AgriPost April 25 2025

Manitoba Backs New Global Cereals Innovation Hub with $13M Investment

opportunities—because

By Harry Siemens

Cereals Canada announced it has received $13 million in new funding from the Government of Manitoba to support the development of the Global Agriculture Technology Exchange (Gate), a state-of-theart facility designed to drive innovation and expand global market access for Canadian cereal grains.

The investment brought Gates’ total raised to $31.5 million. The facility will be headquartered at Cereals Canada’s downtown Winnipeg location and aims to secure Canada’s position as a world leader in cereal exports through advanced technical support, innovation, and strategic marketing.

“This is a substantial investment from the Government of Manitoba for the future of Canadian cereals,” said Dean Dias, CEO of Cereals Canada. “Gate is an essential investment in diversifying our markets and mitigating trade risk, providing global buyers with trusted technical knowledge and expertise, and maintaining Canada’s leadership as a consistent supplier of high-quality cereal grains.”

With Canadian cereal exports valued at $11.9 billion in 2024, Gate is in a position to play a crucial role in sustaining and growing Canada’s global market share. Canada expects to export 26.2 million tonnes of wheat this year alone, rank-

ing second globally and first in high-protein, high-quality wheat exports.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew praised the investment’s strategic importance.

“We’re looking for more places to do business—we’re looking for more opportunities—because agriculture is the backbone of our western Canadian economy and our Manitoba economy,” Kinew said. “The Gate project is an amazing opportunity for us to do a ton of heavy lifting to bring our goods to market.”

Kinew added, “This is a good long-term investment in ensuring the backbone of our Western Canadian economy stays strong.”

The announcement occurred inside Cereals Canada’s pilot bakery, one of six technical labs in the Winnipeg headquarters. These facilities have been essential to Canadian cereal innovation and customer service for over 50 years.

“For over five decades, these specialized laboratories have provided world-class technical support, advocacy, and expertise to ensure customer success,” said Dias. “Gate will allow us to scale up those resources, maintain and grow markets, and strengthen industry relationships, which is vital for the long-term resilience of Canada’s cereals sector.”

Continued on Page 2...

The Manitoba government will provide farmers and producers with more than $150 million in supports, including $10 million to match federal AgriStability funding.

“We’re standing up for Westman and Western Canada, and protecting your jobs,” said Premier Wab Kinew. “With $150 million in supports for agriculture, we’re making sure that farmers and producers can weather the economic uncertainty we’re facing and protecting jobs in the agriculture industry.”

The Manitoba government will provide $10 million in additional matching funds for the AgriStability program, as well as $140.8 million for business risk management programming including AgriInsurance, Wildlife Damage Compensation and AgriInvest.

The premier noted the province is also working with farmers, producers and businesses to protect jobs, strengthen Manitoba’s economy and respond to tariffs from China and the United States, in addition to working with Keystone Agricultural Producers toward a number of shared goals to support Manitoba agriculture including:

- identifying opportunities to remove regulatory barriers to grow value-added food processing businesses;

- advancing trade work in Manitoba’s interest including collaboration with other provinces and engagement with key U.S. states critical to Manitoba’s trading relationship that will be hurt by potential tariffs; and - advocating to the federal government and working to deliver policies and investments in value-added processing, improvements to business risk management programs and access to the capital producers need.

on Page 3...

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew praised the investment’s strategic importance. “We’re looking for more places to do business—we’re looking for more

agriculture is the backbone of our western Canadian and our Manitoba economies,” Kinew said.

Submitted photo

A Wakeup Call for Canadian Agriculture

By Elmer Heinrichs

The Trump threats against Canada are a wakeup call for the federal and provincial governments on the agricultural front, which has not received the attention it should have for far too long, says Tyler Bjornson, principal and founder of T. Bjornson and Associates Consulting.

There has been too little attention paid to an export development strategy for farm and food products, said Bjornson, whose experience in Ottawa includes time working on Parliament Hill as a political advisor, told a webinar organized by the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute.

The Barton report issued nearly a decade ago had plenty of ideas for an agriculture export strategy but little follow-up action on it has been under taken, he said.

“There have been lots of ideas but little implementation.”

The threat of U.S. tariffs has inspired a lot of ideas and one that deserves increased attention is focusing on supplying more products to the Canadian domestic market. While there are hopes that the U.S. disruption will be short term, “our domestic market is a big opportunity for Canadian agriculture to change consumer buying habits.”

As well, the agrifood sector should pay more attention to countries such as India, Japan, Mexico, Brazil and Nigeria. Increased biofuel production is another opportunity for increasing sales in the Canadian and export markets.

“We need to focus on getting Canadian processors to spend more to meet the domestic demand for our products,” Bjornson said. “We

need to focus on making Canadian agriculture stronger. We need cool strong heads to reach a deal. We can overcome challenges with level-headed policies.”

Travis Toews, a former Alberta agriculture minister and former president of the Canadian Cattle Association, said the beef sector in Canada and the U.S. has a naturally beneficial relationship that tariffs would ruin.

“They would have a significant effect on Canadian producers and raise the issue of compensation,” said Toews.

The starting point should be enhancing existing programs such as AgriStability but not to the level that it blunts market signals.

“We have no interest in a trade war but it is absolutely critical to have a policy in place to protect producers,” Toews said. “We need to get to a good end.”

Manitoba Backs New Global Cereals Innovation Hub with $13M Investment

The Gate facility has strong industry backing. Alberta Grains, Sask Wheat, Mani-

toba Crop Alliance, Grain Farmers of Ontario, and Quebec’s Producteurs de Grains have collectively pledged $13.5 million. Cereals Canada has contributed $5 million of its funding, reflecting broad national support from producers and partners.

JoAnne Buth, Chair of the Gate Capital Campaign Cabinet, emphasized the need for this kind of infrastructure.

“The recent volatility in trade relations underscores the urgent need for market diversification,” said Buth.

“The Gate facility is a needed resource to help us meet this challenge and continue to position Canada as a premier, reliable supplier of highquality cereals for decades to come.”

In March, the Gate Capital Campaign Cabinet announced unanimous support for the project, calling it a critical initiative to strengthen Canada’s cereal market resilience and innovation. Gate will provide a centralized hub for technical services, applied research, and global marketing to align Canadian cereal offerings with the demands of today’s evolving markets.

Buth described the broader vision: “Gate is not just an investment in agriculture—it’s

Continued from Page 1...

an investment in Canada’s economic future and sustainable industry growth.”

The Cabinet seeks additional funding from provincial and federal governments and industry stakeholders to complete the project.

“The future of Canadian cereals depends on this strategic investment in market diversification and innovation,” said Buth.

Global cereal exports generate $68.8 billion in annual economic activity and employ 370,000 full-time workers across Canada, making the sector a vital economic driver. Canada exports cereals to over 80 countries each year.

“This facility will give Canada a competitive edge through stronger technical capacity, better customer engagement, and faster responses to changing global needs,” Dias said.

As construction plans advance, the Gate Capital Campaign Cabinet and Cereals Canada will continue working to raise the remaining funds needed to realize the project entirely.

The goal is clear: ensure Canada’s cereals sector remains globally competitive, resilient, and ready for the future.

By Elmer Heinrichs

National Leaders Debate Highlights Visions for Canadian Agriculture

By Harry Siemens tic

On April 17, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) hosted its National Agricultural Leaders’ Debate, gathering key political representatives to discuss the future of Canada’s agriculture sector.

Moderated by RealAgriculture founder Shaun Haney and La Terre de chez nous journalist Martin Ménard, the debate featured lively exchanges on trade, risk management, sustainability, infrastructure, and regulatory modernization.

Participants included: Kody Blois (Liberal Party), John Barlow (Conservative Party) Heather Ray (New Democratic Party), Yves Perron (Bloc Québécois), and Dr. Maria Rodriguez (Green Party of Canada).

The discussion, gave farm leaders and rural Canadians a chance to compare each party’s approach to key issues impacting producers and agri-businesses nationwide. Competitiveness and Risk Management

All five parties supported reducing interprovincial trade barriers and modernizing regulations to boost domestic market growth. While there was consensus that Business Risk Management (BRM) programs must be more efficient and timely, the Conservatives and Greens pushed for a full-scale review.

“We need to take a hard look at BRM programming to ensure it’s meeting the realworld challenges our farmers face,” said John Barlow, Conservative agriculture critic.

Liberal MP Kody Blois, current Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Rural Economic Development responded by pointing to past Conservative cuts.

“Let’s not forget who slashed BRM funding in the first place,” said Blois. Blois also focused on Liberal funding of $200 million to domes-

processing and $30 million to agri-marketing initiatives.

Across party lines, there was agreement that regulatory agencies such as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) must apply an economic lens when making decisions.

“A competitiveness lens is essential,” said Heather Ray of the NDP. “Regulations must support sustainable agriculture without holding farmers back.”

Trade and Supply Management

Another unifying theme was the importance of global trade and the need to defend Canadian producers in upcoming trade talks. Each representative strongly supported maintaining and protecting supply management during future trade negotiations.

All parties called for a firm stance on the upcoming review of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

“We must stand strong to protect Canadian agriculture,” said Yves Perron of the Bloc Québécois.

Both the Liberals and Conservatives voiced opposition to country-of-origin labelling (COOL) provisions in the U.S., which could harm Canadian exports. Barlow added that a Conservative government would repeal recent regulations on plastic packaging and front-of-pack labelling, describing them as unnecessary trade irritants.

Infrastructure and Broadband Access

When the topic shifted to infrastructure, there was agreement that reliable transportation and updated port facilities are key to export growth and trade diversification.

“Investing in our ports is critical if we want to access new global markets,” said Dr. Maria Rodriguez of the Green Party.

All participants also linked broadband connectivity with attracting younger generations to agriculture and easing rural labour shortages.

“If we want young people to choose farming, they need access to digital tools and modern infrastructure,” said Blois.

Barlow highlighted the Conservative commitment to building a national utility corridor. “It would take pressure off rail lines and help move Ag products more efficiently,” he said.

On rail transportation, Liberals supported extending their interswitching pilot program, while Conservatives argued a permanent fix is needed.

A Message from the CFA

CFA President Keith Currie praised the debate as a valuable moment of democratic engagement for farmers.

“The debate is an excellent opportunity to give farmers across the country an idea of their party’s vision for the future, to help inform their votes,” said Currie. “We’re grateful to all the representatives for taking part.”

Currie emphasized the importance of continuing to work collaboratively. “CFA looks forward to working with all parties in the next federal government to help Canadian agriculture reach its vast potential.”

Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada supported the debate, and a full recording is available for those who missed it live.

From risk management to rail lines, the five parties showed broad support for agriculture’s role in Canada’s economy but differed on the details. For farmers and stakeholders, the event offered clear insights into how each party would approach the sector’s future.

The debate can be found on YouTube under “National Agricultural Leaders Debate” for April 17, 2025.

MB Government Providing $150 Million for Agricultural Producers

Continued from Page 1...

Budget 2025’s tariff budget sets aside contin -

“As Manitoba’s general farm organization, advocating for the interests of all Manitoba farmers is our top priority,” said Colin Hornby, general manager, Keystone Agricultural Producers. “We are committed to working collaboratively with the Manitoba government to have the perspectives of all Manitoba farmers reflected in any government efforts to address today’s trade challenges and we thank them for giving us a seat at the table.”

gencies to support Manitobans in the face of U.S. tariffs, including $100 million in support for farmers and producers, bringing Manitoba’s total support for agriculture producers to as much as $250 million, the premier noted.

Candidates square off on the topic of agriculture during a debate hosted by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. (L to R) Maria Rodriguez, Green Party; John Barlow, Conservative Party; Yves Perron, Bloc Québécois; Heather Ray, NDP; Kody Blois, Liberal Party and current Minister of Agriculture and AgriFood. Submitted photo

Read the AgriPost online at agripost.ca

Past issues in archive

60 Years of Manitoba Pork: A Legacy of Change, Challenge, and Commitment

Reflecting on Manitoba Pork’s 60year history, I can’t help but think back to the early 1970s, when the in-

er farms, simpler systems, and a less integrated market. Over the decades, I’ve watched the evolution of the pork sector firsthand: change, progression, and, yes, hardship have all played a role in shaping the Manitoba hog industry into what it is today.

Producers came and went. Some left the industry and occasionally returned—but not often. Board and staff members have changed, too, yet the organization has remained steady, focused, and remarkably effective in running its affairs on behalf of producers. From crisis management to expansion strategies, Manitoba Pork has earned its reputation as a wellrun, producer-driven organization.

At the recent AGM, Manitoba Pork celebrated its 60th anniversary as a milestone and a moment to reflect and plan forward. I spoke with general manager Cam Dahl, who identified three critical turning points in the Council’s history.

The first one was the transition from single-desk selling to an open-market model. That probably was one of the fundamental turning points. It gave producers more control over pricing and marketing and signalled a broader shift toward modernization and competitiveness in the industry.

Second, the processing capacity in Manitoba was expanded, most notably the Maple Leaf plant in Brandon and HyLife in Neepawa.

