AgriPost September 25 2026

The AgriPost

September 25, 2026

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Low nitrogen levels add to 2027 crop planning concerns By Harry Siemens Harvest across southern Manitoba is moving into soybeans, with cereal yields generally near average while canola yields come in below expectations. Unusually low residual nitrogen levels are adding another concern for farmers planning the 2027 crop. Brunel Sabourin, owner and lead agronomist with Antara Agronomy Services Ltd. in St. Jean Baptiste, Man., says cereal yields are average for the most part, with acceptable protein levels. “Cereal yields are average for the most part. Protein is okay,” Sabourin says. Crop development faced challenges throughout the season. Heavy spring rainfall and a cold May slowed crop growth, while available moisture declined during grain fill. Despite the moisture challenges, protein levels indicate crops generally received adequate nitrogen fertilizer. “Decent protein levels indicate

Antara Agronomy Services conducts sulphur research plots in southern Manitoba to help farmers better understand crop response and fine-tune fertilizer decisions. Submitted photo

adequate N fertilization,” Sabourin says. “Maybe we hit it just right.” Canola presents a different picture. Sabourin says yields are mostly below average as several factors combine to limit production. Hot conditions during flowering reduced yield poten-

tial, cabbage seedpod weevil pressure increased sharply, and verticillium stripe is easy to find throughout the area. Harvest is now moving toward soybeans. Most producers are caught up to the soybean crop, with the earliest-planted fields ready for harvest as soon as

weather permits. Fall rainfall has provided good soil moisture across southern Manitoba, although some fields are slightly on the wet side. Conditions are considerably wetter in the northern Red River Valley and Interlake. Farmers continue to pick away

at tillage as conditions allow. There is no panic surrounding fall fieldwork because most producers are focused on canola and cereal harvest before moving to other jobs. One issue increasingly demands attention as farmers look toward 2027. “We are seeing abnormally low residual nitrogen levels coming back thus far,” Sabourin says. He says very wet spring conditions contributed to nitrogen losses through denitrification. The low residual levels become particularly important as farmers consider fertilizer requirements and input costs for next year. “With high fertilizer prices and supply concerns, producers will want to spend more time fine-tuning their fertility programs,” he says. That means soil testing and careful fertility planning take on added importance. Farmers need to know what remains in their soils rather than assuming normal residual nitrogen levels.

Weather also remains part of the planning discussion. Sabourin says there is some concern about the possibility of a dry winter. Dry conditions increase concerns about soil protection and the potential for damaging spring winds. “No one wants a repeat of last spring’s wind events if it’s dry,” he says. Crop selection also enters the discussion. High fertilizer prices and potential supply constraints may make soybeans attractive because of their lower nitrogen fertilizer requirements compared with many other crops. “Crop choices may favour soybeans again this upcoming year if fertilizer prices stay high and supplies end up tight,” Sabourin says. For farmers, the focus now remains on completing soybean harvest and fall fieldwork while paying close attention to soil tests, moisture conditions, fertilizer availability and costs as plans for 2027 take shape.

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September 25, 2026

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September 25, 2026

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Conservatives outline rural policy proposals amid U.S. trade tensions By Dan Guetre Conservative Shadow Minister for Rural Development Dave Epp says his party is proposing measures aimed at supporting rural Canadians as trade tensions with the United States continue to affect farmers, forestry operations and rural businesses. In a written statement, Epp said ongoing tariffs and counter-tariffs are creating financial pressures for Canadian producers and businesses that rely on access to U.S. and international markets. “For our proud Canadian farmers, fishermen and foresters, and for rural businesses from coast to coast to coast, market access is not an abstract question,” Epp said. “It

The Conservatives are calling for the reversal of what Epp described as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada closures. Submitted photo

is life and death for their companies and communities.” Epp said Canadian farmers are facing pressure from tariffs

and counter-tariffs affecting products ranging from honey to agricultural equipment. He said lower revenues, higher

input costs and uncertainty are making it more difficult for producers to sustain and expand their operations. The Conservatives are calling for the reversal of what Epp described as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada closures. The party is also proposing a provisional approval process that would allow Canadian farmers to access agricultural products already approved by competent foreign regulators within 90 days. Epp also outlined measures targeting Canada’s forestry sector, which he said contributes more than $30 billion to the Canadian economy. The Conservatives are calling for federal and provincial regulations to be streamlined

to eliminate what they describe as unnecessary duplication. Epp also reiterated the party’s call for the federal government to use its negotiating leverage to eliminate tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber exports to the United States. The statement also focused on fuel costs. Epp said the Conservatives want the federal government to remove all federal taxes on gasoline and diesel until at least Canada Day. He said the measure would provide lower-cost fuel to farmers, truckers, fishers and forestry operators during the period of trade uncertainty. The party is also proposing to defer capital gains taxes on money that is reinvested in

Canada. Epp said the measure would give rural businesses more flexibility to make investments and plan for future growth. The proposals are part of the Conservatives’ Big Plan for Small Towns, a rural policy initiative focused on measures involving farms, forestry, fuel and finance. Epp said the party intends to continue advocating for rural industries as negotiations and trade disputes with the United States continue. “Conservatives want a Canada that uses its leverage to get the best deal possible for our people,” Epp said. “And we will always be ready with solutions for whatever troubles rural Canadians face.”

Growers warned malathion-treated bins can put canola marketability at risk By Dan Guetre Canola growers are being reminded to carefully plan grain storage ahead of harvest, as malathion residues in grain bins can transfer to canola seed and potentially put its marketability at risk. Keep it Clean, an initiative of the Canola Council of Canada and other industry partners, is warning growers not to use malathion in bins intended to store canola. Malathion residues can remain

on bin surfaces for months after treatment and may transfer from the bin to stored canola, even when the product was applied well before the crop was placed in storage. Canola containing malathion residues is unacceptable to some export customers and can contribute to concerns about Canada’s reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality canola. Malathion may be used to treat cereals and other non-oilseed grains in bins when permitted

by the product label. However, Keep it Clean recommends growers record the date a bin is treated, avoid storing canola in the bin during the same growing season and clearly identify treated bins to prevent accidental use. Planning bin use before harvest is an important part of preventing cross-contamination. The Canola Council of Canada and Keep it Clean recommend thoroughly cleaning bins before storing canola and using only

storage treatments approved for canola, such as diatomaceous earth, before the crop is placed in the bin. Growers should also condition canola to appropriate moisture and temperature levels for long-term storage. Bins should be kept cool, dry and well ventilated, with regular inspections during storage. Another potential source of contamination is treated seed or animal protein products such as blood meal and bone meal.

These materials should not be present in bins intended for canola storage. Keep it Clean notes that malathion can be used in empty bins when the product label allows and when the bins will subsequently hold cereals or other non-oilseed grains. However, the product should not be used in bins that will store canola during the same growing season. Oilseeds such as canola are particularly vulnerable to absorbing residues, making bin

history and preparation important considerations before loading the crop. Growers who use malathion in grain storage are encouraged to maintain clear records of treatments and identify treated bins so they are not inadvertently used for canola. With harvest approaching, the industry is emphasizing that storage decisions made before the crop enters the bin can help prevent contamination and protect access to export markets.

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September 25, 2026

Wet, dry weather leaves Manitoba soybean crop around average By Harry Siemens Manitoba soybean growers are approaching harvest after a growing season that swung between excessive moisture and dry conditions, leaving the eastern crop with average yield potential and some difficult harvest decisions. Terry Buss, production agronomist – East with Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers (MPSG), provided the soybean update during Manitoba Agriculture’s Sept. 16 Crop Talk webinar. MPSG confirmed Buss serves eastern Manitoba growers in this role, while Manitoba Agriculture describes Crop Talk as its weekly webinar series featuring specialists and invited guests discussing current agronomic issues. Buss said eastern Manitoba soybeans are now moving rapidly toward maturity. Many fields show significant leaf drop, while early varieties are approaching harvest readiness. The season, however, has given growers almost every kind of moisture challenge. “We alternate between flood and being overly dry. That’s the story,” Buss says. Standing water removed

plants and left bare areas in many fields. Later dry periods created additional stress during pod development. Buss says rainfall averages do not necessarily show the damage because individual weather events can matter more than seasonal averages. Despite those challenges, he sees the eastern soybean crop producing around average yields. “The crop is meh,” Buss says. “Yield-wise, I’m thinking average, like our five- or 10-year average, maybe.” Some fields show above-average potential, while others struggle to reach average. Buss says much depends on how individual fields handled alternating wet and dry periods. The upper pods play an important role because successful pod fill near the top of the plant can move a crop from average to good. Disease and insect pressure remain relatively quiet overall. White mould appears in some lush, tall fields, while Septoria and bacterial blight have also been reported. Soybean aphids, green cloverworm and spider mites generally remain limited concerns.

MPSG’s September field update also reports eastern Manitoba soybeans moving into late reproductive stages as harvest approaches. Frost now becomes an important consideration. Buss says temperature alone does not determine damage. The duration of cold temperatures, soil moisture, canopy thickness, wind and cloud cover all influence how soybeans respond. He considers soybeans at the R7 stage generally safe from significant frost damage, while green crops at earlier reproductive stages remain more vulnerable. Uneven maturity creates another challenge. Flood-damaged portions of some fields remain behind while healthier areas reach maturity. Buss says selective harvesting or desiccation may work in certain situations, but patience remains important. “I’m counselling people to be a little calm about this and just wait,” he says. Wet harvest conditions also put aeration and drying capacity into focus. Buss encourages growers to check their systems before combining higher-moisture beans. For

Deep combine tracks illustrate the wet field conditions that slow Manitoba’s harvest and force producers to make difficult decisions about crop quality, drying and which fields to harvest first. Submitted photo

longer-term storage, he points to approximately 14 per cent moisture as an important target. Buss also encourages growers to investigate suspicious low-yielding areas for soybean cyst nematode. He says the pest is present in Manitoba, and growers have an opportunity to identify infestations before they become a larger production problem. For now, patience remains the key message. The crop approaches harvest with average potential, but weather, field conditions and uneven maturity will determine how much of that potential reaches the bin.

