Agripost August 28 2026

The AgriPost

August 28, 2026

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Studies Support Year-Round Shipping Through Churchill By Harry Siemens The governments of Canada and Manitoba, alongside the Arctic Gateway Group, are welcoming new research confirming the feasibility of year-round shipping from the Port of Churchill using existing ice-class vessels. The studies also indicate that changing sea-ice conditions are expected to make marine access increasingly favourable over the coming decades. Premier Wab Kinew and federal Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand, minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, announced the findings today. The findings come from studies by the University of Manitoba and Fednav Limited, along with preliminary work by the Arctic Research Foundation. Researchers examined sea-

New research indicates that existing ice-class vessels could support year-round shipping through the Port of Churchill, strengthening the technical case for developing the northern Manitoba port as a reliable international trade gateway. Harry Siemens file photo

ice conditions, vessel capabilities and the broader shipping corridor through Hudson Bay and Hudson Strait. Their work indicates that modern ice-capable ships could navigate the route throughout the year using existing technology and

Arctic operating experience. Kinew said the findings move the discussion from whether year-round shipping is possible to what investments are necessary to make it operational. “This breakthrough means

we can stop asking if yearround shipping from Churchill is possible and start building the infrastructure and attracting the investment we need to get it done,” he said. The province views Churchill as a way to develop new

international trading relationships and reduce Canada’s dependence on the United States. For Prairie agriculture, an expanded shipping season could provide another route for moving grain and other commodities to overseas markets. However, technical navigation capability does not by itself establish a commercially viable year-round transportation corridor. The port, railway and supporting infrastructure would require sufficient capacity and reliability. Shippers would also need competitive costs, dependable schedules and adequate freight volumes. Chartrand said the studies will improve understanding of the infrastructure, operational, technical and economic considerations involved in developing the port and corridor. The University of Manitoba study found that Churchill’s navigable shipping season has lengthened significantly over

recent decades. Researchers project that changing seaice conditions will continue expanding marine access through Hudson Bay and Hudson Strait during this century. Fednav examined 10 years of Canadian ice charts, satellite imagery and regulatory requirements. Its analysis found that existing ice-class vessel designs could support yearround navigation without icebreaker assistance. Preliminary findings from the Arctic Research Foundation identified opportunities involving northern resupply, resource exports, Indigenous economic participation, supply chains and Canadian Arctic sovereignty. Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said reliable transportation networks help connect northern communities while supporting trade and economic growth. Continued on page 3...

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August 28, 2026

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Dennis Lange Remembered as a Trusted Friend to Manitoba Farmers

By Harry Siemens Manitoba agriculture lost a trusted friend and exceptional crop specialist when Dennis Lange passed away suddenly at his home near Emerson on July 8, 2026. Lange, provincial pulse and soybean specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, spent much of his life helping farmers understand what was happening in their fields. He brought extensive agronomic experience to every conversation, but farmers valued him equally for his accessibility, patience and practical approach. His career included work with Parent Seeds at St. Joseph before he joined Manitoba Agriculture. Although pulses and soybeans became his specialty, his knowledge extended across crops and production challenges. Whether speaking at a producer meeting, farm exhibition, field tour or Manitoba Agriculture CropTalk webinar, Lange had a gift for turning complicated agronomy into useful advice. I had the privilege of interviewing Dennis many times, beginning during his years at Parent Seeds. He never needed to be cornered for an answer. He willingly shared what he knew wherever farmers gathered, always focusing on the specific prob-

Dennis Lange prepares materials at an agricultural field event, one of the many occasions where he shared crop information directly with farmers and agronomists.