“That fundamentally changed the industry and created Manitoba as a

centre of pork production in Canada,” says Dahl.

Third, the rise of disease pressure and the industry’s aggressive approach to biosecurity. With major threats like PED, PRRS, and ASF looming, Manitoba Pork and its producers recognized the critical need for coordinated disease prevention and management. That shift transformed how producers designed barns, moved pigs, and trained workers.

Now, another big conversation is on the table: the producer levy.

As Margo Rempel noted during the AGM, “somewhere along the line”, a levy increase may become necessary.

Dahl agrees. “That’s a conversation we’ll have with producers over the next year. And we’ll bring the topic back to our AGM next year.”

Dahl pointed out that in 1997, the levy was $1 per market hog. Today, it’s much lower, and Manitoba has the country’s lowest levy. Meanwhile, inflation has climbed more than 10% in the last five years. Costs for staffing, research, biosecurity, advocacy, and market development continue to rise.

“If we’re going to keep doing all the things that Manitoba Pork does, we’re going to have to have that conversation,” Dahl said.

So what do producers get for their levy dollars?

Dahl quickly lays it out clearly: “It’s a valid question.”

Producers are represented in trade discussions, like the recent tariff is-

sues. They are also involved in the Code of Practice consultations. Producers also receive support in handling disease pressures and regulatory hurdles around expansion. They also receive environmental stewardship work, public trust campaigns, and protection of their license to farm.

In other words, the levy isn’t just about today—it’s about being ready for tomorrow.

“You don’t want to panic when something arises without warning,” said Dahl. “You want to be able to attack it.”

He pointed to the U.S. tariff situation as a case in point.

“We’ve built relationships with our counterparts in the U.S. over time,” he said. “You can’t build that up overnight. But when issues like tariffs arise, we have those connections in place. That pays off.”

The industry stands strong as Manitoba Pork marks six decades of service to producers. Manitoba Pork’s story is one of grit, growth, and grounded leadership, from the transition to open markets and the rise of world-class processing plants to the discipline around biosecurity and the conversations ahead about funding.

The journey has been remarkable for those of us who’ve been there to witness it—from the small barns of the ‘70s to the sophisticated operations of today. As we look forward, that spirit of practical progress will guide Manitoba Pork through the next 60 years.

Buying Canadian Produce May Become Harder for a Few Months

By Elmer Heinrichs

Manitobans who’ve changed their buying habits to support Canadian farmers and businesses will have to decide whether they will purchase vegetables from the U.S. or Mexico as locally grown produce runs out ahead of the spring growing season. Canadian-grown turnips, cabbage, beets and carrots cannot be produced and stored year-round across Canada and typically aren’t available on grocery store shelves in spring, which will impact people boycotting U.S. goods because of the Canada-U.S. trade war. There is increasing uncer-

tainly on U.S. goods as U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed and dialled back high tariffs on Canadian goods.

Peak of the Market, a growerowned business based in Winnipeg, partners with 12 growers in Manitoba and more across Canada to ensure locally grown produce is well-stocked in grocery stores, but at this time of year, the business transitions to produce from other countries.

While Peak of the Market has been expanding its partnerships with growers in Mexico for years, CEO Pamela Kolochuk said heightened tensions

south of the Canadian border have led the company to source more vegetables, like carrots, from Mexico as consumers continue to boycott the U.S.

Potatoes are the only fresh Canadian produce that can be available year-round Canada-wide, because they can be stored long enough to go from harvest to harvest.

Paolo De Luca, a co-owner of De Luca’s in Winnipeg, said 90 per cent of the grocery store’s products are from Manitoba, B.C., Quebec and countries in Europe.

“The only time you’ll ever find

products outside of Canada and Europe in our store is just when it’s readily unavailable completely in Canada,” he said.

De Luca’s sold local products long before the U.S. tariff and sovereignty threats against Canada started, but the co-owners have been paying more attention to where they get their goods based on requests from consumers.

“Everyone is looking for Canadian products. We’re fortunate because we do have a wholesale division, but we’ve done a lot with local manufacturers [to] bring their products to the forefront,” said De Luca.

The processing capacity in Manitoba was expanded, most notably the Maple Leaf plant in Brandon and HyLife in Neepawa.

“That fundamentally changed the industry and created Manitoba as a center of pork production in Canada,” says Cam Dahl, general manger Manitoba Pork.

Canadian Agri-Food Leaders Seek to Strengthen U.S. Trade Ties in Washington

By Harry Siemens

A delegation of Canadian agrifood leaders recently travelled to Washington, DC, to reinforce the importance of cross-border trade in securing jobs, maintaining integrated supply chains, and keeping food affordable across North America.

Led by the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA), the group met with U.S. lawmakers and senior administration officials to promote the mutual benefits of a stable, rules-based agri-food trading relationship between Canada and the United States.

“Canada and the U.S. are not just trading partners—we are production partners,” said Greg Northey, President of CAFTA and VicePresident of Corporate Affairs at Pulse Canada. “Our integrated supply chains create jobs on both sides of the border and provide American consumers with stable, affordable access to food.”

Michael Harvey, Executive Di-

rector of CAFTA, echoed the message with a practical reminder.

“From farm to fork, Canada and the U.S. grow food together,” he said. “This integrated approach lowers costs, improves efficiency, and builds more resilient food systems for both countries.”

The delegation included senior representatives from a broad range of Canadian agri-food organizations, including the Canadian Cattle Association, Canadian Canola Growers Association, Canadian Pork Council, Cereals Canada, CropLife Canada, the Canola Council of Canada, and the Grain Growers of Canada.

The group’s top priorities were preserving integrated supply chains, reducing trade barriers, and strengthening North American global market competitiveness.

“We went down there to talk about how it’s important not to backtrack on North American integration in agri-food,” said Harvey in a fol-

low-up interview.

“Our integrated supply chains make a big contribution to American consumers by keeping prices down and to American producers by making them more competitive.”

Asked about the response in Washington, Harvey said, “I’d say well received in general. People on both sides of the political aisle were very welcoming. All in all, it was very positive.”

But Harvey stressed that the job needs more work.

“We’re going to keep in close contact with U.S. counterparts who have a role in shaping the political system,” he said. “We must understand it’s not Canadians who will decide these issues—Americans. But by providing facts about Canada that are important to them, we can help them make the right decisions.”

Harvey offered practical examples of how deeply integrated the agri-food systems already are.

“Look at cattle—there are U.S. processing plants that just aren’t viable without Canadian cattle,” he said. “Or food processing—American products like Cheerios depend on Canadian oats. You’ll find examples like that across every commodity.”

He added that uncertainty is one of the greatest threats to the agricultural economy.

“Uncertainty is terrible for business—including farm business,”

Harvey said. “We need to move away from it. That was one of our key messages to American politicians and their advisors.”

When asked about Canada’s efforts to diversify trade with other global partners, Harvey welcomed the idea but emphasized priorities.

“It’s positive—it helps protect us when we sell in other countries,” he said. “But we’re not going to overcome the barriers of geography. We’ll never replace the fact that we have the world’s greatest market right next door.”

He believes both strategies— diversification and U.S. integration—can happen in parallel. “But we’ve got to make the relationship with the U.S. work,” Harvey said.

Beyond agri-food, Harvey said American leaders recognize the broader value of the Canada–U.S. relationship.

“When you talk to Americans in D.C., they say many positive things about Canada,” he said. “It goes far beyond agri-food. We need to keep hammering home to work better together.”

Is Canada’s federal government showing strong leadership in trade matters?

“I think it’ll be good for the relationship once following the current election is over. We will have a government in place and can concentrate on that,” he said. “Electoral periods are always very tough to manage things rationally.”

In the end, Harvey said the message remains simple: “We need to be focused and steady to make the most of this partnership.”

Manitoba Premier Seeks Hudson Bay Port to Increase Trade with Europe

By Elmer Heinrichs

Premier Wab Kinew on Tuesday raised the idea of creating a second port on Hudson Bay as Manitoba hosted a delegation of European Union diplomats looking to forge stronger links with the province.

European Union Ambassador Geneviève Tuts and 18 heads of mission of European member states met with Kinew at the legislative building.

“We’re looking for closer relationships … given what’s happening with the U.S. right now,” Kinew told reporters after a

closed-door meeting with the delegation, which arrived Monday for a two-day visit. “I think that relationship, for the economy, is going to make sense for decades to come,” he added, saying he fully expects a post-Trump U.S. administration to maintain some protectionist policies.

The gathering was a chance to show the countries, which represent a market of 450 million people, that Manitoba is open for business, he said. With the trade threats made by U.S. President Donald Trump, there is a need to

look at options for exports, which could include another port away from Churchill, Kinew said.

“The port at Churchill or another port in Hudson Bay is an amazing economic opportunity for us in Manitoba and across Canada,” Kinew said.

The EU heads of the mission were also meeting with the Business Council of Manitoba and the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, and tour the Canadian North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) headquarters and CentrePort Canada,

a key hub for international trade.

The delegation is made up of the ambassadors and high commissioners of Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

Critical minerals and green energy were two subjects Germany’s ambassador to Canada planned to explore during his first Manitoba visit.

Representative Mike Bost. Chairman of Veterans Affairs Committee and Member of the Ag Committee.

Representative Blake Moore. Member of the House Ways and Means committee, the committee responsible for trade.

Stay Calm, Trade Smart: Manitoba Voices Urge Ottawa to Avoid Tariff Trap

By Harry Siemens

Southwestern Manitoba Farmer and Former Politician Urge Ottawa to Stay Calm, Diversify in Face of U.S. Tariff Threats

As U.S. President Donald Trump imposes sweeping new tariffs on 75 trading partners—ranging from 10 to 50 percent—a farmer and a former cabinet minister in Manitoba

are urging Canada to respond with patience, not panic.

Although the U.S. excluded Canada and Mexico from the latest round of tariffs announced on April 2, the threat of future levies looms.

Jim Downey, a long time farmer in southwestern Manitoba and a former provincial cabinet minister, says it’s critical that Canada not overreact.

For Jim Downey, retaliation is not the answer. “The worst thing we can do is overplay the hand of retribution,” he said. “They bring in tariffs. We bring in tariffs to counter them. Then he goes around and ups the tariff again. So you’re in a spiral to the ground.”

“It’s an interesting observation that I do not believe that Mexico imposed any countervailing duties on the duties by the U.S. government on them,” Downey said. “Again, we’re all revved up about this thing, but I think cooler heads will prevail.”

Downey believes we’re in a temporary situation with people on edge, but he sees opportunity on the horizon.

“I think, as we move down the road a little bit, we will find other markets, we will find other friends, we will do other things that will enhance trade,” he said. “It will take some time and some resources.”

For Downey, retaliation is not the answer.

“The worst thing we can do is overplay the hand of retribution,” he said. “They bring in tariffs. We bring in tariffs to counter them. Then he goes around and ups the tariff again.

So you’re in a spiral to the ground.”

He pointed to Mexico’s restraint as a model.

“To retaliate is a political action that, under normal conditions, might not be the best way to go,” he said. “And the Mexican President showed that. They are not retaliating against the U.S. tariffs.”

Downey added, “A tariff is nothing more than a tax on people, whether eating or buying cars. A trade war is a race to the bottom that nobody wins at the end of the day.”

Dr. Jon Gerrard, a former Manitoba Liberal leader, Federal MP, and cabinet minister, calls for a two-pronged strategy: diplomatic engagement and economic diversification.

“In this context, I believe there are two areas where we need to focus,” Gerrard said. “One is working with individuals, companies, and people in the United States to try and persuade Trump that the direction things are going is not good.”

He wants Canada to push for a return to low or no tariffs on agricultural products, but he also says Canada must prepare for longerterm changes.

“The second thing is that we need to think about where we are at the

moment and imagine what our economy would be like if we were less reliant on the United States,” he said. “There’s been a lot of talk about improving our markets outside the United States.”

Dr. Gerrard pointed to India as a key opportunity.

“They’ve got 1.4 billion people,” he said. “There’s a big market for food in India, and I think we should be working with countries like India—and not just India, but many countries around the world where there’s potential for markets for our food.”

Beyond exporting, Dr. Gerrard advocates for boosting Canadian-made products to replace U.S. imports.

“We should be doing things and making products and producing more of our needs right here in Canada,” he said.

He sees agriculture as a key driver of that growth.

“There are a lot of good examples of potential products that we could produce in Canada, including a number in agriculture,” said Dr. Gerrard.

As uncertainty persists, both Downey and Dr. Gerrard agree that Canada must stay calm, invest in building new trade relationships, and strengthen its domestic production capacity. They say the answer lies in patience, partnerships, and a clear view of the long game.

Dr. Jon Gerrard, a former Manitoba Liberal leader, Federal MP, and cabinet minister, calls for a two-pronged strategy: diplomatic engagement and economic diversification.

File photos

Pork Pride and Purpose on Display at Royal Manitoba Winter Fair

By Harry Siemens

Manitoba Pork Council Chair Rick Prejet delivered a strong message of appreciation, pride, and resilience as he addressed the Pork Quality Luncheon during the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair. Speaking to a room filled with producers, stakeholders, and provincial politicians—including Premier Wab Kinew—Prejet highlighted Manitoba’s hog sector’s economic impact and generous spirit.

