The Manitoba Court of Appeal has upheld a lower court ruling finding the Canadian Wheat Board liable for negligent misrepresentation in a 1983 wheat sale and must pay $4.6 million in damages, plus costs. The Dec. 14 ruling by Chief Justice Richard J. Scott stems from a trial held in 2009. Wheat board spokeswoman Maureen […] Read more
Frozen wheat lawsuit goes against CWB
CWB fusarium programs to disappear
Farmers plagued with fusarium head blight are likely to see deeper discounts in the wake of the Canadian Wheat Board’s monopoly, the board’s agronomist Mike Grenier says. “I think you’ll see deep discounts pretty quickly on an individual year,” Grenier said during the recent 7th Canadian Workshop on Fusarium Head Blight. “I guess you just […] Read more
Experts see CWB legislation entering legal limbo
A parliamentary expert says federal plans to change the Canadian Wheat Board are likely on hold until the courts have had their final say on last week’s ruling in favour of opponents. "The federal government can get the legislation through Parliament, but they won’t be able to implement it as long as it’s before the […] Read more
Manitoba winter fertilizing ban begins Nov. 10
Did you know the last day to fall-apply fertilizer in Manitoba is Nov. 9? That’s how long Manitoba farmers who still plan to apply fertilizer this fall have to get the job done. Otherwise, they must wait until next April 10 under new regulations that came into effect last spring. Although the changes were announced […] Read more
Farm group under fire from farmers over CWB stance
Mostly it has been farmers fighting the government over the Canadian Wheat Board’s future, now it’s farmer against farmer. Three western Manitoba producers paid for an inserted advertisement in the Manitoba Co-operator last week accusing the Keystone Agriculture Producers (KAP) of not working to save the Canadian Wheat Board and suggesting KAP members request their […] Read more
Manitoba’s KAP bows out of CWB fight
Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP), once a steadfast supporter of the Canadian Wheat Board, now accepts the board is going lose its single desk. Manitoba’s largest farm group now wants to ensure farmers benefit from the controversial change, says KAP president Doug Chorney. “We’re just facing the reality of the circumstances that we find ourselves in,” […] Read more
Falcon wheat to remain a Red Winter, for now
CDC Falcon, Manitoba’s most popular winter wheat, remains a milling wheat in the Canada Western Red Winter wheat (CWRW) class until at least Aug. 1, 2013 — and possibly longer. Todd Hyra, SeCan’s business manager for Western Canada, says some farmers are confused about future changes to the CWRW class. CDC Falcon is still a […] Read more
CWB working on open-market model: MCO
The Canadian Wheat Board is already working on a model for converting the single-desk seller of western barley and wheat into an open-market grain company, the Manitoba Co-operator reports. But for this “new entity” to survive the federal government must make major concessions, including assuming CWB employees’ pension liability, CWB chair Allen Oberg said in […] Read more
Broadcasting seed only option left for some
Broadcast seeding, the option of last resort, could become the only option left to farmers struggling with wet fields and rainy forecasts. Extension officials don’t recommend the strategy, whether by air or floater, but with time running out, they’re offering their best advice for how to make it work. As of May 25, some farmers […] Read more
Manitoba’s goal to save homes in controlled spill zone
A “controlled spill” from the surging Assiniboine River is now set for sometime Saturday, Emergency Measures Minister Steve Ashton said at Thursday’s flood briefing in Winnipeg. A time had yet to be announced. Meanwhile, the goal is still protect the 150 or so homes in the flood zone before the water arrives, he said. “I […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