lem in front of them. One of his final CropTalk appearances followed destructive June storms that brought heavy rainfall, hail and strong winds across Manitoba. During the special June 17 webinar, Lange said soybean survival would depend largely on how long water remained on fields and whether the plants’ growing points survived. He showed fields that received more than two inches of rain in one event but recovered surprisingly well after the water drained. “If the water comes off in a couple of days, those beans typically will survive if they’re up and out of the ground,” he said. He warned that soybeans submerged for three

or four days faced much greater losses. Before making reseeding decisions, he encouraged growers to conduct stand counts. Populations of 140,000 to 160,000 plants per acre remained ideal, but stands near 100,000 could still produce acceptable yields when growers maintained strong weed control. Lange also explained that soybeans can recover from early hail damage when their growing points remain alive. Peas damaged before flowering can often regrow from lower nodes. His advice reflected a career spent looking beyond damaged leaves to determine what a plant could still do. On July 2, Lange again addressed severe weather. He reported that some Manitoba areas had received more than 50 millimetres of rain in slightly more than a day, with rainfall varying dramatically across the province. He said growers would not know the full impact until water receded and crops had time to respond. Excess moisture was already producing uneven growth, nutrient stress and standing water in low areas. Near Stonewall, precipitation had reached almost 250 per cent of the seasonal norm, while portions of northwestern Manitoba exceeded 150 per cent. Even while describing serious damage, Dennis offered farmers perspective, facts and a way forward. Dennis Lange was the person farmers called when something in the field didn’t make sense. He combined deep agronomic knowledge with humility, generosity and a genuine passion for helping others. More than an expert, he was a trusted friend to Manitoba agriculture, and his influence will continue through the growers, agronomists and students he inspired. His passing leaves a painful absence in Manitoba’s agricultural community. Dennis Lange’s legacy lives in healthier crops, better-informed decisions and countless conversations with farmers who knew they could depend on him for honest guidance.

Dennis Lange, left, discusses soybean performance during a field tour, sharing the practical agronomic knowledge that made him a trusted resource for Manitoba farmers. Photos by Harry Siemens

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August 28, 2026

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Canadian agriculture minister highlights Canada-U.S. trade during Iowa State Fair visit Canada’s agriculture minister used a visit to the Iowa State Fair in mid-August to reinforce the importance of the country’s deeply integrated agricultural relationship with the United States. Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, joined Canada’s Ambassador to the United States Mark Wiseman at the fair, where they met with government officials, farmers and agriculture industry leaders. The Iowa State Fair brings together stakeholders from across the agricultural sector to celebrate the industry while showcasing innovation and tradition. During the visit, MacDonald emphasized Canada’s role as a reliable trading partner and the importance of maintaining strong Canada-U.S. agricultural ties. “Our farmers work hard to feed their communities and people around the world,” MacDonald said. “I’ve seen firsthand just how strong our partnership with the United States truly is and it’s vitally important that we continue working together—as nations and as close friends.” MacDonald met with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds to discuss the longstanding relationship between Canada and the state. He also attended the Governor’s Charity Steer Show. At the fairgrounds, MacDonald met with Glenn (G.T.) Thompson, chairman of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, and Brent Johnson, president of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. Discussions focused on shared priorities and support for farmers on both sides of the border.

At the fairgrounds, MacDonald met with Glenn (G.T.) Thompson, chairman of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, and Brent Johnson, president of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. Discussions focused on shared priorities and support for farmers on both sides of the border. Submitted photos

The minister also met with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig to discuss areas of mutual interest and the highly integrated agricultural relationship between Iowa and Canada. MacDonald and Naig participated in the Celebrity Pork Grilling Event during the fair. The visit also included two roundtable discussions involving agriculture and manufacturing stakeholders. Those discussions highlighted Canada’s role in U.S. supply chains, including as a source of high-quality and competitively priced agricultural products and inputs. Canada and the United States maintain one of the world’s largest bilateral agricultural