“I’d like to recognize everybody here—the ministers and others—for your presence and support,” said Prejet. “We know we’re going through some trying times, but I appreciate your support. It means a lot.”

Representing the province’s hog farmers, who produce 8 million pigs annually; Prejet emphasized the sector’s vital contribution to Manitoba’s economy.

“Manitoba’s hog farmers are proud of the economic impact we have,” he said. “Each year, Manitoba’s hog sector contributes $2.03 billion to the provincial GDP, which supports government investments across our province.”

He also highlighted the industry’s employment reach.

“We are responsible for 22,000 jobs across Manitoba—that’s enough to fill both the Canada Life Centre and Shaw Park combined,” said Prejet. “And we’re thrilled to be joined today by some of the folks who make up those 19,000 people working hard in the sector.”

Despite the sector’s strength, Prejet acknowledged the mounting pressures on producers, emphasizing that today the sector’s resilience faces many tests.

“The threat of tariffs and economic uncertainty strained our producers and economy,” he said.

He thanked the provincial government for recognizing these challenges and responding.

“We would like to thank the government for establishing a $100 million contingency fund to support producers like ours,” Prejet said.

Yet through it all, he affirmed the unwavering commitment of hog farmers.

“Manitoba hog producers will continue to do what they do best—feed the world with high-quality protein,” he said.

A central part of the luncheon was the announcement of winners from the Pork Quality competition, a longstanding tradition that showcases Manitoba-raised pork’s excellence and highlights local producers’ community spirit.

In the 2025 Pork Quality competition at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, Riverside Colony of Rivers, Manitoba, earned 1st Place / Grand Champion, generously donating their charitable winnings to the Neepawa Hospital. Treesbank Colony, located near Glenboro, Manitoba, secured 2nd Place / Reserve Champion and chose to support The HEART Team with their donation. Wellwood Colony of Wellwood, Manitoba, took 3rd Place, directing their charitable contribution to Christian Aid Ministries. These thoughtful donations highlight Manitoba’s hog producers’ strong community values and generosity.

Prejet also thanked East 40 Packers for processing the pork and donating it to local food banks.

“Their support ensures the benefits of this tradition extend far beyond this room,” he said. “The Pork Quality Adventure is a proud part of the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair. It’s a chance for our producers to showcase their dedication, hard work, and commitment to sustainable farming practices.”

Prejet closed by thanking everyone involved. “Thank you again for being here and allowing me to speak to you,” he said. I look forward to the rest of the evening and knowing what lies ahead for our industry.”

Wayne Buhr, co-chair of the Provincial Exhibition and emcee for the luncheon, offered insight into how the event supports celebration and charity.

“Sponsor money comes to this event and goes into the prize pool,” Buhr said. “We do take a cut to help prepare for the meal. But most of the money goes into the prize pool.”

He emphasized the giving spirit at the heart of the event.

“Fifty percent of all the winnings from any winner goes to the charity of their choice,” Buhr said. “So, in addition to the food banks, several charities in the area will be getting the cheque.”

Buhr then introduced long time judge Jason Care, who walked the audience through the judging process behind the competition.

“Just to do a quick summary of how I judge and the criteria,” said Care. “Producers help set the criteria. We award points for back fat, loin, carcass index, loin eye, and belly. All these comparisons help figure out the best marketable pig.”

Care expressed admiration for the precision and consistency of the entries.

“It blows my mind to think that these producers get pigs between 96 and 104 kilograms to match measurements within millimetres,” he said. “Every pig entered is a winner to start with.”

He also noted the positive community impact of the event.

“Knowing this kind of quality pork goes to food banks to feed the less fortunate—another great part of this event,” Care added. “I’m blessed to be involved.”

Scoring was extremely close this year, with first Place earning 94 points, second place 92, third 89, fourth 87, and fifth 85—demonstrating just how competitive the field was.

Care closed by thanking all participants and handing the microphone back to announce winners, reminding everyone that excellence and generosity go hand-in-hand in Manitoba’s hog industry.

From left to right, Wayne Buhr, co-chair Provincial Ex, Joseph Hofer, Lorenz Gross and David Hofer of Riverside Colony, Premier Wab Kinew and MPC chair Rick Prejet.

At the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, Manitoba Pork’s ever-popular booth in the Royal Farmyard attracted thousands of visitors. The display featured two pigs in a custom-built pen, interactive activities, a “Squeal on Pigs” information area, and nutrition resources—all aimed at educating the public about Manitoba’s hog sector in a fun and engaging way.

Photos by Harry Siemens

West Spring Percherons Top Winner in Heavy Horse Classes

By Joan Airey

Cody Ferguson and his partner, Kacee Gee topped heavy horse classes at the 2025 Royal Manitoba Winter Fair coming home with Champion ribbons in every class. Cody is a trucker and trains heavy and light horses, something he has done all his life growing up with horses. Scott Cody’s father trains seventy horses a year.

“I’m a Human Massage Therapist working at Minnedosa. I am also a trained Equine Therapist. I grew up working with horses on my family’s farm in the Virden Area.” said Kacee Gee.

One of the heavy horse shows Kacee is helping to organize with her Dad Grant Gee is the Virden Heavy horse show which is taking place July 26 and 27. If you love watching heavy horses it’s the place to be.

Sharing Pride in Cattle and Community

By Harry Siemens

In April, the enthusiastic Manitoba Junior Angus members participated in the Southwest Bull Development Bull Sale and hosted a pie fundraiser. Connecting with the community and raising funds for junior activities was a fantastic opportunity.

“Thank you to the Southwest Bull Development Centre for the invitation and support,”

Cody Nolan posted on Facebook and that the group is grateful to Henry Meats for providing the delicious pies and to KCH Cattle Co. for donating the ice cream.

“It was a great opportunity to connect with the community and raise funds for junior activities,” he said.

With support from the Southwest Bull Development Centre, Henry Meats, and KCH Cattle Co., the event brought people together for a sweet cause.

Beyond supporting junior cattlemen, Nolan is a dedicated farmer himself.

“Yeah, I am,” he said when asked if he farms. “We run about 30 purebred Black Angus cattle and 300 commercial cows.”

He farms near Cypress River, Manitoba, where he works closely with his family and a long time friend who is also his business partner.

“We farm together,” he said, reflecting the teamwork that drives his operation.

At 38, Nolan continues to build on a foundation rooted in tradition and innovation. Whether supporting junior Angus pro-

grams or managing his herd, he brings energy and commitment to everything he does in agriculture.

“The sale went well,” Nolan said. “There was a good turnout, and the pies sold great. People seemed happy to support the juniors.”

He explained that having the Manitoba Junior Angus Association participate added a positive community feel to the event.

“It was a good way to get the juniors out there, interacting with people and being part of the cattle world beyond just the show ring,” he said.

Nolan said his involvement with the juniors came naturally through his daughter.

“She’s 11, and just in the past year or so, became more involved,” he said. “So that’s kind of pulled me in more too.”

His leadership on the Manitoba Angus board also allows him to stay connected and support youth engagement.

“I sit on the Manitoba Angus board, so I kind of oversee the juniors and help them when they need things,” Nolan said. “It’s important to give back and keep things moving forward.”

Looking ahead, he said that he’s excited to see more juniors participate in events and build their knowledge in the cattle industry.

“It’s not just about showing—it’s about learning how the business works, how to handle cattle, and being part of the bigger picture,” said Nolan.

He said prices have been amazing this spring.

“I think it’s exceeded everybody’s expectations of what they would be,” said Nolan.

While he focuses on cattle, he doesn’t crop any land.

“Everything just goes for

the cattle,” he said. “We don’t crop at all.”

When marketing his commercial calves, Cody said they go where the best price is.

“This past year, we took our calves to Gladstone Auction Mart,” he said. “We’ve looked at doing something with the Team, like an online sale or teaming up with others, but so far, we’ve stuck with the auction mart—and if it works, we keep doing it.”

Nolan said he’d love to grow the herd, but land access limits that.

“If we could get more pasture, then we would try to expand,” he said. “In our area, pasture is hard to come by.”

Nolan said they haul most of their cattle about two hours away to community pastures to keep things running.

“That’s a challenge,” he admitted. “But it’s what we must do right now to make it work.”

Returning to the Manitoba Junior Angus Association, Nolan said the fundraising efforts are going well, and his daughter’s involvement is a natural fit.

“Both,” he said when asked if she joined because of his or her interest. “She enjoys it lots, and I’ve been part of the association for a few years now— now she’s an up-and-comer.”

Nolan says the pastures look promising so far.

“If we get some heat and moisture, they’ll be good,” he said, noting that fall and winter brought decent moisture, setting up a solid start.

As for feed, he grows his own. “We do corn silage— it’s all grown here.”

Cody Ferguson drives his six horse hitch of Percherons at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair for a first place win accompanied by his dad Scott Ferguson.

Photo by Joan Airey

The enthusiastic Manitoba Junior Angus members participated in the Southwest Bull Development Bull Sale and hosted a pie fundraiser.

“It was a great opportunity to connect with the community and raise funds for junior activities,” Cody Nolan said. Submitted photos

Canadian Meat Council Launches Protein PACT Sustainability Framework for Meat Processing Sector

The Canadian Meat Council (CMC) has announced the launch of the Protein PACT sustainability framework in Canada, marking a major step toward enhancing environmental and social responsibility in the country’s meat processing industry.

Originally developed by the U.S.-based Meat Institute, the Protein PACT (People, Animals, Climate of Tomorrow) is a collaborative platform designed to align the animal protein sector with global sustainable development goals. Its expansion into Canada aims to foster crossborder cooperation and drive progress in key areas such as environmental stewardship, animal welfare, worker well-being, and community engagement.

By adopting this framework, Canadian meat processors will now have the tools to advance sustainability

practices collectively and precompetitively, contributing to industry-wide improvements in transparency, accountability, and innovation.

“Canada’s red meat processing sector already operates with sophisticated, science-based practices and robust systems,” said Chris White, President and CEO of the Canadian Meat Council.

“The Protein PACT gives us a unified platform to share our progress, highlight leadership, and demonstrate the integrity of our sector to stakeholders both at home and abroad.”

The CMC’s move reflects a broader trend within the North American meat industry toward sustainable growth and greater public accountability. By integrating the Protein PACT into its operations, the Canadian meat sector joins a larger network of industry stakeholders working together to meet the evolving expec-

tations of consumers, regulators, and the global market.

“By uniting industry stakeholders under a common framework, the Protein PACT will ensure that Canada’s meat processors can continuously improve their operations to achieve the highest standards of sustainability, transparency, and accountability,” added Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute.

The Canadian rollout of the Protein PACT is expected to accelerate progress on measurable sustainability goals and strengthen the sector’s role in addressing future food security and climate challenges.

As the Protein PACT gains traction on both sides of the border, it underscores the importance of shared solutions in building a more resilient and responsible protein supply chain across North America.

Clubroot Guru Recognized with Canola Award of Excellence

At a CropConnect Conference banquet in Winnipeg, the Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA) honoured Dr. Stephen Strelkov, Professor of Plant Pathology at the University of Alberta with the 2025 Canola Award of Excellence.

The Canola Award of Excellence is presented annually and recognizes the accomplishments of individuals and organizations for contributions to the sustained growth

“Strelkov’s work towards the understanding of clubroot and genetic resistance has contributed to providing Manitoba canola farmers management options to proactively address clubroot,” says Warren Ellis, Chair of MCGA. “Clubroot is increasing in the province and without Strelkov’s work Manitoba canola acres would have suffered a much greater impact.”

Feeling very honoured, Strelkov was touched to be recognized with the award. “It is very meaningful, espe-

cially coming from a grower group. I feel like I have had a positive impact from our research, I am very grateful for this recognition.”

MCGA selected Strelkov not only in recognition of his over two decades of research, which has had a significant impact on canola production, but also for his contributions to training the next generation of researchers. Over the past 21 years, he has supervised or co-supervised 44 Master’s and Doctoral thesis’ and is currently guiding 12 more, greatly enhancing Canada’s capacity for clubroot research.

“Being a professor is challenging, but it is also very rewarding,” says Strelkov. “Working with people–students and collaborators–makes it all worthwhile. At the end of the day, it’s gratifying to know that we may have contributed to managing a problem and increased the capacity by training new people to help tackle it.”

Manitoba Canola Growers are thrilled to recognize Stephen Strelkov with the 2025 Canola Award of Excellence and would like to thank him for his contributions in increasing our understanding of the clubroot pathogen across the prairies and training.

Manitoba Canola Growers are thrilled to recognize Stephen Strelkov with the 2025 Canola Award of Excellence and would like to thank him for his contributions in increasing our understanding of the clubroot pathogen across the prairies and training. Submitted photo

Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance Encourages Stakeholders to Join as Sector Booms

With Canada’s hemp industry experiencing unprecedented growth, the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance (CHTA) is urging stakeholders across the sector to join its expanding network and take part in shaping the future of this dynamic and fast-growing market. As the leading national organization for hemp advocacy, research, and collaboration, CHTA continues to be a key resource for industry stakeholders, government bodies, and consumers seeking credible insight and opportunities within the multibillion-dollar hemp space.