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September 25, 2026

Manitoba stays on daylight time and the cows don’t care

For as long as I can remember, changing the clocks twice a year has created confusion, conversation and sometimes a little comedy. Somebody arrives at church an hour early, somebody else comes an hour late, and occasionally someone blames the time change for being late, even when I suspect the clock has very little to do with it. Now Manitoba puts that twice-ayear ritual behind us. The province is moving to permanent daylight time, which means Manitobans will not turn their clocks back this fall. At first, I wondered why we need to change something we have managed for so many years. But the more I think about it, the more I see permanent daylight time as another adaptation to how we live and work. I remember when daylight saving time itself made a noticeable difference in my younger years. Back in the mid-to-late 1950s, baseball and fastball were a big part

of our evenings. Without that extra hour of daylight, an April baseball game sometimes ended around 7:30 or 8 p.m. because we simply could not see the ball anymore. There were no big banks of stadium lights waiting for us. When darkness arrived, the game ended. Daylight saving time changed that. Suddenly, we had another useful hour of evening daylight and enough light to finish the game. To a young fellow wanting to play baseball, that extra daylight seemed like a pretty good invention. I still see value in evening daylight today. Farmers can finish another job, families have more time outdoors, gardeners can keep working and, yes, people can play another inning. But farmers also understand something about daylight better than most people: changing the clock does not change the sun. The cows do not check their watches. The hogs do not gather around the barn clock and agree to wait another hour for breakfast. Crops do not mature according to Central Daylight Time. And when wheat is dry and rain is coming, nobody shuts the combine down because the clock reaches supper time.

Agriculture operates according to weather, daylight, animals and the work that needs doing. That is why I think permanent time makes some practical sense for agriculture. Livestock producers maintain one consistent feeding and working schedule. Farm employees do not need to adjust their routines twice a year. Trucking appointments, barn systems and office schedules also become more consistent. Of course, permanent daylight time comes with a trade-off. Manitoba gets some very dark winter mornings. That becomes particularly noticeable for rural families, children waiting for school buses, employees driving to farms and producers starting morning chores. Good yard lights, equipment lights and reflective clothing become even more important. Manitoba farmers already know how to work in the dark, but permanent daylight time gives us more of it in the morning. There is also potential confusion when we do business outside Manitoba. Saskatchewan keeps its clocks unchanged year-round, while some neighbouring provinces and U.S. states may observe a different time zone from Manitoba for part of the

year. That means I would set the time zone carefully for appointments, grain deliveries, livestock pickups and online meetings. Nine o’clock in Manitoba may not mean nine o’clock somewhere else. Farmers should also check older barn controllers, computers, machinery monitors and automated systems. Some devices automatically expect the traditional fall clock change. A machine that thinks Manitoba still changes time could create its own little version of arriving at church an hour early. I have come around to liking the idea. I call it a permanent adaptation. We adapt to new machinery, new technology, changing markets, different weather patterns and new ways of communicating. We can adapt to leaving the clocks alone. And perhaps the best part comes this fall, when I do not have to walk around the house changing clocks and wondering whether to set them ahead or back. The sun still rises. The cows still want breakfast. Farmers still work until the job is finished. And maybe, somewhere, there is enough evening daylight for one more inning.

El Niño expected to bring warmer, extended fall to Manitoba By Dan Guetre Manitoba is expected to experience a generally warmer-than-normal fall, with occasional bouts of winter-like weather interrupting the season before milder conditions return later in the year, according to The Weather Network’s 2026 fall forecast. The forecast, covering the remainder of September, October and November, calls for warmer-than-normal temperatures to dominate much of the Prairies during the fall. For southern Manitoba, precipitation is expected to be near normal, while areas farther north are forecast to receive below-normal precipitation. The Weather Network says an intensifying El Niño will be the domi-

nant influence on weather patterns this fall. The event is projected to become an exceptionally strong El Niño, although Canada is not expected to experience the most significant impacts associated with the weather pattern. “While many parts of the world are bracing for the impacts of a historic El Niño, Canada is not expected to feel the brunt of its effects,” said Doug Gillham, senior meteorologist with The Weather Network. “In fact, El Niño could have a moderating influence on some of the weather extremes that we might otherwise experience.” El Niño occurs when ocean waters in the tropical Pacific become warmer than normal. The resulting changes can influence the global jet stream and

affect weather patterns in different parts of the world. For Manitoba and the broader Prairie region, the forecast calls for a fall characterized by fluctuating temperatures. Warmer conditions are expected to be interrupted by periods of colder weather, including some early winter-like conditions. However, the forecast indicates these colder periods are likely to be temporary, with milder temperatures returning. The Weather Network expects mild conditions to become more prominent in November and continue into December, potentially delaying the arrival of consistent winter weather. The extended period of relatively mild conditions could also mean few-

er prolonged periods of winter weather during the traditional transition from fall to winter. Across Canada, the forecast calls for fewer of the classic fall storms that typically occur during October and November. The Atlantic region is also expected to see fewer hurricanes. Despite the overall milder outlook, forecasters caution that Canada remains vulnerable to individual high-impact storms during the fall. For Manitoba, the combination of near-normal precipitation in the south and warmer temperatures could provide a relatively favourable fall pattern, although individual weather systems can still bring rapid changes in conditions. The forecast emphasizes that sea-

sonal outlooks describe broad weather patterns rather than specific day-today conditions. Manitoba residents can therefore expect periods of colder weather despite the overall warmer seasonal trend. The Weather Network’s forecast suggests the transition to winter will be gradual, with consistent winter conditions potentially arriving later than usual. For southern Manitoba, the outlook calls for near-normal precipitation combined with a predominantly mild temperature pattern through much of the fall, followed by continued mild conditions into November and potentially December.

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Opinion

September 25, 2026

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Attacks on Trump needlessly put Manitobans’ economic well-being at risk

By Dr. Marco Navarro-Génie The authority that a first minister exercises carries an obligation of dignity and composure, especially in adversity. It is not a question of style but of discipline. That discipline matters most when a leader’s words carry consequences for the people he represents. Manitoba’s hard-working beekeepers are a case in point. Manitoba beekeepers are among the most productive in the country. The province’s roughly 1,015 beekeepers ran about 119,000 colonies in 2025 and produced 17.85 million pounds of honey,

second only to Alberta’s 34.2 million. Each colony averaged about 150 pounds of honey that year, among the best per-hive returns in the country. The operations are typically family farms. Some started with four hives in a back field. It’s a hard business. Hives sit in wintering rooms for nearly six months, with winter losses running near 20 per cent on average. Spring and fall go to building colonies up and settling them down, leaving only about two full months for producing honey. That narrow window carries the income hopes for a whole year. Manitoba’s honey industry is worth about $50 million, which is less than the province’s civil servants spend in one afternoon. It is not a flashy, billion-dollar industry. But it ships nearly two-thirds of its production abroad and accounts, by volume, for 54.5 per cent of Canadian honey exports,

compared with Alberta’s 20 per cent and Saskatchewan’s less than eight per cent. Those shipments were worth $28.79 million to Manitoba last year. That is a genuine export success built on decades of patient, quiet work. Most of it goes south, which is why honey’s appearance on Washington’s list of goods facing 50 per cent tariffs is not an abstraction. It hits this industry directly. On Aug. 20, as Ottawa weighed concessions to smooth a deal, Premier Wab Kinew called President Trump “erratic,” “irresponsible” and “not to be trusted,” adding “you can’t make a good deal with a bad person.” Two days later, once talks collapsed, Kinew backed Prime Minister Mark Carney’s walkout. He told Manitobans, “History will not be kind to Donald Trump,” and “we should never appease him, and we should fight back.”

Such personal retaliation comes with consequences. The premier is perfectly entitled to his opinion of President Trump, and plenty of Manitobans may share it. That is not the issue. The issue is prudence: a premier owes his province the discipline to know that livelihoods sit downstream of his words. Washington’s list falls hardest on British Columbia and Quebec, whose premiers have gone further than Kinew, and lightest on Alberta and Saskatchewan, whose premiers exercised greater restraint. Manitoba can least afford to find out whether needless political provocation carries an economic price. Federal subsidies are not the answer. This is a have-not province that already draws roughly $5 billion in equalization for 2026-27 and has run deficits in all but two of the last 17 years. A credit-rating agency has recently

warned that trade turmoil could push this year’s shortfall toward $900 million, a hole that affects every Manitoban, beekeeper or not. With finances already this weak, Manitoba can hardly afford another economic blow. More subsidies only weaken Manitoba’s economic health. Dealing with a tough trading counterpart in the U.S. administration is not easy. But dignity and discipline matter, especially when others may suffer for their absence. A premier’s words should shield the people he represents, not leave them paying for a fight they did not choose. Manitoba’s beekeepers earned their export success through patience and hard work. Their premier owes every Manitoban the same discipline. Dr. Marco Navarro-Génie is vice-president of research and policy at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy.

New federal tax incentive could accelerate farm investment By Dan Guetre A new federal tax incentive announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to give Canadian farmers and ranchers greater ability to immediately deduct the cost of a broad range of capital investments. The Productivity Mega Deduction, announced Sept. 15, would make immediate expensing permanent for most eligible depreciable property. Immediate expensing allows a business to deduct the full cost of an eligible investment in the year the asset becomes available for use. For agriculture, eligible investments include farm machinery, freight trucks, non-passenger ve-

hicles and a range of other depreciable property used in farming operations. The federal government says the measure will expand immediate expensing from roughly 15 per cent of capital assets to more than 65 per cent. The change could affect decisions involving major farm capital purchases, allowing producers to claim the full eligible cost of an investment in the year it is put into use rather than deducting the cost over several years through the normal capital cost allowance system. The federal government says the measure is intended to lower the after-tax cost of investment and encourage businesses to pur-

chase new equipment, expand operations and improve productivity. For the agriculture and fishing sector, the government estimates the marginal effective tax rate on new investment would fall from 7.6 per cent under measures previously in place to a projected negative 6.0 per cent under the Productivity Mega Deduction. Across all sectors, the federal government projects Canada’s marginal effective tax rate on new business investment will fall from approximately 13 per cent to 6.4 per cent. The new incentive builds on the Productivity Super-Deduction announced in Budget 2025, which

provided immediate expensing for a narrower range of investments, including certain machinery, equipment and buildings used in manufacturing and processing, clean-energy equipment and other productivity-enhancing assets. The expanded program will also cover infrastructure and other capital assets supporting Canada’s economy. For agriculture, improvements to transportation infrastructure such as roads, bridges and rail could provide an indirect benefit by supporting the movement of grain, livestock, inputs and other farm products. However, not every agricultural building or capital asset will qualify for immediate expensing.