Year-Round Shipping Through Churchill

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He said the research contributes to continuing discussions about northern transportation infrastructure. Arctic Gateway Group board chair Mike Spence pointed to the range of commodities moving through Churchill this season. Grain has returned alongside shipments of zinc, potash and northern supplies, creating what he described as the port’s most diversified shipping season. Spence said further development would require investment in port facilities and a modernized, industrial-weight Hudson Bay Railway with stronger connections to Canada’s

major rail network. Churchill is not the only northern port operating in icy waters. Norway, Finland, Sweden and Russia maintain commercial ports at comparable or higher latitudes, demonstrating that northern shipping can work where appropriate vessels and infrastructure are available. The studies strengthen the technical case for extending Churchill’s shipping season. The next question is whether governments and industry can assemble the investment, freight volumes and infrastructure needed to turn that capability into a reliable commercial corridor.

trading relationships, generating jobs and economic opportunities in both countries. In 2025, trade in agriculture, agri-food and seafood between the two countries was valued at $101.2 billion. Iowa is also an important market for Canadian agriculture. Canada is Iowa’s second-largest agriculture and agri-food export market, with bilateral agriculture, agri-food and seafood trade between Canada and Iowa reaching $3 billion CAD in 2025. The figures underscore the degree to which farmers, processors, manufacturers and consumers in both countries rely on cross-border trade.

MacDonald’s visit comes as Canadian and U.S. agriculture leaders continue to emphasize the importance of predictable market access and cooperation between the two countries. The minister said the discussions in Iowa reinforced the complementary nature of the two agricultural economies and the value created by their close relationship. For Canadian producers and agri-food businesses, maintaining that relationship remains important not only for exports but also for access to U.S. agricultural inputs and integrated supply chains.

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The AgriPost

August 28, 2026

An Average Crop Has a Lot Behind It

As harvest gets underway across Manitoba, I keep coming back to one thought: getting an average crop in the bin this year may be quite an accomplishment. It hasn’t been a straightforward growing season. We started with moisture problems in some areas, including excessive rainfall and saturated fields. Other areas missed those rains. Then came periods of heat that pushed crops ahead quickly, followed by dry conditions that left some fields needing another drink at exactly the wrong time. That is farming in Manitoba. Drive 20 or 30 miles, and you can

find an entirely different crop. The heat has been both friend and enemy. It helped crops catch up after earlier delays, and Manitoba accumulated above-normal heat units through much of the growing season. But heat also increased water demand, and when the rain shut off, topsoil moisture disappeared quickly. Then there are the bugs. Insects are part of every growing season, but they add another layer of uncertainty when crops are already under weather stress. Farmers have had to keep scouting and deciding whether a problem justified another trip across the field and another expense. Disease has also been a concern, particularly following the wetter conditions earlier in the season. Farmers who had the opportunity invested in fungicides to protect crop potential. With today’s tight

margins, none of those applications come cheaply. That is something we sometimes forget when we look across a field and say, “That’s a pretty good crop.” A lot of money and management stand in that field. Now the focus turns to harvest. Harvest comes later than many farmers would like, and plenty of crop is still standing. At this stage, producers need some cooperation from Mother Nature: warm days, lower humidity, drying winds and enough time between rain events to keep combines moving. The encouraging part is that despite everything this growing season has thrown at Manitoba farmers, the overall crop still appears to have held together reasonably well. It will not be a bumper crop everywhere. Some farmers will have excellent yields. Others have fields

hurt by excess moisture, heat, dryness, insects or disease. Quality will also become clearer only when more combines roll and grain starts moving into the bins and elevators. But from what I see and hear, Manitoba could still come through with something close to an average crop overall. And I don’t say “average” negatively. After more than five decades of covering agriculture, I have learned that an average crop can be a pretty good crop when you consider what it took to grow it. Farmers cannot control the rain, heat, insects or disease. They can only make the best decisions possible with the information they have at the time. Now they need harvest weather. The crop has made it this far. The next job is getting it safely into the bin.