The CHTA is positioning membership as a vital tool for staying competitive in a rapidly evolving sector. Farmers, processors, manufacturers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and distributors are all encouraged to take advantage of the organization’s robust support network. Through membership, individuals and companies gain direct access to influential stakeholders, valuable industry data, and collaborative opportunities that can propel business success. Members also have

the opportunity to participate in governance by voting at member meetings, joining CHTA committees, or sitting on the organization’s Board of Directors.

In addition to governance and networking benefits, CHTA members enjoy exclusive perks such as discounted rates for the annual Hemp Canada Conference and Expo and opportunities to participate in high-profile international trade shows. Among the upcoming events supported by the organization are the NOCO Hemp Conference and Expo in Colorado this April, the EIHA Conference and Experience Hemp Berlin in June, and the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim in March 2026. These global platforms offer Canadian businesses exposure to new markets, innovations, and international partnerships.

CHTA continues to lead efforts in standardizing the hemp industry and advocating for its development. In 2024, the organization played a pivotal role in shaping hemp classification standards through its collaboration with ASTM

International, helping to ensure quality and consistency across the supply chain. In 2025, CHTA remains at the forefront of industry innovation by supporting advanced research and partnerships exploring hemp’s role in sustainable construction and environmental solutions.

Membership dues help sustain the organization’s broad portfolio of essential services, including market development, policy advocacy, public education, scientific research, and the establishment of industry standards. With sustainability and innovation at its core, the Canadian hemp sector is poised to become a transformative force in agriculture, and CHTA members will be leading the charge.

For those interested in joining or learning more about membership opportunities, inquiries can be directed to eventmanager@hemptradeevent. com.

Looks Like Spring Might Be Here!

By Joan Airey

In Manitoba we can never count on spring staying. The year I was married it was 75F on April 7 and less than two weeks later we had a blizzard and had to bring all the baby calves back into the barn.

My plants are all growing under lights but hope to move them into the greenhouse at the beginning of May. We’ve enjoyed fresh radishes from under the lights and I have green onions and the radishes growing now. I plan to start lettuce next week. My goal is to try to grow my lettuce, radishes, and onions on the patio in pots this year.

My cousin lives five miles west of me and has no problem growing radishes in his garden but there is so much canola growing around us I normally lose my garden radishes to the flea beetles.

T&T Seeds sent me a brochure on storing seeds and I’d like to share that advice with you.

Storing seeds properly allows them to stay viable for as long as possible.

- Keep in a cool, dry area

- Keep envelopes and put in a glass, metal or plastic airtight container.

- You can also put seeds in

by

of plants for spring looked great at

greenhouse a glass jar in the freezer

To maintain the quality of seeds, remember to follow the steps below for taking your seeds out of the freezer or refrigerator.

- Set the jar out on a kitchen table or shelf for 12 hours so it can reach room temperature. This will prevent moisture from condensing on the seeds.

- Expose the seeds to air by opening the lid for a few days before planting

- Refrain from moving seeds from the freezer to room temperature more than once, as each transfer will reduce the viability of the seeds.

If you want to see what T & T

grown

Seeds has to say on their website is at www.ttseeds.com.

“Start With Soil” is a new book which contains steps for a thriving garden. You can use Juliet Sargeant’s advice for gardening for better soil, with tried and tested methods for making simple compost, feeding your soil, protecting your soil, and introductions to No Dig gardening, Hügelkultur and rain gardens.

Manitoba Fruit Industry Set to Grow

By Elmer Heinrichs

The Manitoba fruit and nut farming industry is projected to experience growth, with the industry expected to increase over the next five years.

The Fruit & Nut Farming industry in Manitoba is estimating growth to $29.7 million over the five years to 2025. Favourable growing conditions, increased demand, and

government support for the industry are expected to contribute to this growth.

While specific crop outlooks for 2025 are not provided in the search results, the industry is expected to benefit from a diverse crop mix, including fruit and nuts, with potential for growth in specific areas based on market trends and weather conditions.

April 2025, Manitoba fruit growers are facing challenges and opportunities related to trade, crop management, and market access. Growers are bracing for potential negative impacts from tariffs, while also seeking ways to improve water use efficiency and address crop protection needs.

Gorgeous plants everywhere you look at the Solomon greenhouse.

Radishes

under lights.

Quality

Solomon

Photos

Joan Airey

Leveraging Our Trade Agreements Encourages Trade Diversification and Ag Growth

By Harry Siemens

Lisa Ashton, part of Royal Bank of Canada’s (RBC) thought leadership team, addressed Manitoba Pork with a call to action for Canada’s agri-food sector: grow smarter, trade broader, and build on farmers’ strengths.

Ashton shared highlights from RBC’s latest report, “Food First”, which focuses on trade growth and diversification.

“Farmers inform our work. Agriculture is a priority for the bank, as shown by what we do in thought leadership,” she said.

Over the past year, Ashton and her team have connected with farmers across Canada.

“Last summer, we hosted a roundtable at the University of Manitoba focused on infrastructure development, including anaerobic digesters,” she said. “We try to be authentic and engaged with the industry.”

Ashton explained that RBC, Canada’s largest bank, is responsible for leading national conversations on policy, economics, and the future of key sectors like agriculture.

“Thought leadership means we dig into macro research and act on it. We’re not just a ‘think tank’—we’re a ‘do tank’,” she said. “We run alliances and projects at all levels to move ideas into action.”

Trade has become a central theme. Ashton highlighted Canada’s close ties with the U.S.

“About 60% of our exports go to the U.S., and we make up about 20% of their agrifood imports,” she said. “We have a very integrated value chain. But with trade tensions rising, this dependence makes us vulnerable.”

She pointed to recent U.S. tariff moves.

“Trump’s approach is aggressive and unpredictable. It’s testing elasticity in trade relationships,” she said. “Although some tariffs are on hold, the uncertainty remains, and pork producers feel it firsthand.”

Ashton noted that only 37% of Canadian exports 2024 moved under USMCA.

“Some exporters avoid the extra paperwork. But under trade pressure, we need to use every tool we have,” she said.

Canada also faces challenges with China.

“Fall 2024 saw PE tariffs on China. In March, we saw shocks in Ag products— meat, peas, and oilseeds. It’s only about 0.7% of Manitoba exports, but its $2.9 billion nationally,” Ashton said. “In 2019, similar Chinese restrictions caused $20 billion in losses.”

She warned that Canada’s global market share is slipping.

“We were fifth in agrifood export value in the early 2000s. Now we’re seventh. If we stay on the current path, we’ll drop to ninth by 2035,” she said.

Ashton said Canada’s exports have grown fourfold over the past twenty years, but the global market has grown fivefold.

“We’re not keeping pace. Our competitors like Brazil and Argentina are modernizing and adopting innovations we took on decades ago,” she said.

Still, Ashton sees hope. Canada can add $44 billion in export value by 2035. That’s a 30% increase.

“We could grow our share from 3.7% to 4.8% of global exports,” she said.

To get there, she outlined a three-part strategy: grow

said. “We run alliances and projects at all levels to move ideas into action.”

in markets where Canada already has trade access, aggressively pursue emerging markets, and use food as a tool for diplomacy.

“We have 15 free trade agreements. That gives us access to two-thirds of the global economy. We need to make better use of them,” Ashton said. “Southeast Asia shows the highest GDP growth, and as incomes rise, demand for meat and vegetables follows.”

Ashton noted, “The U.S., Japan, South Korea, and China are running food deficits in food diplomacy. Food can be one of our most strategic tools in trade talks.”

Domestically, Ashton stressed infrastructure investment.

“We need better 5G coverage in rural areas. In Manitoba and Saskatchewan, it’s below 50%. If all farmers had 5G access, we could add $2.7 to $3.5 billion to Canada’s GDP,” she said.

She also highlighted port inefficiencies.

“We don’t load grain in the rain. That delays exports. If we doubled our transportation spending, we’d match the U.K. and Australia,” she said. “There are also smaller fixes like inland container facilities.”

Manitoba stands out in agrifood exports.

“The province exported $10.4 billion in 2024. That’s impressive. And 70% of our exports to the U.S. are valueadded products,” Ashton said. “We’re not just raw commodity exporters anymore.”

She concluded with a challenge: “Under a business-asusual scenario, we’ll fall behind. But if we lean into our strengths, we can rise again— to fifth place globally. Let’s do the work.”

To get there, she outlined a three-part strategy: grow in markets where Canada already has trade access, aggressively pursue emerging markets, and use food as a tool for diplomacy.

“Thought leadership means we dig into macro research and act on it. We’re not just a think tank— we’re a do tank,” she

Photos by Harry Siemens

Tara Reimer Shares Her Love of Horses with Young People

By Joan Airey

When I first met Tara Reimer, she was teaching my granddaughters how to vault. One granddaughter is now grown and has horses of her own. I’m sure Reimer’s encouragement gave her the confidence to buy her own horse and pursue her dreams. Recently Reimer was at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair again in 2025, accompanied by two of her students from her Cloud 9 Ranch at Steinbach, MB.

“Jaz Barkman showed Draft horse in the youth events and Nyla Omar was on Bessie in costume class. She was Mauna and I was Maui,” said Reimer. “My cart horse this year was nine-year-old Clydesdale mare ‘Hatfield Royal Secret’ and this was her first show. I was very pleased with her 2nd place in Open Cart and 3rd in Ladies cart. Plans are to show her at Clydesdale World Show in riding and cart classes in Illinois in October. She is for sale. This summer I am really excited to show my first personally owned team of Belgians. Abby is four and Paris is two.”

At Cloud 9 Ranch they teach people and horses to be confident in their skills in riding, driving, vaulting or ground work. They also work with many clients in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy which is mental health therapy using the horses.

Tara Reimer with Nyla Omar riding Bessie in the Costume class at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair

Tara Reimer showing nine-year-old Clydesdale mare ‘Hatfield Royal Secret’ in the cart class.

Photos by Joan Airey

Managing Risk and Building Resilience: Canola Growers Navigate Challenges

By Harry Siemens

Canadian canola farmers face a complex 2025 planting season shaped by trade uncertainty with China, rising input costs, and changing global demand.

Rick White, President and CEO of the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA), says that despite the challenges, support tools like the Advance Payments Program (APP) are helping farmers manage short-term cash flow and prepare for the unknowns ahead.

“We just launched our new 2025 program, and the uptake has been very strong,” White said. “Advances and the dollars advanced are up 15 to 20 percent. We’ll have to wait and see whether that pace continues, but it reflects farmer demand for flexible and affordable credit.”

The APP, administered by the CCGA on behalf of the federal government, provides interest-free and low-interest cash advances based on anticipated crop production.

“Farmers repay the advance as they deliver grain,” White explained. “The system is efficient, and this year, we’re getting the funds into farmers’ hands faster thanks to streamlined processes and more experienced staff.”

That cash flow is significant as farmers gear up for planting amid high input prices and market volatility. However, while financial tools help manage day-to-day operations, broader trade issues continue to shadow the canola sector.

“There are two major developments with China,” White noted. “The first is the anti-dumping investigation

We’ve submitted all relevant data, but the process is still ongoing.”

So far, there have been no tariffs on canola seed exports. But China has imposed a 100% tariff on Canadian canola oil and meal as retaliation, White says, for Canadian tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminium.

While seed remains the main product shipped to China, White warns that if anti-dumping duties are applied, it could significantly reduce canola prices and hurt farm incomes across Western Canada.

“We’re preparing for that scenario by urging the federal government to be ready with compensation if Canadian growers suffer economic losses through no fault of their own,” he said. “We’ve learned from what happened to Australian barley in 2020, where tariffs stayed in place for three years. We don’t want to be caught flat-footed.”

To reduce dependence on any single market, CCGA encourages the federal government to expand domestic demand for canola through biofuel policies.

“Canada must build a robust renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel sector. Other countries are doing it, and we’re lagging behind,” said White. “If we can grow our domestic biofuel market, we could create demand for 2 to 3 million tonnes of canola annually. It’s not a full replacement for China or the U.S., but it’s crucial to spreading our risk.”

White also believes Canada needs to return to the negotiating table with China.

“We’ve advised the government to use the EV tariffs as leverage to resolve this dispute. We can’t afford to get caught in a trade war between major global economies,” he

that despite the challenges, support tools like the Advance Payments Program (APP) are helping farmers manage short-term cash flow and prepare for the unknowns ahead.

said.

When asked whether this trade uncertainty affects 2025 planting decisions, White says most farmers will likely stick to their planned rotations, at least for now.

“We’re not seeing significant shifts in acres at this point. But farmers are watching closely and making lastminute decisions,” he said. “If tariffs on seed come down quickly, that could change the equation fast.”

In the meantime, White emphasizes the role that the CCGA and programs like APP play in helping farmers stay resilient.

