial monopoly on July 1. Sills works for the National Farmers […] Read more

WINNIPEG – An independent legal expert says Andy McMechan and Bill Cairns should launch an appeal if they don’t believe they should pay fines for recent convictions for exporting grain illegally. Lee Stuesser, who teaches law at the University of Manitoba, was reacting to reports the farmers don’t plan on paying or appealing the fines. […] Read more

WINNIPEG – Manitoba farmers who don’t trust their memories or coffee shop consensus about the best week to sow their crops can now turn to the worldwide web for answers. The Manitoba Crop Insurance Corporation and Manitoba Agriculture have posted charts on the internet showing the influence of seeding dates on the average yields of […] Read more

WINNIPEG – Allan Caners’s battle with DowElanco started almost 10 years ago when he said he applied a herbicide to a half-section of land in the fall and huge, thick patches of weeds came up in the spring. He said he followed directions to the letter and was determined to get the company to take […] Read more