Geopolitical Tensions Add Strength and Uncertainty to Crop Markets

By Harry Siemens Geopolitical turmoil, limited buyer coverage and tightening crop supplies are supporting Prairie grain and oilseed producers while increasing the need for disciplined marketing. Jonathon Driedger, vice-president of LeftField Commodity Research, said the wars involving Ukraine and Iran remain major wild cards for agricultural markets. Both conflicts appear unlikely to end quickly, providing underlying support for commodity prices, all else being equal. Still, geopolitical markets can change direction quickly as traders react to political announcements, military developments and disruptions in global trade. Driedger is also watching whether demand

Jonathon Driedger, vice-president of LeftField Commodity Research, sees upside potential in most crop markets but encourages farmers to protect profitable prices amid geopolitical uncertainty. Photo courtesy of LeftField Commodity Research.

weakens as crop prices rise. “I have one eye on whether demand starts to show cracks as prices move up,” he said, noting that the response will vary by crop.

Another consideration as the growing season advances is how much coverage end users hold. In certain crops, particularly pulses, buyers may not have secured enough supplies to carry them comfortably into harvest. If processors or exporters must compete for remaining farm inventories, that could create opportunities. Even so, farmer selling decisions will help determine how much pressure develops. Another question is whether producers will take advantage of comparatively high canola prices while holding more tightly to pulses and other crops. Driedger remains positive about the canola outlook, but he recognizes that attractive prices may encourage additional move-

ment from farms. LeftField sees upside potential across most crop markets. Even so, Driedger said farmers have legitimate reasons to make sales. Farms require cash flow, and producers who have watched prices climb do not want to become complacent and surrender profitable opportunities if markets suddenly reverse. He said the present environment may be particularly suitable for put options. A put option can establish protection against a price decline while allowing a producer to benefit if the market continues moving higher. That flexibility can be valuable when market fundamentals appear constructive. Still, headline-driven volatility makes the eventual price

direction difficult to predict. The strategy is not about calling the exact market top. Instead, it gives farmers a way to protect an attractive price level without closing the door on further gains. With international conflicts unresolved, potential gaps in buyer coverage and differing supply-and-demand conditions across crops, Driedger’s message is clear: stay optimistic without abandoning risk management. Current strength may offer additional upside, but protecting profitable levels can prevent a sudden market reversal from turning opportunity into regret.

The AgriPost

August 28, 2026

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Walking Away From Washington Carries a Price for Canadian Agriculture

There are moments in trade negotiations when standing firm is necessary. There are also moments when farmers have every right to ask who will pay the bill for doing so. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s decision recently to suspend trade negotiations with the United States marks one of the most consequential turns yet in Canada’s increasingly difficult relationship with its largest trading partner. Carney said Canada was “walking away from a bad deal” after what he described as last-minute U.S. demands that were unfair and uneconomic. Ottawa has now recalled its negotiating team and says it will respond with dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs. The decision came after the United States imposed new 50 per cent tariffs on roughly $28 billion worth of Canadian goods. The new measures took effect August 22 and cover a range of products, although important Canadian exports such as energy and potash are excluded. For agriculture, however, the story is considerably more complicated than a simple tariff-versus-tariff battle. The short-term concern Canadian farmers do not sell commodities according to political

calendars. They sell wheat, canola, barley, oats, cattle, hogs, poultry and other products into markets that can change in a matter of hours. For grain producers, the immediate danger is uncertainty. The new U.S. tariffs do not appear to directly target the major Prairie grain commodities to the same degree as some other Canadian exports. Potash, for example, has been excluded from the latest U.S. tariff action. That is good news for fertilizer markets, particularly in Western Canada, where potash is a major input and export industry. But farmers should not assume they are insulated. Grain markets are interconnected. If U.S. buyers become more cautious about Canadian agricultural products, or if trade restrictions alter where North American grain flows, basis levels, futures markets, transportation demand and currency values can all react. And agriculture does not operate in isolation. Machinery, steel, parts, fertilizer products, chemicals, fuel-related inputs and other farm necessities cross the border in both directions. Ottawa itself acknowledges that its retaliatory tariffs will include agricultural equipment. That means farmers could face higher equipment and input costs just as they are trying to protect already-tight margins. Livestock could feel the squeeze Beef producers have another reason to pay close attention. Canada and the United States have highly integrated cattle and beef industries. Cattle, beef, feed, genetics and processing move back and forth across the border. A disruption does