“We’re doing our best to get farmers the support they need,” he said. “And we’re also pushing for longer-term solutions to ensure Canadian canola remains competitive and sustainable in an unpredictable global market.”

White said, “With planting just around the corner, the message to farmers is clear: manage what you can; plan for what you can’t, and use every tool available.”

The CCGA remains on the front lines, advocating for policies that protect producers today while building a more resilient Ag sector for tomorrow.

Producer Profile: Aurora Microgreens

By Tatiana Frederickson

In 2018, our family moved to the high arctic, to the town of Aklavik, where we lived and worked for six years. While there, we longed for fresh produce and the vitamins it contains. In an effort to improve our health, we started growing microgreens for our family and sharing the refreshing, crispy greens with our friends. Soon, we started to receive orders for them.

Our family has always been passionate about gardening, so once we moved back to Manitoba we decided to expand our business and offer this incredible food to our fellow Manitobans.

The name of our company, Aurora Microgreens Corp., reflects our life in the North, the beautiful northern lights and our deep connection to the northern culture, which we’d like to share with our customers.

We value organic prac-

tices and use strictly organic seeds to grow our microgreens. We also use soil, rather than hydroponics, in our production, which we believe is the healthiest way to build our immune system.

We believe that food is the best medicine, and our super crops can benefit our customers in many different ways. They contain up to 40 times more nutrients than their fully grown counterpart. Crops, such as broccoli, radish, kale and cabbage contain sulforaphane which has incredible health benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and has been linked to reducing the risk of certain cancers.

Looking into the future we hope to make a variety of microgreens available to Manitobans at an affordable price. Currently we offer regular subscriptions at a reduced price. We are also looking into partnerships with community organizations and schools and local businesses to deliver educational content through workshops on the health benefits of micro-

greens, how to use them and how to grow them at home. You can view our products on our website auroramicrogreens.ca or reach us by email at tatiana@auroramicrogreens.ca.

Brought to you by the Stuartburn Emerson-Franklin Local Food Initiative, localfoodinitiative.ca.

Micronutrient vegetable products contain up to 40 times more nutrients than their fully grown counterpart.

Submitted photos

So far, there have been no tariffs on canola seed exports said Rick White, President and CEO of the Canadian Canola Growers Association.

Rick White, President and CEO of the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA), says

Submitted photos

Cereals Canada Building Plan Raises Questions from Wheat Growers

“It’s

three-quarters for just two days—and that was it. Virtually no runoff. I’m not complaining, just making an observation,” said Gunter Jochum, president of the Wheat Growers Association and a grain farmer west of Winnipeg.

By Harry Siemens

Cereals Canada is actively pursuing funding for a new $100 million facility in downtown Winnipeg. The proposal calls for equal financial contributions from the federal government, the Manitoba government, and industry stakeholders. But not everyone in the Ag sector is on board—especially Gunter Jochum, president of the Wheat Growers Association and a grain farmer west of Winnipeg.

Jochum clarified, “We’re not 100% in support of this building, and there are several reasons for that.”

While Cereals Canada maintains it has a business case in place, Jochum says neither he nor his organization has seen detailed figures.

“They’ve said they’ve done the budget and can make a business case for it. But we’ve never seen those numbers—we’ve asked for them, and they said that’s for internal use only. Whatever that means,” said Jochum.

According to Cereals Canada, the facility would be a central hub for advancing Canadian grain in global markets. However, Jochum questions the value proposition, especially for farmers.

“They say it’s for all grains, but the oat growers don’t use Cereals Canada. I don’t know how involved canola is. And is it wise to spend $100 million, at a minimum, on wheat testing and marketing?” questions Jochum. “Most grain companies like Cargill, Richardson, and Patterson already have labs. They do their testing in-house.”

Jochum also pointed to the lack of exploration into more affordable alternatives.

“Have they looked around Winnipeg at existing spaces? Empty warehouses? There’s a 12 to 15% retail vacancy rate. There must be more cost-effective ways to go about this,” he noted.

He reflects on when the organization was still the Canadian International Grains Institute, questioning whether this new direction benefits producers.

“It’s almost like we’re back in the Wheat Board days,” he said. “I grow a crop, deliver it, meet the contract specs, and get paid. That’s the end. I don’t need to foot the bill for what the grain companies decide to do with it after that.”

He raises further concerns about the long-term costs.

“They say its $100 mil-

lion, but that’s if there are no cost overruns. If there are, who covers that? When they say ‘industry,’ do they mean grain companies, farmers, or both? If it needs more money to operate five or ten years down the line, does that come out of farmers’ pockets?”

Jochum would rather see investments in variety development, especially with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada reducing support in that area.

“Some of that money would be much better spent on cereal variety research,” said Jochum. “The environment for private investment in cereals right now isn’t great. So why not help where the need is?”

He says the logic of farmers financing something with so little direct benefit doesn’t sit well.

“I sell oats to Richardson, Cargill, you name it. Much goes to General Mills or gets milled in Portage or Elie,” said Jochum. “Once I’ve delivered and received payment, what they do with it is their business. It should be the same for wheat. They know how to process and market better than I do. Why do they need my financial input?”

Jochum says he hasn’t received clear answers to these questions.

“We’re just asking many valid questions and not getting straight answers. In the farm world, you’ll be hardpressed to find most farmers

jumping for joy about having to help fund a building in downtown Winnipeg.”

Jochum switched gears and shared a more hopeful note about the upcoming planting season. “My attitude is very positive. I’m looking at our field right now—there’s no water lying on it. Normally, we’re fighting too much moisture. Right now, it looks like we’ve got just the right amount. I don’t want any more precipitation until we get the crop in. I’d rather plant into some dryness and then get timely rains afterward.”

The issue concerns transparency and tangible value for Jochum and many of his peers. Without both, the Wheat Growers remain sceptical of investing in what they see as a vague and potentially unnecessary project.

CN Update on March Grain Movement

CN announced recently it moved more than 2.85 million metric tonnes of grain from Western Canada and 2.98 million metric tonnes nationally, establishing new monthly records. This performance is a direct result of close collaboration with customers to recover from the extreme cold weather experienced in Western Canada in January and February, which required safety-related train length restrictions.

“Our team remains focused on delivering for Canadian farmers and our grain industry customers. We can only achieve record grain movements with close collaboration across all parts of the supply chain,” said Remi

G. Lalonde, Executive VicePresident and Chief Commercial Officer at CN.

Train length restrictions are necessary during periods of extreme cold to ensure operational safety and adherence to Transport Canada regulations. When temperatures fall below -25°C, train length must be reduced. Shorter trains mean more people and equipment are required to move to the same amount of goods.

Train length restrictions were applied for an unprecedented number of consecutive days for much of January and the first three weeks of February, as Western Canada faced unrelenting extreme cold weather.

As the weather has improved, CN’s traffic volumes have returned to normal and the Company continues to work around the clock to meet customer needs. Under optimal conditions, the grain supply chain can support up to 7,800 cars per week (744,000 metric tonnes) outside of winter and up to 6,250 cars per week (595,000 metric tonnes) during winter. Being able to achieve these capacity levels depends on several critical factors, including balanced corridor flows, continuous operations at grain and export facilities, and the absence of major disruptions such as extreme weather, labour issues, or trade instability.

April 15, and I never thought it would be this dry at this time of year. The Assiniboine never reached full flow here. The main drain by my yard filled to

While Cereals Canada maintains it has a business case in place for a new $100 million facility in downtown Winnipeg, Gunter Jochum, president of the Wheat Growers Association and a grain farmer west of Winnipeg says neither he nor his organization has seen detailed figures.

Submitted photos

Conservation Award Coming for Dustyridge Family Farms

By Elmer Heinrichs

A family farm near Osterwick in the RM of Stanley is being recognized for its outstanding commitment to being good stewards of their land. Darrell and Cheryl Harder of Dustyridge Family Farms were named conservation award recipients at the recent annual meeting of the Pembina Valley Watershed District.

“It’s very humbling actually because there’s a lot of people doing a lot of good things to preserve what nature is supposed to be and to enhance the soil health,” said Cheryl Harder. “It’s really encouraging ... there’s a lot of people who are very mindful of the importance of it.”

Dustyridge Family Farms was started in 1946 by her grandparents as a small mixed farm consisting of a handful of milking cows, pigs and a few laying hens, but it developed into a registered dairy of 80 cows, a feeder barn for pigs and a layer barn for 12,000 hens when the next generation took over.

Darrell and Cheryl embraced the life as well when they married in 1996 and came on board as full-time farmers.

Today, the day-to-day farm operation consists of the two of them along with their three daughters and extended family. As time went on and life changed, Dustyridge Family Farms shifted its focus to managing and improving soil health with rotational grazing for cattle and sheep, selling natural beef, pork and lamb and incorporating cover crops as well as providing equine assisted learning programs and opening up the farm to schools, groups, individuals and organizations.

Dustyridge is in the early stages of regenerative agricultural practices. This includes promoting and protecting natural waterways, wetlands and slough areas, providing and maintaining areas for different species of birds to live and looking to people for mentorship and expertise in these areas.

For managing and improving soil health, manure from the cow-calf operation, the sheep flock and the horses is stockpiled, and once it is composted, it is spread on the land where it is most needed. Incorporating cover crops on marginal land has been proven beneficial for building better soil. Bale grazing for the horses in pasture is used to combat the areas with high acidity.

Along with working toward creating healthier soil, Dustyridge Family Farms offers natural meat products to be purchased off the farm. This includes beef, pork and lamb which are all raised on the farm in natural environments.

“It sure has diversified a lot,” said Harder, emphasizing the need, “To appreciate what God has given us and to be able to share it with people. Many years ago, we wanted to share what we had on the farm with people who didn’t have the opportunity. There’s a lot of people who used to have some connection to a farm,” she continued.

About six years ago, they further diversified and started Dustyridge Equine Centre, with as focus on equine assisted learning and programs that are designed for group need and also individual needs. The facilitators involved with the program are certified in several different areas, and they see the equine assisted learning programs as fitting in well with the idea opening up the farm for people to come and not only enjoy all that nature has to offer but also to learn from agriculture.

“The horses have really opened a door for that as well ... and we love what the horses can teach people,” said Harder. “It’s an immediate reaction ... and we’re always really excited to see what the horses can do for people.”

“There’s been so many examples where you’re just completely humbled and the animals just really take over and just really help,” she continued.

“People come for many different reasons. Some come to build self confidence, some to develop empathy – a lot of team player aspects also play into it – the self-awareness is huge,” said Harder. “We all have tools within ourselves to navigate life, but how do we use them.”

Looking ahead, they see many opportunities they can pursue to do their part in maintaining natural waterways and encouraging people to come out and see firs hand the importance of taking that one small step in the grand scheme of preservation. Future plans include planting more trees and encouraging green space for people to enjoy.

AAFC Report Says More Field Crop Acres, Drought Fears Linger

By Elmer Heinrichs

For 2025-2026, the area seeded to field crops in Canada is projected to increase marginally year-over-year, says Agri-Food Canada in its April outlook report.

With spring emerging across the country, farmers are beginning their preparations for seeding. Assuming normal growing conditions and trend yields, overall production is anticipated to decrease slightly.

Currently, the most significant cli-

mate-related risk to realizing trend yields is dry conditions remaining across parts of Western Canada. According to the latest Canadian drought monitor update as of March 31, 32 per cent of Prairie agricultural lands were experiencing abnormal dryness or drought conditions as of the end of March 2025, up from 23 per cent in February and 26 per cent in January.

Additionally, the March update reported that 34 per cent of agricultural

lands in the central region (Ontario and Quebec) were experiencing abnormal dryness or drought conditions. Carry-out stocks for all principal field crops are projected to rise year-over-year, as carry-out for total grains and oilseeds and pulse and special crops increase, largely due to a decline in exports for both categories. Prices for most field crops are expected to decline year-over-year, except for wheat, canola, flax seed, and dry beans.

Strong Prices and Strong Interest at the Manitoba Bull Test Station’s Annual Sale

By Harry Siemens

Highlights included an Angus bull that sold for $13,000, a Maine-Anjou bull at $14,000, and two Simmental bulls that each brought in $19,500.

“The good bulls sold very well,” Wood added, noting strong demand for top genetics across breeds. Wood pointed to the strength of the cattle market as a key driver.

This year’s sale attracted buyers from across Canada and into the U.S.

“We sold bulls coast to coast,” said Wood. “A Shorthorn bull is going to B.C., a Simmental to P.E.I., and we’ve got a bull and a couple of heifers headed to the U.S.”

While most bulls stayed in Manitoba, buyers came from Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.

“With the exchange rate and no tariff concerns, we’d have seen more U.S. interest.”

Wood said the station has adapted to a changing world, but its approach hasn’t changed.

“We’re doing the same thing we’ve always done,” he said. “But I think more producers are seeing the value of our offer.”