Certain buildings and additions are excluded from the permanent measure, along with some other types of property. Assets that do not qualify will continue to be eligible for other accelerated depreciation measures. The federal government estimates the Productivity Mega Deduction will have an incremental fiscal cost of $36 billion over five years, beginning in 2026-27. For farm businesses facing significant equipment, transportation and infrastructure costs, the new tax treatment could become an additional consideration when planning major capital investments, replacing aging equipment or expanding operations.

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September 25, 2026

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Harvest time in the garden and orchard By Joan Airey “Gardening is the only hobby where your mistakes are edible, your failures are compostable and your successes feed people you love. The riskto-reward ratio is unmatched.” When I read the above, I thought, that’s really true.

Another inch and threetenths of rain fell yesterday, so if I want to cook potatoes for supper, I’ll have to put my rubber boots on to dig them. We have had an outstanding crop of apples this fall. A gentleman from Ontario told me apples need lots of water in

June, and this year Mother Nature provided it. Our five apple trees have kept a few families supplied with apples. Cherries were bountiful too. I’m losing some tomatoes to blossom end rot. My garden must be short of something, as my neighbour has beautiful tomatoes and I gave my tomatoes the same care she did. My Celebrity tomato plants are fine, but I’m losing several others to blossom end rot. When I was at the colony market, I met a lady from Kemnay who said she puts three tubs under her tomato plant when she plants them and has no problems. I wish

I’d gotten her name, as she was telling me how she made a cabbage soup that sounded like it would be absolutely delicious. Are you drying seeds from your garden to plant next year? Small jelly jars are a great thing to use to store them. The Gardener Magazine fall issue has a great article on saving your seeds. Planting a fall garden for early spring vegetables may not be an option this year. As I write this, it’s pouring rain for the third day this week. Yesterday was a gorgeous sunny day, so I finished picking apples. They were so

bountiful that I was able to share them with friends. Guess I should have picked my tomatoes too. The next sunny day, that will be on my to-do list. When I dug some carrots yesterday, I noticed some are growing extra roots, so they don’t need any more rain. We didn’t get our electric fence around the corn this year, and Monday the raccoons did a massive destruction job on it. Next year, the fence goes up early. My plan is for it to go up early around the corn and peas, as the deer ate them. We have enjoyed radishes this fall that were planted where a potato previously

grew. Our third planting of lettuce is growing in planters on the patio, plus I have spinach planted for a fall crop. The other day, I brought in radishes that I noticed would have cost $5.99 in the store. They came from a package of seed that cost me $4.45, and we have had two plantings of radishes. Radishes planted in my garden don’t survive the flea beetles, so I only plant them in planters on the patio. The Manitoba Master Gardener newsletter is full of gardening information, as well as information on tours and educational events that gardeners would enjoy.

Federal government announces $3.8M to promote Canadian pork in international markets By Dan Guetre The federal government is providing up to $3.8 million to support the Canadian pork industry’s efforts to expand international markets and promote Canadian pork to consumers around the world. Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced the investment for Canada Pork (CP) through the AgriMarketing Program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The funding will support efforts to improve market access, increase consumer awareness and promote growth in Canada’s pork sector. Canada Pork will use the funding to promote Canadian pork in new and emerging markets across Asia, Europe and the Americas. Planned activities include participation in major international trade shows, trade missions and business meetings intended to connect Canadian exporters directly with interna-

tional buyers. The organization says the activities will help exporters reach new customers, develop international business relationships and expand sales. The investment will also support promotion of the Verified Canadian Pork brand. The program highlights Canadian standards for quality, food safety, animal care and traceability, with the goal of strengthening recognition of Canadian pork in international markets. “Canadian pork is recognized around the world for its high standards of quality, safety and production,” MacDonald said. “This investment will support the sector’s ability to strengthen its position in international markets, create new opportunities for Canadian producers and processors, and contribute to a strong and resilient food system.” Hans Kristensen, chair of Canada Pork, said the organization views international market diversification as an important part

of maintaining a strong Canadian pork industry. “Diversification is core to Canada Pork’s mandate, and this investment helps us build and maintain international markets, reach new global customers, and keep our industry strong at home,” Kristensen said. Canada Pork was established in 1991 by the Canadian Meat Council and the Canadian Pork Council. It serves as the domestic and global market intelligence and promotional organization for Canada’s pork industry. Canadian pork exports and pork products were valued at $5.7 billion in 2025, according to the federal government. Approximately 65 per cent of Canada’s pork production is exported annually to about 76 countries. The United States, Japan, Mexico, China and South Korea were Canada’s five largest pork markets in 2025. Together, those markets accounted for more than 83 per cent of Canadian pork exports by volume.

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September 25, 2026

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Federal funding will identify Red River Métis agricultural priorities By Harry Siemens The Government of Canada is investing up to $160,545 to help identify the needs, priorities and challenges of Red River Métis farmers and agricultural professionals. Ginette Lavack, Member of Parliament for St. Boniface—St. Vital, announced the funding Aug. 31 on behalf of federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald. The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF), the National Government of the Red River Métis, will receive the funding through the AgriDiversity Program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The project will bring Red River Métis agricultural producers and industry professionals together for community meetings where they can share knowledge, describe their experiences and discuss priorities for the future. The MMF will also conduct surveys to gather information about barriers, opportunities and concerns identified by community members. That information will form the basis of “whatwe-heard” reports outlining current challenges, pos-

sible solutions and a path toward meaningful and sustainable participation in agriculture. The reports will reflect Red River Métis values and traditions while highlighting the community’s contribution to the sector. MacDonald said understanding the experiences of Red River Métis producers will help address barriers and strengthen their participation in Canadian agriculture. “Supporting Red River Métis communities in ways that are meaningful to their values and traditions contributes to a more inclusive agricultural sector,” he said. Lavack said Red River Métis agricultural producers bring knowledge, experience and perspectives that strengthen Manitoba agriculture. “As we look to the future of agriculture in our province, it’s important that their voices are at the table and that we listen to their priorities and ambitions,” she said. David Beaudin, the Manitoba Métis Federation’s minister for agriculture, said the Red River Métis helped shape Prairie agriculture long before Confed-

eration. He said the project will allow citizens working in agriculture and agri-food to identify their priorities, opportunities and challenges. That information can help the MMF develop programming that supports sustained participation in what Beaudin described as a traditional Red River Métis economy. The MMF represents the Red River Métis as a distinct Nation and People. Canada recognized the MMF as the democratically elected government of the Red River Métis through the Manitoba Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Agreement, signed at Upper Fort Garry on July 6, 2021. The federal AgriDiversity Program has a $5-million budget to help Indigenous Peoples and other underrepresented or marginalized groups participate more fully in agriculture and agri-food. It operates under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a fiveyear, $3.5-billion agreement running from 2023 to 2028. Federal, provincial and territorial governments fund the partnership to improve the competitiveness,

Tasty Content Dear Editor: My husband & I farm in the Fisher Branch (Interlake) area and we receive the AgriPost publication which we enjoy reading. I especially enjoy reading Joan Airey’s articles and the recipes and comments that she contributes. Keep up the good work! Sincerely, Cindy Plett

innovation and resilience of Canada’s agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sectors. The immediate purpose of the project is to listen to producers, document their experiences and identify practical next steps. The resulting recommendations could guide future programs, investments and partnerships intended to help Red River Métis producers enter, remain and expand in agriculture. For the project to have lasting value, community input must lead to measurable action. The consultation provides a starting point by placing Red River Métis producers’ voices at the centre of that process.

David Beaudin, the Manitoba Métis Federation’s minister for agriculture, says Red River Métis citizens have helped shape Prairie agriculture since before Confederation and must have a meaningful voice in its future. Photo by Harry Siemens.

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September 25, 2026

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Foodgrains Bank urges Ottawa to make no further aid cuts By Harry Siemens Canadian Foodgrains Bank is asking Ottawa to make no further cuts to international assistance as the federal government prepares its 2026 budget. The organization wants Canadians to call their members of Parliament during a Sept. 12–19 campaign and ask them to oppose further reductions. It seeks to maintain current funding rather than reverse the $2.7-billion reduction over four years set out in Budget 2025. In Sudan, a mother named Amna and her family fled their village during the war and moved to a camp for displaced people. A local partner of a Foodgrains Bank member supplied four months of food assistance to 4,055 households, including hers, with federal funding. Her parcel contained sorghum, lentils, oil and salt—an example of what assistance means on the ground. Carol Thiessen, the bank’s director of public policy, says existing Foodgrains Bank proj-

Amna stands with food assistance in Sudan after her family fled their village because of the war. The federally funded distribution provided four months of food to displaced families.

Lead farmers Chipo and John show seedlings at their nursery in Zimbabwe, part of the federally funded Nature+ landscape restoration program.

Taniso holds food assistance in Zimbabwe, where a six-month project helps families through the lean Submitted photos season.

ects with signed agreements have not been affected by the cuts. The concern is what will happen when organizations seek funding for new work in places facing hunger and human-

itarian crises. “It is difficult to ascertain the impact of these cuts on new and future funding agreements,” Thiessen says. “Ultimately, it will result in less support being provided where it is most needed.” She says reductions by other donor countries are adding pressure. Local partners have had to lay off staff and cut services as funding from various countries has fallen. If money for food or farm support shrinks while need remains high, agencies may have to serve fewer people or provide less help to each household. During 2025–26, the bank’s emergency food and nutrition programs reached 429,941 people in 16 countries, according to its annual report. Thiessen says those programs measure results through the number of people reached, what families eat and whether they can meet basic needs without resorting to harmful coping measures. Longer-term work has different goals. Nature+, a three-year landscape restoration program funded by a $35.5-million federal grant, aims to improve soil, water retention and resilience to drought. By December 2025, 77,994 people had participated directly and 17.9 million trees had been planted. Those figures measure activity; improve-

ments in food security take longer to assess. Thiessen says emergency food aid, landscape restoration and matching donations cannot be ranked by a single measure. Matching is a fundraising tool, while the other two are programs designed to meet different needs. The bank says its 15 Canadian member agencies work with established local partners, use financial reporting and independent audits, and monitor projects and community feedback. Thiessen acknowledges that no aid system is free of risk, but says screening, oversight and coordination help guard against fraud and duplicated work. Some Canadians want limited federal dollars directed first to food insecurity and living costs at home. Thiessen says governments must balance those demands. Foodgrains Bank is not asking for an increase in the coming budget, though it believes Canada can assist people abroad while supporting Canadians. Canada’s official development assistance represented 0.32 per cent of gross national income in 2025, according to preliminary OECD figures. That remains below the long-standing international target of 0.7 per cent. For now, Thiessen says the test is straightforward: when Budget 2026 is released this fall, Foodgrains Bank wants to see no further cuts to international assistance.