not have to completely close the border to cause problems. Even added paperwork, tariffs or uncertainty can affect bids and margins. The same applies to pork and poultry, although the specific tariff exposure varies by product. If Canadian meat becomes more expensive for U.S. buyers, exporters will have to absorb some of the cost, pass it backward through the supply chain, or find another market. That could eventually mean lower prices received by producers. Dairy is different but not immune Dairy sits at the centre of this dispute because U.S. negotiators have repeatedly targeted Canada’s supply-management system. The U.S. administration has specifically criticized Canada’s dairy tariff-rate quota system and imposed a 50 per cent tariff on certain Canadian dairy products. Carney said Canada was prepared to take administrative measures to protect supply management without changing the system itself, the existing quotas or applicable tariffs. That distinction matters. For Canadian dairy farmers, preserving supply management provides stability. But it also means the industry remains a bargaining chip in the broader Canada-U.S. relationship. What about the long term? This is where the government’s strategy becomes more interesting. Carney says Canada can no longer depend on the assumption that the United States will always be a predictable trading partner. His government is promising to diversify Canadian exports, accelerate major infrastructure projects and remove

internal trade barriers between provinces. Ottawa says Canada already has preferential access to 1.5 billion consumers through existing free trade agreements and intends to double that market access by the end of this year. That is the right direction. But farmers know the difference between announcing a market and actually selling into it. A new customer in Asia, Europe, the Middle East or elsewhere does not automatically replace a mature U.S. market. Grain needs railways, ports, terminals and buyers. Beef needs processing capacity and dependable logistics. Poultry and dairy face their own regulatory and quota restrictions. Building those alternatives will take years. Can Ottawa cushion the blow? The federal government says it can. Carney announced that additional measures will be introduced to support workers and businesses affected by the tariffs, building on nearly $25 billion in support already provided during the trade dispute. The prime minister also met with provincial premiers immediately to discuss counter-tariffs, support measures, export diversification and removing internal trade barriers. That support will matter. But governments cannot compensate farmers indefinitely for lost markets. Programs such as AgriStability can help producers survive a bad year, but they cannot replace a functioning marketplace. Nor should taxpayers be expected to permanently subsidize the consequences of a broken trading relationship.

The better long-term answer is diversification combined with stronger domestic infrastructure. Farmers need more than political resolve There is a legitimate argument for refusing an agreement that Ottawa believes would compromise Canada’s sovereignty or leave Canadian industries permanently disadvantaged. Carney says Canada was asked to give too much and receive too little. That may prove to be the right decision. But agriculture will judge the decision by results, not speeches. If Ottawa can use this crisis to open new markets, improve rail and port infrastructure, reduce internal trade barriers, protect farm cash flow and lower the cost of doing business, Canadian agriculture could eventually emerge stronger. If diversification becomes another government slogan while farmers lose access to dependable markets and face higher equipment and input costs, the pain will fall directly on the farm gate. For now, farmers need to be realistic. The United States remains Canada’s biggest agricultural trading partner, and walking away from negotiations does not make that relationship disappear. Canada may have decided it will no longer accept Washington’s terms. Fair enough. But now Ottawa has to prove that it has a workable alternative because Canadian farmers cannot plant, raise cattle or harvest crops on political promises. They need customers, competitive inputs and a reliable market. And they need them for the next crop, not just the next election.