Test Station Sale Averages (CAD) included: Yearling Bulls: 26 Simmental – $7,596; 2 Simmental (2-yrolds) – $6,750; 4 Maine-Anjou – $7,500; 12 Shorthorn – $6,916; 10 Limousin –

both purebred and commercial producers. Open to visitors year-round, the station offers facility tours, access to staff, and, during test season, detailed performance data and quality livestock on site.

Cam Wood, the station’s general manager, said this year’s sale was even better than last year’s.

“The sale went very well,” Wood said. “We averaged over $1,000 more than last year, and the high end of the sale was significantly better. Last year, we had only one bull break the $10,000 mark. This year, we had thirteen.”

“The cattle market is just so much higher,” he said. “Cow-calf producers in Manitoba have more money than they’ve had in quite some time. Whether they sold their calves last October or just last week, many have never received prices this strong.”

With more money in their pockets, producers didn’t hesitate to invest in better bulls.

“When producers have money, they spend it on improving their herds,” he said. “They see the value in quality bulls and are willing to pay for animals that can move their programs forward.”

“We did cover quite a few provinces this year,” Wood said.

Wood noted that tariff uncertainty may have held back some U.S. buyers despite the strong results.

“I talked to a few guys from the States, and they’re just as much in the dark about the tariffs as we are,” he said. “With testing requirements, bulls weren’t heading south this week. Nobody wants to do the paperwork and move cattle only to face a 25% tariff at the border.”

He believes more American buyers would have made the trip without that threat.

Opposition Introduces Bill 228 to Cut Red Tape for Farmers

A PC MLA has introduced Bill 228, The Retail Sales Tax Amendment Act, to cut red tape and paperwork for Manitoba’s farmers and agricultural retailers.

“This bill is about making life easier for farmers and small businesses,” said Morden-Winkler MLA Carrie Hiebert. “The current system is outdated, burdensome, and inefficient. Bill 228 streamlines the process and cuts the red tape holding back our producers and Ag retailers.”

Bill 228 allows farmers to register for a new farm identification number, similar to a GST number, that can be used to claim tax exemptions on qualifying purchases without having to sign a declaration form every time. Under the current rules, a “wet” or digital signature is required for each purchase, even in remote areas where access to service can be limited.

The proposed changes would allow a farmer to provide their ID number to suppliers instead of signing repetitive declarations, eliminating the paperwork burden for both. Accordingly, a declaration would only have to be signed once every two years instead of for every purchase.

With the uncertainty in the agriculture sector growing due to tariff threats from the U.S. and China, Bill 228 is a practical step to support the farmers and Ag businesses that feed our province and the world, Hiebert noted.

“Farmers and retailers asked for this change, and we listened,” said Hiebert. “During harvest, farmers are working long hours and shouldn’t be worried about signing paperwork for every purchase. This bill brings common sense to our tax system.”

Interest in the station is growing.

“I’ve talked to more people this year than ever. Some are looking to bring bulls next year, others are just curious about the sale,” Wood said. “The momentum is building.”

He said stronger calf prices are helping drive interest in quality bulls.

“When steer calves are bringing $3,000, guys are starting to understand what a good bull can do,” he said. “Adding 50 pounds to a calf could mean $200 more per head. It doesn’t take long to justify the cost of a better bull.”

Looking ahead, Wood said they’ll make minor adjustments but stick to what works.

“We’ll tweak a few things. We changed the feed this past season and saw a difference in the bulls,” he said. “We’re always fine-tuning, but we’ll stay the course.”

Wood hopes this year’s results will bring even more quality bulls to the station.

“When producers see the effort pays off, it sparks more interest,” he said. “We just want to keep building from here.”

In 2024 the Manitoba Bull

$1,125; 1 Limousin (2-yr-old) – $6,250; 23 Angus – $8,641 and 3 Speckle Park – $5,333. Heifers: 3 Simmental –$4,833; 7 Shorthorn – $4,878; 5 Angus and Commercial Blue – $5,958.

Cattle in pen at the Manitoba Bull Test Station at Douglas, MB.

Photos supplied by Tracey Wood, Manitoba Bull Test Station

Anthony Wilcox of Wilcox Livestock was Winner Pick of the Peers Speckle Park. Presented by MBCPA President Jeremy Pilkey.

Shaun Bryce, Prime Angus Ranch - pick of the Peers Angus Bull.

Randy Bruce - Tobacco Creek Cattle Co. - Highest Indexing Angus Bull and Overall Highest Indexing Bull. Presented by Douglas Bull & Female Centre Manager Cam Wood

Adding Value to Their Crop: Turning Wheat into Nutritional Flour

By Brenda Hunter

Like other agricultural producers, Chris and Lindsay Raupers, a regenerative farm family from Newdale, MB, were going through the motions of producing a wheat crop each year to sustain their livelihood, but felt they were missing something. Why go to the effort of producing a more nutritionally-superior food product only to have all that extra goodness stripped away by commercial milling once it left their farm? They knew there had to be a better way.

Chris had grown up in Germany where direct marketing through on-farm shops was a normal practice and thought the concept could work here in Manitoba as well.

“I was growing a more nutritionally-dense wheat crop, but letting it go through the commercial channels to be made into flour,” he said. “That’s when I thought, ‘why not mill it ourselves and sell the goodness of our product, direct?’”

So, after a lot of research, sweat equity and determination, Engrained Flour Co. was born in 2021 and they started selling their homegrown wheat as flour – about as true a field to table product as you can get.

Even though they are approaching four years in business, they still consider themselves to be in the start up phase. They admit it has been a learning process along with some trial and error. But they have never strayed from their purpose of producing and marketing a superior, nutrient-dense, local product that they stand behind 100 per cent all while improving the soil health. They believe that healthy soil produces healthy plants, which parallels human health; what you put into your body, good or bad, ultimately affects a person’s overall wellbeing. While the crop is in the ground, they work to achieve this by planting companion crops

alongside their Hard Red Spring and Red Fife wheat and implement a diverse crop rotation, monitor the plant during all stages of growth, and feed appropriately for what the plant actually needs. This, in turn, strengthens the plant enabling it to fend of disease and pests naturally. They do not use fungicides or desiccants. They also integrate livestock into their regenerative practices.

Once the grain is harvested and in the bin, the milling phase begins, utilizing the entire wheat kernel – the bran, the endosperm and the germ.

“We use a stone mill which mills grain at a lower temperature, allowing for maximum nutrient retention in the flour,” explained Raupers.

“So, we grow the grain, store it on farm, clean it, mill it, package and market it – it doesn’t get any simpler than that. The feedback has been great; people are happy to see a truly local product and they like to put their money towards a less processed, nutrient-dense flour.”

They find it very rewarding to hear positive feedback from their customers and also appreciate the control they now have in marketing the end product.

“From seed selection to designing packaging labels, the process is gratifying and adds to an otherwise disconnected commercial growing world where it is just about growing as many bushels as possible,” said Raupers about the inspiration and motivation behind their endeavour.

The Raupers explain that the biggest difference be-

tween their flour and the commercially-produced flour you would find at the grocery store is nutritional quality and shelf life.

“The flours that you find on the shelves of grocery stores are basically developed specifically to have the longest shelf life possible. We all know what is sacrificed when you put shelf life as your top priority – nutrition,” said Chris. “Traditional white flour is very processed and often bleached. Even whole wheat flour that you buy at the store first has the most nutritious part of the wheat kernel (the germ) removed prior to milling. Our flours always start out from the entire wheat kernel.”

He reports that their best seller is their Hard Red Spring wheat flour which is the most popular wheat variety grown on the prairies and is best-suited for bread making. They also grow Red Fife wheat which is a heritage variety with a unique flavour, is slightly lower in gluten and can be easier to digest. It is a great choice for pastries and non-yeast baked goods. Rye has recently joined the lineup and will be available in retail stores soon.

Their flours are available to be purchased on-line at engrainedflour.ca and at some local locations across Manitoba. They also sell in bulk to a few local bakeries who help them promote their product by using it in some of their tasty treats.

“Establishing good working relationships with great bakeries is important,” he said. “I will grow it, they bake it.”

After a lot of research, sweat equity and determination, Engrained Flour Co. was born in 2021 and they started selling their home-grown wheat as flour – about as true a field to table product as you can get. Submitted photo

Good Dry Matter Intake in Lactating Dairy Cows Takes 5-minutes

As a dairy nutritionist, I am so convinced each bite of lactation diet counts that each time I walk into a dairy barn; I conduct a 5-minute routine.

First, I walk along the bunk and look at the cows, which are eating as well as look over to the cows lying in their stalls. I also pick up a hand-

Submitted photo Peter Vitti

ful of lactation diet and pick through it.

In these short five minutes, these observations give me a ball-park idea as to how much lactating diet is being eaten on “as fed” and “dry matter intake” basis. When the dairy producer walks with me, I often fine-tune these observations by asking specific questions about the cows or something about the diet. By getting a handle on the dry matter intake of the lactation barn, I am really getting an idea of amount of dietary energy intake that drives milk production which in most cases is almost a perfect correlation.

With the advent of more robot-based milking systems, I see the dry matter intakes of lactating dairy cows have dramatically increased and milk production follows along. For example, I can design a PMR (partial mixed diet) to be fed in the bunk at 50 kg on an “as fed” basis (25 kg, dmi) and another 5 kg of robot pellets fed at the milking stations. As a result, the dairy cows are cleaning up about 30 kg of actual feed - on a dry matter

basis to produce 40 – 45 kg of milk per day. Such intake and performance were really unheard of ten years ago in the traditional parlour milking systems.

Whether lactating cows are milked in a parlour or robotbarn – high quality forages have always promoted their high dry matter intakes. Its science is simple - more kilos of a well-balanced lactation diet tend to pass through the cows’ rumen, because its fibre portion tends to be more efficiently digested by the resident rumen microbes, which also speeds up its rate of passage throughout the whole digestive tract. Naturally, there are many chemical restraints in the rumen that kick in along the way, that also helps maintain such good rumen function.

Based upon these broadbased nutritional principles, here is a set of dairy barn suggestions that in my experience help achieves optimum feed intake among lactating dairy cows:

- Set up a close-up dry cow feeding program - Close-up dry cows (three weeks be-

fore calving), which consume about 12 kg of dry feed, daily have been shown to have greater DMI as early lactating cows and less post-partum metabolic problems.

- Promote good rumen fermentation - Typical rations for lactating dairy cows should be formulated to contain 19 to 21% ADF, 28 to 32% NDF (with 75% coming from effective forage fibre) and limitations placed of 35 to 42% placed on non-structural carbohydrates.

- Know DMI and ‘As Fed’ Intake – A weekly schedule of DMI and ‘As fed’ intake of the lactation herd as well as the moisture content of the diet should be recorded.

A friend of mine milks 350 dairy cows; measures their DMI and ‘As fed’ intake every few weeks and dietary moisture levels about once per week. In doing so, he has significantly decreased the incidence of ketosis in his fresh cow group.

- Formulate “healthy rumen diets” – Feed a portion of the grain that has slower rates of starch digestion such as grain corn to prevent acidosis.

Avoid feeding too much bypass palm fats. Make sure to limit feed unpalatable feed ingredients. Last, check forages and grains for visible mould and other contaminants.

- Use a Direct Fed Microbial (DFM) – I often formulate a DFM into lactation diets. It contains bacteria, grain and forage enzymes and yeasts, which have been shown to improve feed digestibility and prevent sub-acidosis rumen acidosis. Fed at 10 g per head per day it costs about 25c per head per day.

Most of these suggestions take time to implement, but sometimes it only takes five minutes of common sense to promote dry matter intake in lactating dairy cows. At one farm that I visited recently, the bunk ration seemed to be very dry. All it took was a adding a hundred litres of water added to the PMR that helps increase its consumption and subsequent milk production, just a little “bite”.

Have You Checked Out a Free Website: Canadian Cool Foods?

By Joan Airey

While trying to shop Canadian I read with interest an article about Marnie Scott and her website Canadiancoolfoods.com. Determined to learn more about Canadian Cool Foods, I emailed Marnie and now we have been visiting on the phone.

“As a former Federal and Provincial Government economist and policy analyst dedicated to economic development across Canada, I learned at a young age, that Provincial politics, global events, climate change, corporate profit motives, trade tariffs, predictable international politics, and even our own Inter-provincial trade barriers can impact negatively on food production, sales, exports and imports,” said Scott. “This occurs in every sector I worked in and why I spent my entire career trying to bring us together as Canadians so that we may all benefit.”

Scott said these ideas are therefore not new trying to bring us together as Canadians so that we may all benefit.

“These are therefore not new issues and is why I started this site in the first place almost nine years ago!” she said about Canadiancoolfoods.com. “I decided to fill the void and create a Canada wide and independent platform to inform and promote Canadians to Canadians.”

Scott noted that with recent tariff impacts and trade disputes the free website is even more helpful when searching out “Products of Canada”.

“Now, given the current and real threats from outside our borders-we are finally looking at how to work together to reduce these risks by improving Canadian supply and security across Canada,” said Scott. “We want to bring the consumer’s attention to Canadian products is another wonderful initiative.”

Making it Canadian is rampant with stylized maple leaves on everything. But Scott’s Canadian Cool Foods is different for just this reason – it is only “Product of Canada”…period.

