Dissolvable ear tags for hogs is part of a data tracking system that won a recent livestock innovation award
BRANDON — Hog producers and processors can wash away some of their traceability problems with a new ear tag that melts in hot water. It’s part of a data system that won the top livestock innovation award at the recent Manitoba Ag Days. “Those plastic tags just don’t make it through,” said Ellery Burton, developer […] Read moreTag Archives Manitoba Ag Days — page 3
How to up your social media game
Producers who have found success on Instagram and X share their tips on showing the farm in the right light online
Farmers who want to take to social media should remember to just be themselves. That was one of the main takeaways from a social media panel discussion at Manitoba Ag Days held last month in Brandon. The discussion featured three Canadian farmers with some pretty serious social media game. Manitoba dairy farmer Amy Smith sees […] Read more
Farms urged to consider new succession bill
Farmers are advised to take advantage of the revamped Bill C-208 because it offers them significant tax savings when it comes to succession. Brandon-Souris MP Larry McGuire initially introduced it as a private member’s bill in 2021. It sought to amend the federal Income Tax Act to exclude the intergenerational transfer of farms and other […] Read more
Prairie producers urged to watch for fleabane
BRANDON — Farmers across Western Canada are frequently told the same message: keep an eye out for unusual or unfamiliar weeds. For the last few years, the worrisome weed in Manitoba has been waterhemp. The species of pigweed was first confirmed in Manitoba in 2017 and has since spread across the province. The weed is […] Read more
Pros offer tips for what to do in a calving crisis
The calf was breech. Standing a few feet away, Brandon veterinarian Dr. Grayson Ross coached a producer at the rear of the cow through the potential disaster. “Get it in your mind’s eye,” he said. “You’ve got the rump of a calf right in front of you. The tail’s there. You’ve figured out where the […] Read more
Man. gov’t funds farm family wellness program
The Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program will use the $450,000 boost from Ottawa and the province to expand services
A $450,000 funding announcement for the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program made at Manitoba Ag Days last month came as a surprise to Gerry Friesen. “I feel overwhelmed, said Friesen, the group’s chief administrative officer. “You know, a lot of times when you get announcements like this, there’s somewhat of a lead-up. We were kind of […] Read more
Beef profitability boosts enthusiasm
Strong beef prices and lower grain prices mean raising cattle has become more profitable than growing crops this year
BRANDON — When all costs are factored into the equation, raising cattle should be more profitable than growing crops in 2024 — in some cases, much more profitable. “Right now, I can tell you that the returns per acre are higher than any of the crops,” said Ben Hamm, a farm management specialist with Manitoba […] Read more
U.S. political instability called major global risk
BRANDON — Canadian farmers have front-row seats to the world’s biggest geopolitical risk, according to David Frum. “I think the thing that worries me the most is the threat that lies within the United States,” Frum, a journalist, former White House speechwriter and conservative intellectual, told farmers at Manitoba Ag Days. “If Americans make the […] Read more
Hemp proponents optimistic crop will rebound
The economics have become more promising as buyers offer production contracts of 70 to 75 cents per pound this winter
BRANDON — The last few years have been challenging for Canada’s hemp industry. When canola is priced at $18 to $20 per bushel, it’s difficult to convince farmers to grow alternative crops such as hempseed. In 2019, Canadian farmers planted about 91,000 acres of hemp, using Health Canada statistics on licenses to grow industrial hemp. […] Read more
Despite risks on the horizon, there’s reason for optimism
There hasn’t been a lot of talk about grain rail transportation this winter. The system’s humming along at a high level of efficiency, farmers’ grain is moving and things seem to be just about right. In fact, the “just about right” situation was the bottom line of Manitoba agricultural economist Derek Brewin’s presentation at Manitoba […] Read more