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August 28, 2026

The AgriPost

Grain industry campaign calls for pro-active action to keep Canadian exports moving By Dan Guetre Canada’s grain industry is calling for changes to the federal labour relations framework, warning that repeated rail and port disruptions are costing farmers and exporters hundreds of millions of dollars and threatening the country’s reputation as a reliable global supplier. The pro-active campaign, titled “Too Much on the Line — Keep Rail on Track,” is supported by more than a dozen commodity organizations, including Keystone Agriculture Producers. The groups are urging the federal government to develop measures that would keep Canada’s trade-enabling supply chains operating during labour disputes. Canada relies heavily on rail to move agricultural products to ports and export markets. About 94 per cent of Canadian grain moves by rail, while more than 70 per cent of total grain production is exported. According to new economic analysis cited by the campaign, a one-week shutdown of rail and port operations during peak export season could cost the Canadian grain sector nearly $540 million in lost earnings. A one-week shutdown involving both major Canadian railways could result in more than $507 million in losses, the analysis found. The impact can also begin before a strike or lockout takes place. Grain movement can slow when the possibility of a disruption emerges, potentially resulting in as much as $112 million in lost sales before a work stoppage even begins. The campaign argues that lost export sales account for more than 90 per cent of the economic damage caused by transportation disruptions, with missed sales often difficult or impossible to recover. Calls for changes to labour framework With the federal government consulting on Canada’s labour relations framework, the agricultural organizations are calling for measures to reduce the risk of supply chain shutdowns. One recommendation is the appointment of a special mediator to oversee the collective bargaining process, manage timelines and ensure negotiations are progressing in good faith. The groups are also calling for changes to the Canada Labour Code that would give the federal labour minister authority to consider the potential economic harm of a dispute and refer parties to binding arbitration when collective bargaining fails to produce an agreement. The campaign argues that these measures would help resolve disputes before they interrupt the movement of grain. Repeated disruptions could have consequences beyond immediate financial losses, the groups warn. International buyers may begin looking to competing countries if Canada is perceived as an unreliable supplier. That could ultimately affect farmers, export-

ers, rural communities and the broader Canadian economy. Producers urged to contact MPs The organizations are encouraging farmers to contact their Members of Parliament while federal consultations are underway. The campaign emphasizes that its goal is to address the vulnerability of the grain supply chain before another disruption occurs, rather than waiting for a strike or lockout to expose the problem. “Canada’s grain supply chain is too important to leave vulnerable to repeated shutdowns,” the campaign states. The groups are calling on government, industry and labour to work together on solutions that support good-faith bargaining while ensuring that Canada’s grain continues moving to customers around the world. The groups encourage producers to visit www.keepgrainmoving.ca for more information.

The AgriPost

August 28, 2026

Manitoba Harvest Prospects Vary After Season of Weather Extremes By Harry Siemens Manitoba farmers and agronomists are preparing for a highly variable harvest, with crop prospects ranging from below average to very strong after a season shaped by excess moisture, heat and uneven rainfall. Across the province, the approaching harvest is revealing how sharply conditions differed, sometimes between neighbouring farms and often from one end of a field to the other. Near Morden, farmer Charlie Westfall expects lower yields after receiving no rain in July. At Randolph, Korey Peters, a third-generation farmer at Herbsigwil Farms and a Manitoba Crop Alliance sunflower crop committee member, described crops as good rather than great. Some fields will stand out, he said, but prolonged heat reduced overall potential. His wheat remained slightly wet, although he hoped to begin combining and settle into harvest later in the week. Near Roblin, farmer Deven Bailey said crops that survived are performing extremely well. However, drowned-out areas will pull down field averages, leaving the overall result closer to acceptable than exceptional. Neepawa-area grain and cattle producer Paul Robertson said his crops look as good