The AgriPost

September 25, 2026

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Country-of-origin debate threatens integrated livestock trade By Harry Siemens Renewed pressure for country-of-origin labelling in the United States could significantly disrupt Canada’s livestock sector unless farmers and processors develop a workable alternative, says Cam Dahl, general manager of the Manitoba Pork Council. Country-of-origin rules are gaining importance as Canada, the United States and Mexico prepare for further trade negotiations. Questions about where food originates are legitimate, Dahl said, but poorly designed regulations could leave Canadian farmers and processors as collateral damage. In 2009, the United States implemented mandatory country-of-origin labelling for red meat. Retailers had to identify where animals were born, raised and processed, forcing plants to segregate Canadian livestock from American animals. The requirement disrupted highly integrated North American pork and beef markets. Processors faced additional handling expenses, consumers paid higher grocery prices and Canadian hog and cattle producers lost income. Canada and Mexico challenged the rules through the World Trade Organization and won following a six-year process. Dahl

Cam Dahl, general manager of the Manitoba Pork Council, says renewed U.S. country-of-origin labelling proposals could disrupt integrated North American livestock markets and threaten Manitoba’s annual exports of approximately three million weanlings. Photo by Harry Siemens.

warned that Canada cannot depend on another successful WTO challenge because the organization’s dispute-settlement system no longer functions effectively. New American regulations governing voluntary “Product of the U.S.A.” meat labels

took effect Jan. 1. Under the strengthened rules, animals must meet stricter origin requirements before their meat can carry that label. Manitoba hog farmers are watching how retailers respond. Suppliers wanting to use the American label may stop purchasing pigs born in Manitoba. That could also affect approximately three million Manitoba weanlings shipped to the United States annually. The pigs enter American finishing operations through an established production system that benefits farms and processors on both sides of the border. The second concern comes from the U.S. Farm Bill. On Aug. 6, the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee voted to include mandatory country-of-origin labelling for beef. Dahl said other livestock sectors should not assume the political campaign will stop with beef. Consumers want transparent information about where their food was raised. Agriculture should recognize that demand rather than dismiss it. If farmers and processors do not respond, governments may impose rules that damage production and trade. The industry must communicate that Canadian and American livestock systems are

highly compatible. Both countries have comparable farm practices, veterinary drug regulations and food-safety standards. Integrated livestock markets increase consumer choice, support food security and help keep retail prices affordable. Breaking those supply chains would increase costs and reduce flexibility during geopolitical or production disruptions. Dahl suggested developing a “Product of North America” or joint “Product of Canada and the U.S.A.” label. It could assure consumers that farmers working under trusted Canadian or American standards raised the animals. Creating such a system would require agreement on eligibility, auditing and enforcement. Aligning the interests of a Texas rancher, a Manitoba hog producer, processors and two national governments would not be simple. Governments are unlikely to lead, Dahl said. Farm organizations and processors must first build support and propose a credible system. The origin question will not simply disappear. The challenge is answering it without dismantling the integrated market that helps North American farmers provide safe, nutritious and affordable food.

Canada regains beef export access to Dominican Republic By Dan Guetre Canadian beef producers have regained access to the Dominican Republic for the first time since 2003, following the Caribbean country’s approval of imports of Canadian beef and beef products. The Dominican Republic has approved Canadian beef, including offal, from cattle of all ages, reopening a market that had been closed to Canadian beef for more than two decades. The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) welcomed the decision, noting that the Dominican Republic was among the last coun-

tries to maintain bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)-related restrictions on Canadian beef. The Dominican Republic recently completed a risk assessment and audit of Canada’s beef production and inspection systems. According to the CCA, the assessment confirmed the strength and reliability of Canada’s food safety, inspection and animal-health controls. The findings led Dominican authorities to remove the longstanding restrictions on Canadian beef. The market reopening provides Canadian

cattle producers and beef processors with another potential export destination as the industry continues efforts to expand international market access. CCA President Tyler Fulton said Canadian producers are focused on meeting demand both domestically and internationally. “Canadian beef farmers and ranchers are proud to be part of an industry that provides safe, nutritious beef for Canadians and consumers around the world,” Fulton said. “As the demand for Canadian beef around the world continues to grow, we look forward to

every new market opportunity.” The Dominican Republic’s decision follows a series of efforts by Canadian industry and government officials to expand access for Canadian beef in international markets. The reopening also comes as Canadian cattle producers continue to face a changing global trade environment, making access to additional markets an important component of maintaining export opportunities for the sector. The approval covers beef and beef products, including offal, from cattle of all ages.

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September 25, 2026

Manitoba ranch families show how cattle and conservation work together By Harry Siemens Two Manitoba ranch families are demonstrating that beef production and environmental stewardship are not competing goals, but connected responsibilities passed down from one generation to the next. Scott and Janine Duguid welcomed visitors to Loch Wood Farm near Arnes, while Laura and Ryan Plett hosted the group at Sawmill Creek Livestock near Stead. Their operations were featured during a Manitoba ranch tour marking the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. The tour gave policymakers, conservation representatives, media and agricultural leaders an opportunity to see how producers manage cattle within two distinct Manitoba ecosystems. Rather than discussing sustainability through reports and statistics, participants walked the land and heard directly from the people making grazing and management decisions. For the Duguids and Pletts, stewardship is practical work. It means watching the weather, grass growth, soil conditions and cattle behaviour, then adapting management to what the land can support. Rotational and managed grazing can stimulate plant and root growth while maintaining grasslands that provide forage for cattle and habitat for wildlife. Those landscapes can store carbon, regulate water and support insects,

Ranchers, policymakers, conservation representatives, media and agricultural leaders gather during a Manitoba ranch tour showcasing how beef producers support food production, healthy grasslands and wildlife habitat. Photo courtesy of the Canadian Cattle Association

birds and other species. “Cattle pasture is not in competition with wildlife habitat,” Lau-

ra Plett said. “They are the same thing.” Plett said her family takes satisfaction in seeing the ecosystem become healthier over time. That improvement is a contribution to the land and a continuation of the relationship that has supported the family for generations. Scott Duguid said diversity is central to his family’s approach. By changing practices as conditions change, the farm aims to improve habitat not only for cattle, but also for wildlife, insects and soil life. “Our kids are the next generation learning how to care for the land and cattle together,” Duguid said. That connection between children, cattle and land may be the most important part of the story. Ranching families do not manage grasslands for one production cycle. Their decisions affect whether the opera-

tion, soil, water and habitat remain healthy enough to support another generation. The tour also visited the Ducks Unlimited Interpretive Centre at Oak Hammock Marsh, where participants heard how conservation organizations and ranchers can work together to protect important wildlife habitat. Canadian beef sustainability research indicates that land used for beef production provides much of the habitat wildlife need for reproduction and feeding. About 84 per cent of Canadian beef-production land is pasture, much of which is unsuitable for growing annual food crops but can produce nutritious food through grazing animals. Canada’s beef-production lands are also estimated to hold 1.9 billion tonnes of soil organic carbon. Maintaining those grasslands mat-

ters because converting or degrading them can release stored carbon and reduce habitat. The producers hosting the tour placed those environmental benefits into a human setting. Their contribution is not an abstract promise made for some distant future. It appears in the choices they make about stocking rates, grazing timing, plant diversity and the long-term care of the land. The International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists recognizes the economic, environmental and social value of grazing landscapes and the people caring for them. At Loch Wood Farm and Sawmill Creek Livestock, that recognition belongs first to the families doing the work: raising food, protecting grasslands and preparing their children to carry the responsibility forward.

The AgriPost

September 25, 2026

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Manitoba harvest stalled again by rain and heavy dews By Harry Siemens Manitoba farmers continue to fight wet conditions as scattered rain, heavy dews and muddy fields slow harvest progress across much of the province. While combines rolled in some areas late last week and over the weekend, many producers remain frustrated by limited harvest windows and declining grain quality. According to the latest crop report, dated Sept. 15, Manitoba’s overall harvest is about 40 per cent complete. Rainfall varied widely across the province during the reporting period. Most agricultural regions received more than six millimetres of moisture, while parts of the Southwest, Eastern and Interlake regions received between 15 and 40 millimetres. Bede recorded the largest total at 54.2 millimetres. Provincially, winter wheat and fall rye harvests are complete. Spring wheat harvest has reached 70 per cent, barley 76 per cent and oats 65 per cent. Canola remains the major crop still standing, with only 36 per cent harvested across Manitoba. The Southwest Region

continues to struggle with excess moisture. Producers report combines and grain carts getting stuck in some fields. A light frost briefly dropped temperatures to 0 C on Sunday morning, although little crop damage was reported. The spring wheat harvest is 40 to 45 per cent complete, with average to above-average yields. Barley harvest stands near 70 per cent complete, but quality concerns are increasing as sprouting, colour loss and lower test weights appear following recent rains. Oat harvest is about 50 per cent complete, while canola harvest is only 20 per cent complete. Lodging and wet field conditions continue to challenge growers. In the Northwest Region, warm temperatures have allowed some progress, although heavy dew continues to shorten working hours. Spring wheat harvest is about 45 per cent complete, with yields ranging from slightly below average to above average. Field pea harvest is 75 per cent complete. Canola harvest has barely started at five per cent complete, with yields

reported from below average to average. Central Region producers resumed fieldwork during the middle and latter part of last week. Much of the harvested grain still requires drying or aeration. Spring cereal harvest is nearly complete, with spring wheat yields and protein levels reported as average to good. Barley yields are slightly above average. However, quality has declined, and pre-harvest sprouting has occurred in later-harvested fields. Canola yields are generally below recent years, with pod shatter and strong winds causing losses in some fields. The Eastern Region made some of the strongest harvest gains during the week. The spring wheat harvest is estimated to be 95 per cent complete, while canola harvest has reached about 75 per cent, with some farms finished. Yield reports range from below average to average. Producers are hoping for sunny, windy days to help dry fields and keep harvest moving.