“Sometimes after reading the information on a package,

I’m not sure if the company is Canadian or not or if the product is,” she emphasized.

Canadiancoolfoods.com currently features 440 companies and their 4,850 “Products of Canada” from across Canada.

Scott says by sharing this site we will be taking an easy yet effective proactive action to spread the positive and informative message to Canadians of how diverse and available “Product of Canada” foods, beverages, ingredients, garden seeds and a multitude of Canadian Agri-Food related services and experiences available across our country.

“My ancestors came to Canada from Ireland and Scotland in the 1800’s. Eventually they were able to make a living as grain farmers, cattlemen, horsemen and dairy farmers and have become community leaders, businessmen and volunteers. These people and stories are all but forgotten now but I have and continue to encourage the companies on my site to share their Canadian old country family histories with the site visitors

and many have submitted an INSIGHT. There are over eighty family related stories.” said Scott.

“My Dad’s side of the family eventually moved from Montreal and Ontario to Roland, Manitoba. It is the Home of 4-H Canada where I understand that my Grandmother Emily was a dedicated volunteer in the early 1900’s when it was just starting out in Canada,” said Scott. “A few years back at the Carmen Farmer’s Market, I bought a carrot cake made by a lovely lady who I found out was using my Grandma’s recipe.”

“Grandpa was a grain and cattle farmer who also raised horses for his friends the Eaton’s (yes, those Eaton’s-also from Northern Ireland) to use for their delivery wagons,” Scott said about her own family’s story. “I remember my Dad’s stories of his adventures with his horses King and Queen, the Carmen Fairs, riding his horse to the one-room schoolhouse and teasing his teacher Mr. Fox. His stories are probably similar to many of his generation living on the

Marnie Scott founder of Canadiancoolfoods.com an independent, free information destination highlights all the Canadian made products found in Manitoba stores. Scott has compiled a list of 4,850 food products to date, which are “Products of Canada”. Submitted photo

farm across the country.”

“The history of the area they settled in and many other family stories can be found in Living out the Dream-By Ms. Olive Caldwell Lee,” said Scott.

She said that Canadiancoolfoods.com is a tribute to all Canadians who came to this great country over the centuries and built the communities and Agricultural and Agri-Food sector. It is also for the wonderful people, companies and families represented on the website

now and in the future.

“The more I talk to people, upload their amazing products, services and insights from their companies, their employees and families on the site-the more I realize that what I’m doing is important,” said Scott.

If you’d like to do a free search for a “Product of Canada”, read about food insights, or share the history of companies and families available on the Insight pages visit Marnie Scott’s website Canadiancoolfoods.com.

Dairy cows eating PMR in robot barn. With the advent of more robotbased milking systems, dry matter intakes of lactating dairy cows have dramatically increased and milk production follows along.

Know Your Numbers: Farming through Uncertainty

By Harry Siemens

Darren Bond wears two hats — one as a farm management specialist with Manitoba Agriculture and the other as a producer in Manitoba’s Interlake region. With markets shifting and uncertainty growing, he says farmers face a lot of noise and mixed signals.

“The big thing right now is the uncertainty,” Bond said. “Whether its tariffs, the threat of tariffs, or the back-andforth of them being on and off again, all of it is creating pressure on grain prices.”

Bond believes there have been pricing opportunities recently, but they come and go quickly.

“Markets swing fast with the news cycle. You might have profit one day, and it’s gone the next,” he said. “Then you’re waiting a month or two for prices to bounce back.”

To manage that, Bond has spent the winter helping producers zero in on the cost of production, specifically, the cost per bushel sold.

“If you know your cost per bushel, it’s easier to spot profitability,” he said. “It also helps take stress out of crop planning and marketing.”

Many still decide what to plant, so he says this ap-

proach can guide crop choices and sales.

“There’s already a lot of stress out there. But if we remove one variable — knowing our costs — we can make more confident decisions,” said Bond.

He still sees profit potential, but it’s not as predictable.

“There’s opportunity, but its fewer and farther between. Prices rise like an escalator, but they fall like an elevator,” he said.

That’s why Bond urges producers to act quickly when margins appear.

“The profitability window doesn’t stay open long,” he said. “You’ve got to know your numbers to move when the time is right.”

Costs matter, too, and Bond says they deserve just as much focus.

“We start with projected numbers before buying anything,” he said. “But as inputs like seed, fertilizer, and fuel are purchased, you update those numbers with actual costs.”

Throughout the season, producers should keep refining their production costs.

“Replacing projected numbers with real ones gives a clearer picture,” he said.

Yield also plays a major role.

“Cost per bushel sold is your total cost divided by projected or actual yield,” Bond explained. “After harvest and the numbers are in, you know where you stand.”

Even mid-season, a realistic yield expectation can help fine-tune marketing and ease decision stress.

“When the combines roll and most costs are in, knowing yield and cost gives you your actual cost per bushel. That takes the guesswork out of the process,” he said.

Bond also warns against cutting corners to save on inputs — especially fertilizer.

“You don’t want to fool yourself into thinking you’re saving money only to end up with a smaller crop,” he said.

He notes fertilizer prices have jumped since last fall.

“Nitrogen urea went from $600–$700 per metric ton to around $850–$900,” Bond said. “Phosphate is up, too.”

He cautions against quick cuts to reduce input bills.

“It’s easy to say, ‘I’ll save $30 or $40 an acre on fertilizer’. But that could cost you $80 or $100 per acre in lost yield. That’s not a good trade,” said Bond.

Instead, he urges farmers to focus on inputs that directly impact yield.

“We need grain to sell. A

good crop pulls us through tight times. It helps offset lower prices and higher costs.”

Despite challenges from weather and markets, Bond says producers have shown they can grow strong crops.

“There are always weather challenges,” he said. “But over the last decade, our producers have proven what they’re capable of.”

He knows avoiding the numbers is tempting, especially when things are tight.

“There’s a lot of stress out there,” Bond said. “And it’s easy to ignore the math because it might confirm the tough reality.”

But knowing the numbers is still the best way forward.

“We need to know where we are, our profitability points, and where we can or can’t sell for profit,” he said.

Bond adds that market volatility may also require producers to hold grain longer than expected.

“No one likes facing that kind of uncertainty,” he said. “But looking at the numbers helps reduce stress and protect profit.”

On the risk management side, Bond pointed to recent changes in AgriStability, including an increase in the payment rate from 80% to 90% for 2025.

“No one wants to use these programs — that means things went well,” he said. “But when things go sideways, they can be crucial.”

With so much risk in the outlook, he encourages producers to take a second look at enrolling.

“It might be a good time to sign back up if you’ve opted out,” he said. “Paying to take some risk off the table in a year like this could be a smart move.”

Producers have until the end of April to sign up for 2025 coverage.

Gavloski Kicks Off Crop Talk Season with Insect Insights

By Harry Siemens

Entomologist John Gavloski of Manitoba Agriculture opened the 2025 Crop Talk webinar season in April with an in-depth presentation on insect issues farmers should watch for as the growing season begins. Covering everything from insect identification to new insecticides, Gavloski delivered practical insights for producers, agronomists, and crop advisors across the province.

“Now that we’re into April and it’s warming up, some insects are starting to come out,” said Gavloski. “Pretty soon, we’ll see potential crop pests emerging.”

Focusing first on cutworms, Gavloski described the four main types: subterranean, tunnelers, surface feeders, and climbers. He highlighted dingy cutworm, a climbing type and one of Manitoba’s most common, which over winters as a partially grown larva and becomes active early in the spring.

“They feed by climbing plants and defoliating them, which can be tricky to scout

during the day because the insects hide,” he explained. “If you see feeding damage but no visible insects, dig around. It’s likely dingy cutworm.”

He also discussed redback cutworm, a surface feeder known for clipping plants at ground level, and glassy cutworm, which feeds below ground and is harder to control with insecticides.

“In May and early June, these insects are actively feeding, and it’s the best time to scout,” said Gavloski. “Control becomes less economical once they pupate.”

He noted that insecticide timing is key since cutworms feed at night. “Spraying in the evening gives the best results,” he said.

Regarding insecticide options, Gavloski outlined two main groups: pyrethroids and diamides. Pyrethroids like Matador and Decis offer quick action at lower cost, while diamides such as Coragen and the new generic Shenzi provide longer residual control. Seed treatments like Fortenza and Lumiderm

can also help protect against cutworms early on.

Switching gears, Gavloski warned that flea beetles remain a top threat to canola.

“Your challenge is getting the crop to the three- to four-leaf stage within three to four weeks after seeding,” he said. “After that, seed treatments start to lose effectiveness.”

Gavloski urged farmers to watch for stem feeding and not just leaf damage. He also emphasized the importance of scouting carefully after the seed treatment window ends.

“Weather plays a huge role in how fast plants grow and how long they’re vulnerable,” he said. Regarding resistance, Gavloski reassured producers that Manitoba had seen no confirmed cases of flea beetle resistance to pyrethroids so far.

“We’ve tested populations where growers suspected resistance, but in the lab, the beetles were 100 percent killed by the insecticide,” he said. “It’s more likely that

high numbers just reinvaded sprayed fields.”

He also addressed concerns at Ag Days about leafy spurge flea beetles feeding on canola.

“That’s simply not true,” he said. “Strong research shows these flea beetles only feed on leafy spurge and will starve before touching canola.”

Gavloski then gave a forecast on grasshoppers, noting that populations declined in 2024 due to wet spring conditions, but warned not to let your guard down in 2025.

“Egg-laying conditions last fall were ideal—warm, dry, and with a late frost,” he said. “Even areas that looked low risk on our map might see higher numbers this year. Scout your field edges carefully starting in June.”

He also highlighted the role of natural predators like ground beetles, parasitic wasps, and stiletto fly larvae in controlling pest populations.

Moving into insecticide updates, Gavloski mentioned that lambda-cyhalo-

thrin (Matador, Silencer) can now again be used on crops destined for livestock feed, thanks to lifted label restrictions.

“That was a major concern for canola growers, but they resolved the issue,” he said.

Gavloski also covered soybean aphid resistance, noting that resistance to pyrethroids is likely due to aphids blowing in from over sprayed fields in the U.S. He recommended alternatives like Safina, Movento, and Sivanto Prime when available.

In closing, Gavloski encouraged participation in Manitoba’s insect monitoring programs, including those tracking diamondback moth, Bertha armyworm, cabbage seedpod weevil, pea leaf weevil, and a new one for the Hessian fly.

“Let us know if you’d like to participate,” he said. “Even simple sweep net samples help us track what’s happening across the province.”

The Manitoba Crop Pest Update will return in late May, offering weekly field

“Now that we’re into April and it’s warming up, some insects are starting to come out,” said Gavloski. “Pretty soon, we’ll see potential crop pests emerging.” reports and insect activity snapshots. Producers can also access fact sheets, scouting guides, and the updated Guide to Crop Protection through Manitoba Agriculture.

“We’ve got great tools available,” Gavloski said. “With some preparation and scouting, we can avoid most of these insect issues.”

Darren Bond is a farm management specialist with Manitoba Agriculture and a producer in Manitoba’s Interlake region. With markets shifting and uncertainty growing, he says farmers face a lot of noise and mixed signals.

Photo by Harry Siemens

Photo by Harry Siemens

Rejuvenating Tired Pastures

By John McGregor, MFGA Extension Support

When it comes to unproductive pastures, the cost of a complete do over can be prohibitive or questionable especially when there is still some production present.

For pastures that are still productive but production is limited there maybe some low cost possibilities that can be considered.

One of the first things to consider when making a decision is if you have the right species in the pasture that need rejuvenating. If you don’t have the right species your choices or plans may need to take a different direction.

No matter what option you decide on grazing management needs to be foremost in your plan.

The more you can manage your pastures with animals by returning nutrients from where they came, the more resilient the pasture will be.

Part of this nutrient recycling is the grazing cycle. Knowing when to start, when to stop and the rest periods in between defines a well managed grazing system.

Pastures are composed of perennial plants and the grasses produce tillers as they grow. These tillers are “baby plants” and live for more than one growing year. They start in the fall but in the spring it is important to let them reach at least the 3 leaf stage before beginning to graze. Plants, once they have reached this stage, it’s a good indication that they are accessing nutrients that were used surviving winter and are ready to go.

The tiller buds were formed last fall, and they determine yield potential this spring. When we leave 2 1/2 leaves per tiller on the plant in the fall we are setting the plant up to have good nutrient reserves to survive winter and get an early jump in the spring.

Good, well managed grazing practices can do wonders in making a low producing pasture more productive.

Evenly distributing nutrients across pastures will provide the necessary nutrients to promote and maintain forage growth throughout the growing season.

Not grazing too soon or too late in the spring and fall will allow plants to maintain a healthy root systems and adequate food storage reserves to survive winter and get an early jump on spring.

Finally following a grazing schedule during the growing season that prevents overgrazing and allows plenty of rest between grazes will keep the root system healthy and the pasture productive for years to come.