as or better than last year. Fields remain soft, with occasional wet areas, and he wants no additional moisture until wheat and canola are safely stored. Robertson expected preharvest applications to begin the following week, putting his harvest start near average or slightly later than normal. Walter Smith, a sixth-generation farmer, seed grower and operator of Smith Family Seeds at Pilot Mound, offered a straightforward assessment: “Not the best crop, but not the worst.” In the Altona area, farmer Eldon Klippenstein expected harvest to begin later in the week. Although he would welcome rain, he remained grateful for what was in the field and estimated average crop potential. Agronomists are now concentrating on harvest timing and managing the variability within fields. Jason Voogt, owner and agronomist with Field2Field Agronomy Inc. at Carman, is checking canola for swathing and desiccation timing. He reported an unexpected increase in lygus bugs in very late-seeded canola and urged growers to scout those fields. Voogt also recommended considering preharvest treatment in canola fields where drowned-out patches allowed weeds to

flourish. For oats, he advised swathing only the acreage that growers can combine within several days. Brunel Sabourin, owner and lead agronomist with Antara Agronomy Services Ltd. at St. Jean Baptiste, said uneven canola maturity is complicating harvest decisions. Uneven emergence, excess-water stress, insects and disease have left growers waiting for the final 10 to 20 per cent of plants to change before applying preharvest weed control or swathing. Many canola fields also have suboptimal weed control following herbicide applications made under cool conditions. Sabourin said cereal harvest has begun with decent yields but lighter test weights. Despite abundant early-season rainfall, some crops ran short of moisture during grain filling. Soil probes showed plants did not root as deeply as last year, and drought stress became visible late in the season. He urged farmers to control weeds in ditches and crop-free areas before they set seed. Sabourin’s leading harvest-preparation recommendation is to take detailed notes and collect reliable data. Growers should produce accurate yield maps, ensure graincart scales work and record the causes of field variability, including excess water,

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Walter Smith harvests near Pilot Mound, Man., where he describes this year’s crop as “not the best crop, but not the worst.” Photo courtesy of Walter Smith

drought, weeds and emergence problems. Failing to capture that information, he said, is a missed opportunity that can cost farmers money.

Manitoba Ag Days launches 50th Anniversary Cover Photo Contest Manitoba Ag Days is inviting photographers from across the Prairie provinces to help showcase 50 years of agricultural innovation and tradition through its 2027 Show Guide Cover Photo Contest. The contest is open to photographers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, with the winning photograph selected for the cover of the official 2027 Manitoba Ag Days Show Guide. The theme of the 50th anniversary show is “Fifty Years of Innovation and Tradition.” Organizers are looking for images that capture the people, equipment, livestock, landscapes, traditions and innovations that have shaped Prairie agriculture over the past five decades. Photographers are encouraged to interpret the theme creatively, with submissions expected to be authentic, visually compelling and representative of Prairie agriculture. “We want this photograph to tell a story

about Prairie agriculture,” said Kristen Phillips, general manager of Manitoba Ag Days. “Our 50th anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate where agriculture has come from while looking toward where innovation will take us next. We’re excited to see how photographers interpret that story through their own lens.” Contest requirements Photographs must be taken within Manitoba, Saskatchewan or Alberta and submitted in vertical (portrait) orientation. Digital submissions must be provided as an uncompressed TIFF or maximum-quality JPEG and should be approximately 2,700 pixels wide by 3,600 pixels tall, equivalent to a 9-by12-inch image at 300 dpi. Images that do not meet the orientation, file format or resolution requirements will be disqualified. Photographers must submit their own work

and may enter a maximum of three photographs, with each person eligible to receive no more than one prize. If identifiable people appear in a submitted photograph, the photographer must obtain permission from everyone pictured before entering the contest. The submission deadline is Friday, October 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Entries should be submitted by email to design@agdays.com using a Google Drive, Dropbox or similar file-sharing link. The email must include the photographer’s first and last name, telephone number and the location where the photograph was taken. Prizes recognize Prairie photography The first-place winner will have their photograph featured on the front cover of the 2027 Manitoba Ag Days Show Guide, in both print and digital editions, with photographer

credit. The winner will also receive two complimentary show admission tickets, official 50th anniversary merchandise and recognition through Manitoba Ag Days’ social media channels. Second place will receive two complimentary show admission tickets and social media recognition, while an honourable mention will also receive recognition through the organization’s social media channels. The winning image will be seen by thousands of farmers, exhibitors, industry representatives and visitors attending Manitoba Ag Days. The 50th anniversary Manitoba Ag Days will take place January 19-21, 2027, at the Keystone Centre in Brandon. Complete contest rules, eligibility requirements and submission information are available at agdays.com.