A combine moves through a canola field as harvest progresses, kicking up dust under warm, dry conditions near Lowe Farm. Photo by Harry Siemens

In the Interlake Region, harvest progress varies widely. Drier areas continue moving ahead, while rainfall and strong winds have slowed operations elsewhere. The spring wheat harvest is about 90 per cent complete, and oat and barley harvests are between 85 and 90 per cent complete. Canola harvest ranges from 30 to 40 per cent complete. Flooding and wind damage have reduced yield potential in some districts. Livestock producers are reporting good conditions despite harvest delays. Pastures remain in excellent shape for mid-September, cattle continue to perform well, and dugouts are generally full following recent rainfall. Hay yields are above average, although quality is expected to vary significantly because of the season’s unpredictable weather.

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U.S. cattle ranchers challenge Trump beef import plan By Harry Siemens Cattle ranchers are pushing back against the Trump administration after it authorized the tariff-free importation of 300,000 metric tonnes of ground beef to reduce record retail prices. Reporting by David Dayen and Zachary Groz in The American Prospect said the announcement pressured cattle markets, undercutting producers when tight supplies should have supported stronger returns. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s July Cattle on Feed report showed historically low placements, the smallest for that month in 30 years. Ranchers expected the limited supply to strengthen cattle prices after decades of declining profitability. Instead, prices dropped following the import announcement and were already about 20 per cent below their June peak.

Cattle graze on pasture as U.S. ranchers challenge policies they say weaken cattle prices, discourage herd expansion and increase depenPhoto courtesy of R-CALF USA dence on imported beef.

Ranchers argue that lower cattle prices do not necessarily translate into cheaper beef at grocery stores. Four dominant meatpackers control approximately 85 per cent of the U.S. beef-processing market, while consolidation among processors and retailers limits competition. Consumers continue paying some of the highest beef prices in American history.

Mike Callicrate, a Colorado rancher and head of Ranch Foods Direct, called the administration’s response “another big rug pull.” The administration issued two executive orders following the backlash. The measures promise reviews, reports, technical assistance, training and stronger enforcement of fair-competition laws. Critics say they provide little immedi-

ate support to ranchers coping with weaker cattle markets, rising costs and uncertainty. One order directs USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to investigate possible violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act, which addresses unfair and discriminatory conduct by meatpackers. However, ranchers question the commitment after the USDA recently cancelled three regulations intended to strengthen protections for livestock producers. Another proposal would make it easier for ranchers to process and market their own beef. While direct sales may help some specialized operations, critics say individual producers cannot realistically compete with multinational processors for space in highly consolidated retail chains. The USDA’s Ranchers First Initiative would provide grants to help rebuild the American cattle herd. Ranchers say that

goal conflicts with allowing a large volume of duty-free imported beef into the market. Producers are unlikely to invest in herd expansion when government announcements can quickly disrupt futures prices and reduce expected returns. The second executive order also begins a 90-day review of country-of-origin labelling. Ranchers have long supported mandatory labels that clearly identify where cattle were born, raised and processed. The imported beef, reportedly coming from Brazil and Argentina, can enter during that review period. Current rules allow foreign beef to be combined with domestic product without consumers necessarily seeing its origin on the retail label. Callicrate said the labelling issue has already been studied extensively and fears the review will delay meaningful

action until after the midterm elections. Oregon rancher Curtis Thomas questioned how imported beef can be slaughtered overseas, shipped to the United States and remain competitive against domestic production while American ranchers face steadily increasing input costs. The dispute highlights the difficult economics behind high retail beef prices. Consumers want relief at the checkout, but policies that push cattle prices below profitable levels may force more ranchers out, reduce domestic production and deepen reliance on imports. For ranchers, the central question is whether Washington will confront market concentration and support independent cattle production—or continue studying problems producers say are already well understood.

The AgriPost

September 25, 2026

AGRICULTURAL NEWS FOR TODAY’S FARMER. INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED.

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Grain exports return to Port of Churchill after five-year absence By Dan Guetre Grain exports have returned to the Port of Churchill for the first time since 2020, with approximately 30,000 tonnes of Canadian durum wheat loaded for shipment to European customers. Saskatchewan-based AGT Foods supplied the durum wheat, which was loaded onto the first of three grain vessels expected to use the Port of Churchill this season. The shipments are part of a new relationship between AGT Foods and Arctic Gateway Group (AGG) that is expected to continue in future years. The vessel has since departed for Europe. “At a time when the United States has fundamentally changed all of its trading relationships, we are focused on what we can control,” said Rebecca Chartrand, federal minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and minister responsible for CanNor. “This means building

Saskatchewan-based AGT Foods supplied the durum wheat, which was loaded onto the first of three grain vessels expected to use the Port of Churchill this season. Submitted photo

strength at home and diversifying trade, so that Canada is no longer reliant on a single trading partner.” Chartrand said the Port of Churchill provides an Indigenous- and locally owned northern gateway connecting Western Canadian producers

and resources with international markets. Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn said the return of grain exports represents an important development for Manitoba agriculture. “Our producers need more

ways to reach customers around the world, and Churchill provides an important northern gateway that can help diversify our trade, strengthen our supply chains and create new opportunities for Manitoba and Western Canadian agriculture,”

Kostyshyn said. Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor said the province continues to invest in the port and Hudson Bay Railway to support the transportation corridor. “Our government is making the investments needed to strengthen the port and Hudson Bay Railway, support trade and keep this important transportation corridor moving,” Naylor said. For AGT Foods, the Churchill route provides access to European and Mediterranean markets. “For AGT Foods, the Port of Churchill offers a compelling advantage: a shorter, efficient route connecting Western Canadian agriculture directly with customers in Europe and the Mediterranean,” said Murad Al-Katib, president and CEO of AGT Foods and Ingredients Inc. The grain shipment is part of what AGG describes as the most diversified shipping

season in the history of the Port of Churchill. AGG has developed a business and strategic advisory relationship with the European port. The Port of Churchill is also handling a northern resupply vessel destined for Nunavut, adding to its role as an international trade gateway and Arctic supply hub. “This is what a diversified Port of Churchill looks like,” said Mike Spence, AGG board chair and mayor of Churchill. “Prairie grain heading to Europe, critical minerals and Manitoba potash reaching international markets, and essential goods moving north to communities in Nunavut.” The Hudson Bay Railway and Port of Churchill are owned by OneNorth, a partnership involving 29 First Nations and 12 northern communities, and operated by Arctic Gateway Group.

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The AgriPost

September 25, 2026

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Three days of Competition and Learning By Lois McCrae Ninety-three young beef enthusiasts from Manitoba and Saskatchewan, along with a Japanese 4-H exchange member, took part in the 19th Annual Manitoba Youth Beef Round-Up July 31 to Aug. 2 at the Stride Exhibition Grounds. The event brought together 118 head of cattle for three days of educational activities, competitions, livestock judging and social activities. The weekend began with hands-on educational breakout sessions covering a range of topics relevant to young livestock producers. Sessions included cuts of meat with Blair McRae and Garth Jarvis; the Animal Intuitive Method with Kim Matthews; networking and podcasting with Kurtis Reid; grooming and animal safety with Gracie Falconer-Bertholet; and showmanship with Madisyn Robertson and Tanya Airey. Participants then competed in the Ag Challenge, which featured a series of fast-paced stations testing agricultural knowledge and practical skills. Activities included name-thatitem, a beach ball relay, clipping

Results from the weekend: Senior Showmanship Champion: Brock Sigurdson | Reserve Champion senior Showmanship: Carson Baker Intermediate showmanship Champion: Brynn Steppler | Reserve Champion Intermediate showmanship: Lillian Seward Junior Showmanship Champion: Paisley Baron | Reserve Champion Junior Showmanship: Brayden Steppler Pee-Wee Showmanship Champion: Declan Steppler | Reserve Champion Pee-Wee Showmanship: Chett Grose ANGUS Angus Heifer Calf: Kate Hinsburg – KCH Annie K 611 Champion Angus Heifer Calf: Kate Hinsburg Reserve Champion Angus Heifer Calf: Nadia Dekeyser Angus Yearling Female Split 1: Kate Hinsburg – KCH Annie K 525N Angus Yearling Female Split 2: Oliver Kyle – Red Mar Mac Bonita 39N Angus Yearling Female Split 3: Brayden Steppler – KT Tibbie 5017N Champion Angus Yearling Female: Brayden Steppler Reserve Champion Angus Yearling Female: Kate Hinsburg Angus Female Born in 2024 with calf: Kate Hinsburg – KCH Annie K 12M (calf – KCH Annie K 11P) Champion Angus Female Born in 2024 with calf: Kate Hinsburg Reserve Champion Angus Female Born in 2024 with calf: Brycen Frecon Champion Mature Angus Female with

chute setup, vaccination, hotwire gate assembly, dummy roping, tattooing, clipper blade changes and relay races. The day’s activities concluded with a slip-and-slide. Saturday featured individual judging competitions involving bred heifers, market steers, sheep, forage and hats. Participants also gave oral reasons explaining their judging decisions. Team grooming and team judging followed before the cook-off competition. For the cook-off, teams were provided with two steaks, limited seasonings and basic supplies. They were then challenged to prepare cold sides, drinks and steaks for the judges while also creating a themed table. This year’s theme was “Looking Ahead,” with participants incorporating costumes and decorations into their presentations. The cook-off was judged by Dr. Liz Ostendoorf, Ron McDonald, Ken and Christine Waddell, Noah Njegovan, Albert Rimke, Melissa McRae and Andre Steppler. The evening provided an opportunity for participants to socialize, build friendships and take part in recreational activities.

