(Manitoba Co-operator file photo by Laura Rance)

Manitoba lifts fertilizing ban early

Manitoba farmers are cleared to apply spring fertilizer and manure on their fields, now that the ban which was supposed to last for another week and a half has been lifted. Soil temperatures across the province have risen to the point that the restriction — otherwise in effect each year between Nov. 10 and the following […] Read more

This 2009 photo of alfalfa plots highlights the long-term consequences of neglecting soil phosphorus. The alfalfa in the front of the photo received composted beef cattle manure after years of receiving no phosphorus. The alfalfa at the back of the plot did not receive any additional phosphorus and has suffered dramatically. (Martin Entz photo)

Minogue: Rebalance your fields’ phosphorus bank accounts

While your crop rotations and your seeding practices have evolved into something your grandfather might not recognize, recommended phosphorous guidelines for Manitoba farmers haven’t changed in more than 20 years. Over the past year, Manitoba soil fertility experts came together to fill this gap. John Heard (Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development), Cindy Grant (Agriculture […] Read more


soybean pods on a plant

Price impacts soy seeding rates

Researchers say growers should evaluate input costs, plant survival rate

According to a recently completed three-year study into the effects of lower seeding rates on soybean yields, growers must pay attention to both the cost of seed and individual plant survival rates when making seeding rate decisions. This is one of the conclusions in a study by Ron Tone, Jordan Karpinchick and Elizabeth Karpinchick of […] Read more

sunflower

Making money growing sunflowers

Sunflowers can be very profitable in some parts of the Prairies. If you can manage sclerotinia

Agronomists say the biggest threat facing Manitoba sunflower growers is sclerotinia (head and stem rot), but the fungal disease can be managed with proper crop rotation and fungicide applications. This formed part of the message of a presentation submitted to the Manitoba Agronomists’ Conference at the University of Manitoba in December. According to Troy Turner, […] Read more


a flooded field

Excess water and farm drainage: Part 1 of 3

In the first part of the a three-part series, Les Henry tackles the dreaded 
“D-word” that can get folks’ dander up. That’s right. Drainage

This is Part 1 of a three-part series on drainage. Part 2 will deal with water quality and Part 3 with wet cycles and extreme weather. The past few years have been “back to the 1950s” for rain. Excess water has been the result. The 1950s spawned the Conservation and Development Branch (C&D) of Saskatchewan […] Read more

Dealers must provide machinery parts

We look up the rules to see what rights equipment buyers have when it comes to getting repair parts

We were recently given another mission by our readers. A few farmers wanted us to investigate and report on what obligations machinery dealers have when it comes to providing repair parts. We set to work looking up the laws that apply to dealers, manufacturers and distributors when it comes to supporting the equipment they sell […] Read more



Premier Stephen Harper and Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger examine flooded areas around Brandon in July 2014. (PMO photo by Jill Thompson)

Manitoba seeks more climate-responsive risk management

A Manitoba provincial task force has been set up to seek ways in which farm risk management programs could be “more comprehensive and sustainable” in handling “climate-related challenges” such as floods. “Manitoba’s farmers have told us existing agricultural programs can’t adequately address these climate-related challenges, especially as they become more common,” Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn […] Read more


(Monsanto.com)

Manitoba to boost insurance coverage on pedigreed soybeans

Increased coverage for pedigreed soybeans is among the changes planned for Manitoba’s provincial crop insurance program for the 2015 growing season. Soybeans are expected to be the largest pedigreed seed crop in Manitoba this year, the province said in a release, and the increased coverage is expected to reflect the “additional cost” of producing the […] Read more

(CanolaCouncil.org)

Grasshopper risk light in most of Western Canada

CNS Canada — Most of Western Canada is expected to see low populations of grasshoppers in 2015, although there are a few areas of concern, according to forecasts from the three provinces. Most of Manitoba has a low risk of seeing high grasshopper populations this year, according to a forecast from Manitoba Agriculture, Food and […] Read more