Seeding

Unproductive pastures that are thin or have the wrong species present may need more than just grazing management to bring them into production.

Other than a complete do over some producers look at sod seeding to improve pastures. This method requires correct timing usually in the spring when the ground is soft to allow equipment penetration. It also enables the new seeds to take advantage of existing moisture.

Depending on the state of the pasture, the addition of a legume may be a good option. Because a legume seed like an alfalfa does not have a hull, it’s able to get growing quicker, fixes, nitrogen, boosts forage quality and adds risk adverseness for a drought due to its deep root system.

Another method uses the cow itself to introduce legumes into a pasture. Mixing legume seed with mineral and allowing the cows to seed via manure can have some success. Legumes can travel thru the cow a lot better than grass seeds. The drawback here is that legumes will only establish where the patties are dropped and will require additional management to enable the plants to spread.

Broadcast seeding and letting the cow work the seed in with their hooves is another method to consider. Early spring likely works best when the soil is a bit moist under stockpiled forage. As the stockpiled forage starts to green up, the cattle graze close to the ground surface. Using a little higher stock density creates more hoof action to press seeds into the soil.

All these methods will have varying amounts of success depending on moisture and time. New seedlings, once established, are competing with the existing plants present in the pasture so there may be a need to reduce this completion until the new plants get a good foothold.

Final thought: Trying to bring a pasture back when it’s overgrazed or has a low degree of productivity is challenging. It won’t happen overnight, and will require a lot of patience.

Canadian Foodgrains Bank Welcomes New Manitoba Rep

By Elmer Heinrichs

The Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFB) is welcoming a new face to their Manitoba team! The recent announcement of Gordon Janzen’s retirement as Manitoba and Northwest Ontario representative with the Foodgrains Bank opened the door for Dale Friesen, the newest member of the Foodgrains Bank to advocate for the hungry around the world.

Dale Friesen grew up on a mixed farming operation just west of Altona. However, the call to ministry prompted Friesen into the seminary, and now after 17 years as pastor he has stepped into this new role as CFB representative for Manitoba and N.W. Ontario.

‘The idea of combining the farming background and the faith background worked really well for me to fit into the Canadian Foodgrains Bank,” shares Friesen. “When the job came up, I thought this would be a perfect fit, and here I am!”

“I find it very exciting,” he continues. “To help those in need - to be able to help people get food is such an important thing. We are made in God’s image and all of humanity deserves food. So that’s awesome to be able to help that way, but then also to be able to relate to donors and to farmers, and to local people here in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario, it’s been a lot of fun so far. Yes, it’s been really good!”

“I have a pastoral background and part of my job is church engagement and so I’d love to do some

public speaking engagements in both rural and urban settings,” adds Friesen.

Over the past few weeks Gordon Janzen has been introducing Friesen to the many Foodgrains committees and projects across his region.

“Gordon and I have been taking several mini road trips across the province, meeting with various growing projects where people pool their resources to plant fields and donate the revenue to food banks,” explains Friesen. “We’ve met with them in a wide variety of places, from homes to machine shops to small-town restaurants. What has struck me the most is the dedication and generosity of these people.”

“Some of these projects have been ongoing for 20-30 years, and it’s been fascinating to hear their stories and understand why they became involved,” he adds. “Hearing their stories has been quite overwhelming and humbling.”

“The joy and satisfaction they derive from their contributions are palpable, and it’s clear that these projects are a vital part of their lives. It’s been a privilege to witness their dedication and to understand the profound difference they are making in their communities,” said Friesen.

Friesen has seen how each of these projects across the province brings community together as a whole, whether the participants and volunteers are church-goers or not. These are larger projects that

unite an entire community.

“Even as a former pastor, I found that there were people who I had contact with who had a hard time finding a role to serve in the church, but in this kind of role with the Foodgrains project they had a really easy time,” he explains. “Many of these individuals find it challenging to fit into traditional church settings, but these projects provide a meaningful way for them to contribute to their local communities.”

“It’s been heart warming to see how happy people are to help out at a very tangible level, giving from the best of their own gifts. Their commitment and the impact they make are truly inspiring,” added Friesen.

Dale and his wife Tammy, and their two sons, live in Winnipeg.

More Wheat, Fewer Oilseeds Seen in AAFC Report

By Elmer Heinrichs

Wheat area to rise, oilseeds to decline says Agriculture and AgriFood Canada (AAFC) in its March report.

It’s important to note that the Stats Canada seeding intentions survey was completed prior to the uncertainties related to U.S. tariff actions and the announcement on March 8 by China of 100 per cent tariffs on canola oil, rapeseed (canola) meal, and peas which became effective March 20, 2025. The full impact of these developments on farmers’ planting intentions is not yet known.

Stats Canada will release its estimate of principal field crop area estimates on June 27, 2025, based on data collected in late May and early June. The area seeded to field crops in Canada is expected to increase slightly, up by 0.3 per cent year-over-year.

The area seeded to wheat, including durum, is expected to increase by 2.6 per cent year-over-year, mainly due to increases in spring wheat and winter wheat, while durum area remains nearly unchanged.

Coarse grains area is forecast to grow by 1.4 per cent year-overyear, due to increases in area seeded to corn, oats, and rye, offsetting a small decline in barley area. The area seeded to oilseeds is expected to decrease by 1.9 per cent yearover-year, reflecting lower seeding intentions for canola and soybeans.

Pulse and special crops area is expected to decrease by 2 per cent year-over-year as lower areas for lentils, chickpeas, dry beans, mustard, sunflower seed and canary seed, offset an increase in area for dry pea area. Assuming normal growing conditions and trend yields, overall production is

expected to decrease slightly yearover-year.

AAFC forecasts that prices for the majority of field crops will decline year-over-year, with the exception of wheat, soybeans, flax and dry beans.

For the 2024-2025 crop year, exports of all principal field crops are expected to grow significantly due to strong global demand, with total exports expected to rise by 5 per cent compared to the previous year. Carry-out stocks (ending-year inventories) for all principal field crops are projected to fall by 10 per cent year-over-year, driven primarily by the increase in exports, with a secondary contribution from a reduction in imports.

AAFC forecasts a notable decline in the prices of most major field crops compared to the previous year, except for corn, flax, and sunflower seeds.

Gordon Janzen (left) welcomes Dale Friesen (right) the newest member of the Foodgrains Bank to advocate for the hungry around the world. Submitted photo

Give Special Attention to First-Calved Beef Heifers

By Peter Vitti partum interval.

1st calved beef heifers are bigger animals then they used to be. Better genetics and nutrition are two good reasons. Yet, these brand-new mothers still require special attention after calving, despite some producers may treat them like seasoned mature cows.

I often recommend that a good walk be taken among the main cowherd or segregated groups of 1st-calved heifers (now young cows). Conduct a proper body condition score (BCS) of each young animal, which determines their nutritional status. From there, select the particular feeding program that you want to take them, once heifers are on pasture in order to get them rebred with their second calf.

Good body condition score (BCS) of each young cow on the day of calving is a good starting point that will dictate the success of such upcoming reproductive performance.

That’s because, an optimum body condition score of 5 – 6 on a scale of 0 – 9 is an indication of her current nutritional status, which is the single most important factor that controls: post-partum interval, milk production, oestrus strength, services per conception and ultimately successful rebreeding.

In light of research-proven facts, I recently spent a couple of hours with a herd- manager of a 350 head cow-calf operation. We completed a body assessment of about 60 calvedout replacement heifers. The premise of which was:

- Starting calving date was March 1, 2025.

- 1st calf replacement heifers were bred three weeks ahead of the main cowherd – allowing 20 – 30 days of extra post-

- All heifers were fed an overwintered diet of 15 kg barley silage, 2 kg grass hay, 0.5 kg canola meal and 4 oz. of a well-balanced fortified mineral-vitamin premix. All barley grain was removed a couple weeks, ago.

- Replacement heifers were segregated from the main herd and housed along with cull cows due to a lack of facilities.

- Creep feeders were placed in the pen filled with a 16% texturized oat-corn ration.

- Bulls are released on pasture during mid-May/60-day breeding season.

Most of these calved replacement heifers are wellframed animals that scored the above desired 5 – 6, which I believe was directly responsible for only one or two assisted births from the present calvings. These young mothers’ also nursing well – with 2 – 3-week-old calves that had great vitality. Only two replacement heifers were poor doers (thin body condition - due to other factors), which are soon-to-be culled.

Since, there was a good amount of rainfall in the fall and in combination with early spring snows - the manager expects most pastures to be in good shape by the time the cowherd is released. The plan is that his first-parity cows (nursing a new calf) will be moved onto green pastures broken up only a couple of years, ago. The high quality of these tamed pastures is expected to match their high energy and protein requirements of lactation, support of good body growth, plus retain body condition in order to trigger at least one active oestrus before the breeding season.

In addition, the manager

routinely feeds a loose mineral on pasture to the main cowherd as well as all 1st calved beef heifers. It has been his experience that a well-formulated mineral should be fed at 3 – 4 ounces per day in order to build up mineral/vitamin status of every cow, which promotes active rebreeding and conception.

His personal choice is a “breeder-type” 18% calcium: 9% phosphorus mineral with fortified levels of “chelated” copper, zinc, manganese and selenium as well as higher levels of Vitamins A, D and E. He has never had much problems with grass tetany over the years, so he limits the magnesium to about 3%, which meets those respective requirements.

Given that good pasture nutrition is in place, his only real concern is a bout of footrot that hits the same young cow group (with nursing calves). When it happens about every other year – it starts with one or two cows and spreads to about a third of the other grazers. Luckily, the most visible cases are caught in its early stages and treated with antibiotics.

Never-the-less, it is a matter of providing good nutrition and management to a young set of mothers that really started at the beginning of winter and carried onto the calving season. Now, it means carrying on this special attention from the calving and throughout the breeding season on pasture. As a result of all these efforts - I am looking forward to successful conformation of a second pregnancy, 30days hence.

Why Not Grow Your Salad Makings Year Round?

By Joan Airey

As long as I can remember I wanted to grow things year round and finally over ten years ago I invested in commercial grow lights. Now we enjoy fresh radishes, lettuce and onions almost all year. One summer by trial and error my daughter and I came up with a Taco Salad that pleased family members.

Taco Salad

Meat: Brown a pound of hamburger until well cooked and add taco seasoning. Salad ingredients:

4-6 cups of romaine or Iceberg lettuce

350 g package Mozzarella and Cheddar Cheese

1 large bag of Taco chips (your favourite flavour)

1 cup of Catalina dressing

1 cup of Salsa

Shred lettuce by hand. Mix together in a large bowl all dry ingredients. Mix together salsa and Catalina dressing and stir gently into salad. Make sure the hamburger is well cooked and cooled before adding it to salad.

Tex Mex shredded cheese works great in this salad too. Daughter-in- law Tanya suggested putting the salad dressing on the lettuce before adding the rest of the ingredients; it works well as the rest of the ingredients don’t clump when you assemble it that way.

You can make your own Taco Seasoning Mix

Taco Seasoning Mix

1/4 cup dried minced onion

1/4 cup chilli powder

3 Tablespoons salt

4 teaspoons cornstarch

1 Tablespoon dried minced garlic

1 Tablespoon ground cumin

1 Tablespoon red pepper flakes

2 teaspoons beef bouillon granules

11/2 teaspoons oregano

Combine all the ingredients and store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 1 year. (Yield 3/4 cup).

Greek Salad

1 cup romaine lettuce

1/4 cup diced red pepper

1/4 cup diced red onion

1/2 cup diced cucumber

1/2 cup grape tomatoes, sliced in half

1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Small handful black olives

2 Tablespoons Greek dressing with feta and oregano

Wash and dry lettuce. Combine all ingredients (except dressing) in bowl. Toss with salad dressing. Serve.

Poppy Seed Dressing

1 1/4 cups white sugar

3/4 cup vinegar

2 Tablespoon prepared mustard DO NOT USE DRY MUSTARD

2 Tablespoons poppy seeds

2 teaspoons salt

1 medium onion chopped

2 cups canola oil

Mix well except oil. Mini whisk can be used or you can use a blender. Slowly add canola oil, beating all the time. Make a day before serving. Makes 1 quart of dressing.

First time I tasted this dressing was on fresh garden lettuce at the lake. Deb Moffat shared the recipe and I’ve made it ever since. She uses a whisk to make it and I always use my blender.

Orange Cranberry Romaine Salad

1 medium head of Romaine lettuce torn

2 cups drained orange segments

1 cup sliced celery

3 green onions, sliced

3/4 cup dried cranberries

3/4 teaspoon poppy seeds

1/4 cup canola oil

1/4 cup vinegar

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

In a large salad bowl, mix lettuce with the oranges, celery, onions, cranberries and poppy seeds. In a small bowl combine canola oil, vinegar, sugar and salt. Pour over salad, toss and serve immediately.

If you have a sunny south window you could grow a couple of multiplier onions, and a small container of fresh lettuce.

Good body condition score (BCS) of each young cow on the day of calving is a good starting point that will dictate the success of such upcoming reproductive performance. Submitted photo Peter Vitti