The final day featured showmanship and the conformation show, with judging conducted by Kurtis Reid of Martensville, Saskatchewan, and Phil and Catherine Brown of Springside, Saskatchewan. The event recognized participants across multiple age divisions and livestock breeds, as well as in individual judging, sales talk, photography, graphic design, art, scrapbook, team grooming and Ag Challenge competitions. Top honours included Brock Sigurdson being named Supreme Champion Female with Grass Roots Emmy 523. Chase Airey received the Bob Gordon Memorial Award for Top Overall Judge. Showmanship champions were Brock Sigurdson in the senior division, Brynn Steppler in intermediate, Paisley Baron in junior and Declan Steppler in pee-wee. Aggregate awards went to Adalyn McIntosh in pee-wee, Brayden Steppler in junior, Lillian Seward in intermediate and Laura Seward in senior. The Round-Up Scholarship was awarded to Kara-Lea de Rocquigny for $1,500 and Madisyn Robertson for $1,000.

calf: Carson Baker – Greenbush Lady Pride 5K (calf – Greenbush Lady Pride 20P) Grand Champion Angus Female: Kate Hinsburg – KCH Annie K 12M Reserve Grand Champion Angus Female: Carson Baker – Greenbush Lady Pride 5K Champion Angus Bull Calf: Elijah Ginter - BASKM Magnum 30P Reserve Champion Angus Bull Calf: Brycen Frecon – RRW Testament 610P CHAROLAIS Champion Charolais Heifer Calf: Chase Airey – HTA Wyonna 627P Charolais Yearling Female: Declynn Allum – Longview Birkin 30N Champion Charolais Yearling Female: Declynn Allum – Longview Birkin 30N Reserve Champion Charolais Yearling Female: Chase Airey – HTA Wyonna 593N Champion Charolais Female Born in 2024 with calf: Declynn Allum – Longview Blush 65M (calf – FAL Two Savage 1P) Reserve Champion Charolais Female Born in 2024 with calf: Blake Airey – HTA Purity 450M (calf – HTA Cyclone 617P) Champion Charolais Mature Female with calf: Chase Airey – HTA Wyonna 13H (calf – HTA Wyonna 627P) Grand Champion Charolais Female: Declynn Allum – Longview Birkin 30N Reserve Grand Champion Charolais Female: Chase Airey – HTA Wyonna 593N Champion Charolais Bull Calf: Declynn Allum – FAL Two Savage 1P

Reserve Champion Charolais Bull Calf: Blake Airey – HTA Cyclone 617P COMMERCIAL Commercial Heifer Calf: Brock Sigurdson – BSCC Ms Reward 1P Champion Commercial Heifer Calf: Brock Sigurdson Reserve Champion Commercial Heifer Calf: Keira Duguid Commercial Yearling Heifer Split 1: 1. Karen Cuthill – Caramel Commercial Yearling Heifer Split 2: 1. Rhett Sigurdson – BSCC Hailey Commercial Yearling Heifer Split 3: 1. Khloe Stocki – Jade Champion Commercial Yearling Female: Rhett Sigurdson Reserve Champion Commercial Yearling Female: Khloe Stocki Commercial Female Born in 2024 with calf: Brock Sigurdson – RF Miss Reward 427 (calf – BSCC Ms Reward 1P) Champion Commercial Female Born in 2024 with calf: Brock Sigurdson Reserve Champion Commercial Female Born in 2024 with calf: Nathan Armstrong Champion Mature Commercial Female with calf: Keira Duguid – Hope (calf – Polly) Reserve Champion Mature Commercial Female with calf: Aloyse Good – Polly (calf – Puddin) Grand Champion Commercial Female: Brock Sigurdson – RF Miss Reward 427 Reserve Grand Champion Commercial Female: Rhett Sigurdson – BSCC Hailey Champion Commercial Male Calf: Nathan Armstrong – Armstrong Power Play 3P

Ninety-three young beef enthusiasts from Manitoba and Saskatchewan, along with a Japanese 4-H exchange member, took part in the 19th Annual Manitoba Youth Beef Round-Up. Submitted photos

The event recognized participants across multiple age divisions and livestock breeds, as well as in individual judging, sales talk, photography, graphic design, art, scrapbook, team grooming and Ag Challenge competitions.

Chase Airey received the Bob Gordon Memorial Award for Top Overall Judge.

Breed champions were also recognized in Angus, Charolais, commercial, Hereford, Simmental and all other breeds, along with champions in the fat steer

and 4-H yearling female classes. The three-day event combined livestock competition with practical agricultural education, giving participants opportunities

to develop judging, animal-handling, teamwork and leadership skills while connecting with other young people involved in the beef industry.

Reserve Champion Commercial Male Calf: Shayle Botterill – Sam Winchester 15P HEREFORD Hereford Heifer Calf: Madeline McCauley – Sinnibars 1J Prairie Lady 107P Champion Hereford Heifer Calf: Madeline McCauley Hereford Yearling Heifer: Keira Duguid – GRH 029H Ladysport 1N Champion Hereford Yearling Female: Keira Duguid Reserve Champion Hereford Yearling Female: Chett Franken Hereford Female Born in 2024 with calf: Harley McCauley – Sinnibars RB Goldie ET 102M (calf – Sinnibars 3274 Presley 108P) Champion Hereford Female Born in 2024 with calf: Harley McCauley – innibars RB Goldie ET 102M (calf – Sinnibars 3274 Presley 108P) Grand Champion Hereford Female: Harley McCauley – Sinnibars RB Goldie ET 102M (calf – Sinnibars 3274 Presley 108P) Reserve Grand Champion Hereford Female: Keira Duguid - GRH 029H Ladysport 1N Champion Hereford Bull Calf: Harley McCauley – Sinnibars 3274 Presley 108P SIMMENTAL Simmental Heifer Calf: Adalyn McIntosh – MRK Everest 651P Reserve Champion Simmental Heifer Calf: Brynn Steppler Simmental Yearling Female Split 1: Averi Jury – SYD Brandy 352N Simmental Yearling Female Split 2:

Carmen Thorgilsson – JFRS Ms Nellie 6N Simmental Yearling Female Split 3: Brock Sigurdson – Grass Roots Emmy 523 Simmental Yearling Female Split 4: Abby de Rocquigny – NAC Ellie 19N Champion Simmental Yearling Female: Brock Sigurdson – Grass Roots Emmy 523 Reserve Champion Simmental Yearling Female: Brynn Steppler - NGDB/GW Image 173N Champion Simmental Born in 2024 with calf: Brynn Steppler – McIntosh Lulu 12M (calf – Steppler Lemon 125P) Reserve Champion Simmental Born in 2024 with calf: Kara-Lea De Rocquigny – Berts Ms Miracle 56M (calf – Berts Ms Paisley 51P) Mature Simmental Female with calf: 1. Kendra Hinsburg – CMS Cream Soda 050H (calf – KCH/Gurr Soda Crush 604P) Champion Simmental Mature Female with calf: Kendra Hinsburg – CMS Cream Soda 050H Reserve Champion Simmental Matuer Female with calf: Brooke Collins – Oakview Jayda 159J Grand Champion Simmental Female: Brock Sigurdson – Grass Roots Emmy 523 Reserve Grand Champion Simmental Female: Brynn Steppler - NGDB/GW Image 173N ALL OTHER BREEDS Champion All Other Breeds Heifer Calf: Lillian Seward (Limousin) – Amaglen Polly Pockey 49P

All Other Breeds Female Born 2024/2025 Split 1: Bryler Franken – Double Bar D Maria 802N (Shorthorn) All Other Breeds Female Born 2024/2025 Split 2: Laura Seward – Amaglen Nellie Jo (Limousin) Champion All Other Breeds Yearling Female: Laura Seward – Amaglen Nellie Jo (Limousin) Reserve Champion All Other Breeds Yealing Female: Lillian Seward – Amaglen Miss Nyla 7 (Limousin) Champion All Other Breeds Female Born in 2024 with calf: Lillian Seward (Limousin) – Amaglen Miss Molly 12N (calf – Amaglen Polly Pocket 49P) Reserve Champion All Other Breeds Female Born in 2024 with calf: Sigga Vigfusson (Shorthorn) – Head For The Hills Polka Dot (calf – SJV Pablo Escobar 9P) Grand Champion All Other Breeds Female: Lillian Seward– Amaglen Miss Molly 12N (Limousin) Reserve Grand Champion All Other Breeds Female: Laura Seward – Amaglen Nellie Jo (Limousin) Champion All Other Breeds Bull Calf: Sigga Vigfusson (Shorthorn) – SJV Pablo Escobar 9P Fat Steer: Kerri Walker – TNT Reserve Champion Fat Steer: Britton Canart Champion 4-H Yearling Female: Declan Steppler, Miami 4-H Beef Club Reserve Champion 4-H Yearling Female: Declynn Allum, Carnduff & Area 4-H Beef Club Supreme Champion Female: Brock Sigurdson – Grass Roots Emmy 523

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Grain drying decisions start with farm-specific costs By Harry Siemens Drying grain can give Manitoba farmers more flexibility during harvest, but Darren Bond says the decision should begin with farm-specific costs and crop requirements. Bond, P.Ag., a farm management specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, said corn is the crop most

commonly dried in the province. Wheat may also need drying during a wetter-than-average harvest. Some producers deliberately combine wheat a day early and dry it, adding harvest days and increasing effective combine capacity. Grain only a couple of percentage points above its target moisture level may be conditioned with

good bin aeration when temperatures are favourable and humidity is low. The equation changes as starting moisture rises. Using Manitoba Agriculture’s Grain Drying Cost Calculator, Bond demonstrated how producers can compare systems, fuels and moisture levels. In one corn example, drying from 22 per cent to 16 per cent moisture cost about 90 cents per bushel with a propane batch dryer and 55 cents with a natural-gas continuous-flow system. At 25 per cent starting moisture, the estimates rose to almost $1.58 per bushel with the propane system and about $1.00 with the natural-gas system. Natural gas can provide an operating advantage, but Bond cautioned that a continuous-flow system requires substantial capital. Producers must rightsize that investment and account for the dryer, handling equipment, electrical service, depreciation, labour and other fixed and operating costs. Crop characteristics matter, too. Canola can require crop-specific screens, lower heat and longer drying times. Edible beans are sensitive to rough handling and benefit from conveyors or grain legs rather than augers. Excessive heat or handling can damage grain. Heated aeration bins with stirring systems can offer a less costly alternative to a complete dryer installation and remain useful for storage in dry years. Bond said they work well for removing a few moisture points, although very tough grain, especially corn, can be more challenging. Producers hiring a neighbour to dry grain should count costs beyond the custom charge. Grain may need to be hauled both ways, placed hot into an aerated bin, cooled and possibly moved again. Bond directed farmers to Manitoba Agriculture’s Farm Machinery Custom and Rental Rate Guide for help estimating hauling and equipment costs. The drying calculator can also help farmers who provide custom drying services establish a fair charge without subsidizing their neighbours. For rented storage, Bond said common Manitoba market rates he hears range from about five cents per bushel annually for smaller flat-bottom

bins without aeration to five to 10 cents per bushel annually with floor aeration. Larger, well-equipped flat-bottom bins may rent for 10 to 15 cents. Hopper bins typically rent for about 15 cents, while large hopper bins with robust aeration systems can range from 20 to 25 cents. Electricity is normally extra. As a rule of thumb, Bond said each fan horsepower consumes roughly one kilowatt-hour. At the rates used in his presentation, operating a three-horsepower fan cost just over $7 per day, compared with about $16.60 for a seven-horsepower fan and $24 for a 10-horsepower fan. Clear written agreements are essential. They should identify the bins, rental and payment terms, grain-removal deadline, access, insurance, repairs, electricity and responsibility for monitoring grain and operating fans. Bond said vigilance remains the best defence against spoilage. Producers should monitor stored grain continuously using sensors, sampling or turning. Harvesting tough grain can protect quality and expand harvest capacity, but only if the crop is safely dried, cooled and properly managed afterward.

A Grain Guard aeration fan moves air through a grain bin to help condition grain harvested at slightly above-dry moisture levels. Bond says effective aeration depends on suitable temperatures, lower humidity and careful monitoring of the stored grain. Submitted photos

Darren Bond, P.Ag., farm management specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, examines grain during harvest. Bond says producers can use drying and aeration to gain flexibility at harvest while protecting grain quality.

The AgriPost

September 25, 2026

Test corn silage moisture for the best milk production By standing in front of the corn silage bunker, I get a good idea of the new crop corn silage quality. All it takes is a good handful. I look at its golden color, semicoarse chop, sweet smell and grain content. All together predicts how well cows should eat and then milk on it. What I can’t accurately tell is its actual moisture content. That is why, when corn silage lab reports are emailed to me, it is the first thing that I look at. It’s my experience that even modest changes to corn silage moisture have profound effects upon the amount of nutritious feed eaten by lactating dairy cows and again turned into milk. For example, if corn silage is particularly “wet” it affects dairy production in three ways: 1. Ensiling the corn crop - High quality corn silage is the end result of processing tonnes of chopped whole corn plants at about 65 – 70% moisture and either tractor-pack it onto a concrete pad (bunker-silo) and cover it with a thick plastic sheet. Wet ensiled whole corn-plants of less

than 35% dry matter intake usually shifts fermentation from good lactic acid bacteria to undesirable clostridia bacteria; producing large quantities of butyric acid from forage sugars and organic acids. Substantial butyric acid production in corn silage means huge forage dry matter losses and the pH of the silage may become too high (> pH 4.0) to preserve the silage. It also gives the silage an off-smell like rancid peanut butter. So, when substantial butyrate-containing silage is added a TMR and is fed to lactating dairy cows - dry matter intake and often milk production suffers. 2. Dry matter intake – Regardless of whether fresh or smelly bad corn silage is added to a daily lactation TMR – the timeless “moisture/dmi” rule still applies - “the wetter the corn silage/TMR” the less dry matter intake among dairy cows. For example, an early lactating dairy herd eats 90 lb of a dairy diet with a total moisture content of 50%, translates into a base consumption of 45 lbs of dry matter intake (DMI). Now, let’s assume that the moisture content of new bunk of corn silage making up 40% of this lactation diet is really 67% moisture rather than an untested estimated 60% moisture. Then, the actual diet is wetter than estimated by about 3% (52.8

Standing in front of the corn silage bunker, I get a good idea of the new crop corn silage quality. All it takes is a good handful. I look at its golden color, semi-coarse chop, sweet smell and grain content. Submitted photo

% moisture). The real DMI of the herd could drop by 2.5 lb and a potential loss of about 5 lb of milk per cow may result (re: 1 lb DMI = 2.0 – 2.5 lb milk produced, source: University of Illinois). 3. Corn silage digestibility – A 30-HR digestibility test of minimum 50 – 60% of NDF disappearance is the standard for good quality corn silage. In doing so, there are a lot of factors that come to play such as stage of cornfield maturity (more fibrous), length of plant chop (higher/more whole plant digestibility) and moisture content. As a young dairy nutritionist, I collected and sent away dozens of corn and barley silage samples to a commercial lab in Ottawa that tested such in-vitro forage digestibility. (Samples were literarily digested in rumen fluid-filled bell jars and rate of digestion was measured). The general conscience – when dry matter content of “wet” ensiled samples fell below 27% - 30-hour digestibility fell along with it. Rather, than draw a scientific conclu-

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sion (unbalanced propionic/acetic ratios and such), I took the more pragmatic approach and said the rumen microbes did not like what they ate! While there are many ways to test moisture content in wet forages, I prefer to use the Koster moisture-tester that has been around for years. The current selling price of one unit is about $600 when ordered on-line. Over the years, I have found that most people like to take pre-harvest whole-plant samples, and test them for moisture. Its value is to know – the proper moisture to ensile the corn crop in the first place. On the other end, I want to know the actual corn silage moisture that goes into the lactation TMR, and put in front of the dairy cows. I also believe that it is a good idea to periodically test more corn silage samples for moisture - coming out of the same bunker as well as its final TMR. In this way, we can make appropriate changes to their lactation diet, so cows can milk at their best.

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September 25, 2026

The AgriPost

The AgriPost

Ottawa invests $3.1 million in faster swine disease testing By Harry Siemens The federal government is investing up to $3.1 million to improve how Canada detects and tracks diseases affecting pigs. Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald announced the funding at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. The Canadian Pork Council will administer the project, with diagnostic and research work centred at the college. The exact federal contribution is up to $3,111,486 through the AgriAssurance Program’s National Industry Association Component. The project will develop, validate and upgrade multiplex testing technology. A multiplex test can screen a single sample for several viruses simultaneously, eliminating the need to run separate tests for each suspected disease. Elizabeth Dobbin, principal investigator and director of the Di-

Elizabeth Dobbin, principal investigator and director of the Diagnostic Services Laboratory at the Atlantic Veterinary College, explains how a new multiplex test will screen one sample for seven swine viruses, providing producers with faster and more affordable results.

agnostic Services Laboratory at the Atlantic Veterinary College, said the team is developing an assay capable of detecting seven viral targets at once. She said separate testing can cost approximately $60 per virus. Under the multiplex approach, the estimated cost is about $9 per target, while providing information on seven viruses in a single test. That combination could save producers money and deliver re-

Federal Agriculture and AgriFood Minister Heath MacDonald announces up to $3.1 million for the Canadian Pork Council to improve swine disease testing and surveillance across Canada.

sults more quickly. Earlier identification gives farmers and veterinarians a better opportunity to respond before illness spreads through a barn or between farms. The college will receive samples from farms across Atlantic Canada. Its diagnostic virology and research laboratories can run the new multiplex assay and compare the results with those from the individual testing laboratories currently in use. The funding will also support a targeted national proficiency program. Its purpose is to help veterinary laboratories across Canada use consistent testing methods and produce comparable results. A secure surveillance database will track swine viruses. Better coordination and timely sharing of reliable information could help producers, veterinarians, laboratories, industry organizations and governments recognize emerging disease patterns and respond more effectively. René Roy, chair of the Canadian Pork Council, said animal health cannot be managed in isolation. Early detection depends on sound science, prompt information sharing and coordinated action across the pork sector. Canada’s pork sector supports an estimated 100,000 direct and indirect jobs and generates more than $24 billion annually. MacDonald said animal disease threatens more than herd health. An outbreak can affect animal welfare, food production, jobs, farm families and access to

international markets. Canada exports pork and live pigs through highly integrated supply chains. MacDonald pointed to approximately two million Manitoba piglets shipped into Iowa each year as one example of why animal-health confidence matters to trade. Canada is also negotiating disease-zoning arrangements with trading partners. Zoning may allow pork exports from unaffected regions to continue even if a serious disease is detected elsewhere in the country. Canada recently completed an African swine fever zoning arrangement with Japan after several years of work. The new multiplex test is intended primarily for intestinal and respiratory viruses already affecting domestic herds. African swine fever requires a different level of testing and is not among the assay’s seven targets, Roy explained. Dobbin said the systems and expertise created through the project may eventually benefit other animal sectors, including cattle and aquatic species. For hog producers, however,

René Roy, chair of the Canadian Pork Council, says earlier disease detection will protect herd health, improve farm efficiency and strengthen Canada’s position in international pork markets. Submitted photos

the immediate goal is straightforward: make disease testing faster, more affordable and more consistent. A single sample capable of identifying multiple threats could provide farmers with useful answers sooner, strengthen national surveillance and help protect Canada’s reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality pork.

September 25, 2026

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September 25, 2026

The AgriPost

Value of straw in early gestation beef cow diets By Peter Vitti As the leaves fall from the trees, many people are baling straw in the wake of their combines. This year, straw might be on the tough side, because of heavy dew and the occasional rain-shower. Fortunately, there is no shortage of straw. Most of which will find its way into bedding or overwintering cattle feed. As a beef nutritionist, I am more interested in feeding lots of straw to early gestation beef cows, particularly during the first few winter months. Take your pick from the rows of golden barley and wheat bales; both have good feed value after they are put through the bale-chopper. Early to mid-gestation beef cows are the best opportunity to feed straw as a staple forage until the weather turns brutally cold. That’s because the nutrient requirements of post-weaning beef cows are at their low-point compared to the rest of the year (pre-calving, and nursing stages). A 500 kg brood cow can easily maintain optimum body condition of 2.5 – 3.0 (re: 1 – thin, 5 – obese) on a diet of 53 – 55% TDN, 9 – 10% protein, 0.25% calcium, 0.20% phosphorus and

a good compliment of essential trace mineral and vitamins. Again, barley and wheat straw can help meet a large part of these maintenance requirements. A typical nutrient profile of both - 44 – 48% TDN energy, a high fiber content of 75 – 85%, and 4 -6% protein. Their nutrient profile might pale in comparison to fair-quality grassy hay (52 – 58% TDN, 55 – 65% NDF-fibre, and 11 – 12% protein), but widespread availability and lower-cost makes cereal straw often attractive for feeding early gestation beef cows. Plus, straw works in early gestation diets as long as three of biggest feeding limitations are recognized: 1. A 500 kg brood cow can consume a maximum of 15 kg of straw. 2. Their rumen microbes can digest only about 65% of that amount fed during the day. 3. Feeding lots of straw requires lots of water intake – otherwise rumen impaction is a common issue. As a result, big pregnant beef cows with some fat-cover can handle about half of their dry matter intake from straw and the other half of their diet should be complimented with more

nutritious feeds. Some of which includes some ensiled forage. A friend of mine that owns 200 beef cows plans to do. After most of the spring calves are weaned and sold (some heifers are held back for replacements), he brings the cows home and puts them in a nearby pasture and feeds them a home-made TMR. Its forage base is a combination of corn silage and barley straw, complimented with grass hay, distillers’ grains and a mineral/vitamin premix with monensin. No grain will be fed until the weather turns colder. Plus, as the cows get closer to calving, my friend will decrease the amount of straw fed and add more digestible alfalfa-grass hay in order to meet higher pre-calving energy and protein requirements. For less than $2.00 per day, this diet takes care of the current nutrient requirements of early to mid-gestation cows until my friend will start adding grain (more dietary energy) as

frigid winter weather eventually sets in. Note: In a similar way - I use a timeless rule of thumb as follows: for every 1 C drop in temperature below 0 C, the beef cows’ TDN energy maintenance requirements are increased by about 2%. This means that if daily windchill temperature is -10 C, there is an increase of about 20% in the cows’ basic dietary energy needs and thus, I add an extra 2 – 3 lbs of grain to this gestation diet. Years ago, I used to get a handful of phone calls at the end of December from panicky beef producers. They fed their gestating cows up to this point - only straw or the poorest slew-grass and the cheapest mineral pack. They now wanted a new diet that got their cowherd ready for calving in two months. After my initial mild shock – I recommend the same timeless story that should apply to all beef producers. Put them on a higher plane of nutrition – and straw might be still part of their cowherd diet.

Early to mid-gestation beef cows are the best opportunity to feed straw as a staple forage until the weather Submitted by Peter Vitti turns brutally cold.

Here is his early gestation cow diet.

The AgriPost

I received this borscht recipe from a Manitoba Hydro home economist years ago. It’s cold and rainy here in Manitoba today, so I figured it was time to get the ingredients together to make the following soup tomorrow. Rod’s Favourite Borscht Ingredients: 1 lb. beef short ribs 8 cups water ¼ cup pot barley 2 cups shredded cabbage 1 small onion, chopped 2 carrots, thinly sliced 2 stalks celery, chopped 2 teaspoons salt 1 large potato, peeled and cubed 2 beets, shredded 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley ½ teaspoon dried dill 1 can (10 oz.) tomato soup ¼ cup ketchup

Borscht full of vegetables fresh from the garden.

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Hearty soups and apple desserts

Place short ribs in a large saucepan. Add water to cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Drain ribs and rinse well. Wash saucepan, if necessary. Return ribs to the saucepan and add eight cups of water and pot barley. Bring to a boil over high heat, then lower heat and simmer for 1½ hours. Remove short ribs and reserve. Add cabbage, onion, carrots, celery and salt. Simmer for 15 minutes. Add potato, beets, parsley and dill. Simmer for another 15 minutes. Meanwhile, trim fat and bones from the reserved short ribs and cut the meat into cubes. Add meat, tomato soup and ketchup to the borscht. Mix well and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream on each serving. Yield: 6 to 8 servings. With an abundance of apples this year, I have been freezing apple pies for next winter. I decided today it was time to make an Apple Fritter Cake.

Photo by Joan Airey

September 25, 2026

Apple Fritter Cake For the Filling: 1 heaping cup sliced apples (cored, quartered and then sliced) ⅓ cup sugar ¼ teaspoon cinnamon Small pinch freshly grated nutmeg 2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 teaspoons water ½ cup brown sugar ½ teaspoon cinnamon For the Cake: ⅓ cup butter ¾ cup sugar ½ cup applesauce 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 eggs 2¼ cups flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 cup Greek yogurt (plain yogurt or sour cream can also be used) For the Glaze: 2 cups icing sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 6 tablespoons milk

Apple Fritter Cake.

Photo by Joan Airey

Filling: Make the filling by combining apples, sugar, water, cinnamon and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce has thickened and the apples are slightly soft. Set aside to cool. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together until well combined. Set aside. Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and set aside. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about three minutes. Add applesauce and vanilla and mix until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift the dry ingredients together. Add the dry ingredients to the batter in three parts, alternating with the yogurt in two parts, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Beat until just combined. Spoon half of the batter into the prepared pan. Spoon the cooled apple mixture over the batter, carefully spreading it as evenly as possible. Sprinkle two-thirds of the brown sugar-cinnamon mixture over the apples and cover with the remaining batter. Sprinkle the remaining brown sugar-cinnamon mixture over the top. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Glaze: While the cake is baking, make the glaze. In a bowl, mix the icing sugar, vanilla and milk until the glaze reaches the desired consistency. When the cake comes out of the oven, immediately but carefully pour the glaze over the hot cake. Try to pour it as evenly as possible. I left the ingredient quantities and recipe methods unchanged, aside from minor grammatical and formatting adjustments.

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September 25, 2026

The AgriPost

A.I. brings efficiency and new questions to food system

By Harry Siemens Artificial intelligence is becoming part of food production and shopping, but the technology also raises questions about trust, fairness and who controls agricultural data. Jo-Ann McArthur, president and founding partner of Nourish Food Marketing, discussed those opportunities and concerns on the “Food, AI, and Transparency” episode of Manitoba Pork’s Chop Talk podcast. McArthur describes AI in practical terms. Machines recognize patterns in data and use them to make predictions or decisions. Farmers have used AI components for years through precision agriculture, tractors and barn equipment. McArthur cautions that AI predictions depend on previous data. That makes the technology less reliable when an unprecedented event changes the conditions behind the forecast. In livestock production, automated systems can monitor feed bins and help producers manage inventories. BinSentry, for example, uses sensors and machine vision to measure feed levels, reducing the need for producers to climb bins and check them manually. AI also helps processors improve cutting precision, use more of an animal and reduce waste. Across the supply chain, it can optimize transportation routes and monitor temperatures as food moves from farms to processors and retailers. Consumers encounter the technology through online searches, digital shelf labels and shopping assistants. Electronic labels allow retailers to update prices across many stores quickly. McArthur distinguishes that efficiency from personalized or timebased dynamic pricing, which

Jo-Ann McArthur, president and founding partner of Nourish Food Marketing, says improving farm profitability and reducing financial pressure can also help address the personal and emotional strain facing farmers and farm families. Submitted photo

could leave shoppers feeling that prices are unfair. She says retailers must balance testing and innovation with consumer confidence. Time-saving technology will lose value if customers believe it is being used against them. AI is also becoming a personal meal-planning assistant. Consumers can describe the ingredients they have, their dietary restrictions, the number of people they are feeding and the time available. An AI tool can then suggest a meal, create a shopping list and, in some systems, order the missing groceries. Walmart’s AI shopping assistant, Sparky, illustrates the direction retailers are taking. Such tools are designed to keep consumers within a single company’s shopping system by making planning and ordering easier. Despite the growth in online ordering, McArthur does not expect physical grocery stores to disappear. Shoppers still value seeing food and interacting with people. She points to retailers that retain staffed checkouts or provide slower lanes for custom-

ers who welcome conversation. Trust is equally important in food marketing. McArthur says consumers increasingly respond to photographs and videos that feel natural rather than perfectly produced. Farmers can build connections by showing ordinary work, including muddy boots and daily animal care, without exposing every part of their operations. AI-generated food images can have the opposite effect. If a meal looks artificial or unrealistically perfect, consumers may question the product and the business presenting it. Farmers also face data ownership issues. Modern equipment collects large volumes of information that may be transferred to technology companies, analyzed and incorporated into products sold back to producers. McArthur says data sovereignty and the right to repair technologically advanced equipment will remain important agricultural issues. Efficiency matters, but farmers must understand what information their machinery collects, where it goes and who benefits from it.

Crown land changes arrive as Canadian cattle herd begins rebuilding By Harry Siemens Manitoba livestock producers could receive another year of frozen Agricultural Crown Lands rental rates while gaining a new application-based system for securing forage leases under regulatory changes proposed by the provincial government. The proposals arrive as Canada’s cattle herd shows its strongest annual growth in more than two decades, underscoring the importance of affordable access to grazing land. Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced Aug. 26 that the province intends to extend the freeze on forage-lease rents through the 2027 growing season. The rate would remain at $3.66 per animal-unit-month. The government is also seeking public feedback on broader changes to the Agricultural Crown Lands Leases and Permits Regulation. The proposals follow a program review conducted in fall 2025 involving producers, Indigenous governments and organizations, industry partners and the public. One change would replace the auction system for awarding leases with an application-based process. The province says the approach would improve access for new and emerging producers who can struggle to compete for available land. Another proposal would restore a monthly limit on the number of animal units in the total Crown land held by a single leaseholder. The stated objective is to prevent a few large leaseholders from controlling too much available land and to create opportunities for more producers. The government also proposes allowing modern leases to be renewed for an additional 15-year term once requirements related to Treaty Land Entitlement and the Duty to Consult have been met. Longer renewal periods could give cattle producers greater certainty when planning grazing systems, fencing, water development and other long-term improvements. Comments on the regulatory proposals will be accepted through Manitoba’s Regulatory Consultation Portal until Oct. 2, 2026. The debate over Crown land access comes as Statistics Canada reports signs of expansion in the national cattle herd. Canadian producers held 12.1 million

Manitoba cattle graze on pasture as proposed Agricultural Crown Lands changes aim to keep leases affordable, improve access for new producers and provide greater long-term certainty. Photo by Harry Siemens

cattle and calves on July 1, 2026, an increase of 3.2 per cent from one year earlier. It was the largest year-overyear increase recorded since 2004. The figures indicate producers retained more breeding animals. Beef heifers held for breeding increased 5 per cent, while the beef cow herd grew 1 per cent. Producers also held 3.8 per cent more feeder heifers and 3 per cent more steers. The number of calves rose 4 per cent to 3.9 million head. Dairy heifers held for breeding increased 1 per cent, bulls rose 1 per cent, and dairy cows were unchanged. Those numbers suggest producers are beginning to rebuild after years of contraction, but herd growth depends on access to land, forage, water and capital. Affordable Crown leases can be especially important for young producers and operations that lack sufficient privately owned pasture. Freezing rents provides immediate cost certainty. The proposed allocation limits and application system could determine who gains access over the longer term. For Manitoba’s cattle sector, the central issue will be whether the final regulations balance fairness, new-producer access, Indigenous obligations and the security established leaseholders need to invest confidently in the land. That makes producer participation before the October deadline important. These changes will influence not only what Crown pasture costs, but who can use it and whether Manitoba can share in rebuilding Canada’s cattle herd.

The AgriPost

September 25, 2026

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September 25, 2026

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