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August 28, 2026

Standard hand signals can improve communication and safety on the farm Farm work often comes with plenty of noise, distance and moving equipment, making clear communication a critical part of staying safe. When workers are hitching implements, moving livestock or navigating an oversized load, verbal communication may not always be practical. Machinery can be loud enough to drown out voices, while hearing protection and the distance between workers can make it difficult or impossible to hear instructions. Standardized hand signals can provide a simple solution. Adopted by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers for agricultural safety, standard hand signals give workers a common way to communicate when verbal instructions aren’t reliable. Using the same signals across a farm can help reduce the risk of misunderstandings and

injuries. A simple safety tool Hand signals can quickly communicate directions without relying on someone being able to hear a voice over machinery. They can be particularly useful when workers are: - Hitching or unhitching farm implements - Directing machinery or vehicles - Moving livestock - Working around large equipment - Navigating oversized loads - Operating in areas where hearing protection is required Beyond improving communication, consistent use of hand signals can reduce frustration and help prevent equipment damage caused by misunderstandings. Most importantly, clear communication

can reduce the potential for injuries and fatalities when workers are operating around moving machinery. Make hand signals part of farm routines Farm operators can take several simple steps to make standardized hand signals part of everyday work. First, learn the standard signals and adopt them on the farm. Everyone working around equipment should understand what each signal means and use it consistently. Second, post hand-signal posters in visible locations. Placing them where family members, employees and other workers see them regularly can help

reinforce the signals and make them easier to remember. Finally, include hand-signal training for new employees. New workers should learn the farm’s communication practices before being expected to work around machinery or assist with tasks where verbal communication may be difficult. In a farm environment where noise and distance can quickly create communication problems, hand signals offer a straightforward way to make sure everyone is speaking the same visual language. A few minutes spent learning and reinforcing the signals could help prevent a misunderstanding from becoming an accident.

Opinion

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August 28, 2026

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Ten myths standing in the way of supply management reform Opening part of the Canadian market does not produce an equivalent loss for every farm. Marketing boards can adjust quota as producers retire or leave the industry. Compensation has often been distributed without demonstrating actual farm-level losses. Public money should support genuine adjustment and competitiveness—not simply purchase political peace. 5. Ending supply management would automatically lower prices There is no guarantee. Processing, packaging, transportation, labour and retail margins also determine grocery prices. Canadian processors nevertheless pay comparatively high prices for industrial milk. Reform could attract investment, improve competition and increase product variety, but anyone promising immediate savings at the dairy aisle is overselling the case.

Dairy farmers are not the problem. They operate rationally within rules created by governments and administered by marketing boards. But those rules should not be immune from scrutiny. Submitted photo

Suddenly, everyone, and their grandmother, seems to be an expert on supply management. That newfound interest is healthy. Canadians are finally examining the benefits, costs and contradictions of a complicated system affecting roughly one-quarter of the country’s agricultural economy. A generation ago, few economists openly criticized supply management. Those who did faced fierce attacks, while the dairy lobby deployed a nationwide marketing budget approaching $200 million annually. Remember the Doug Gilmour milk advertisements? Today, the “Milk” logo appears on Toronto Maple Leafs jerseys through a multimillion-dollar sponsorship. For years, criticizing supply management was almost politically taboo. Social media has changed that. Consumers can now see milk being dumped, compare Canadian prices with those abroad and question why Ottawa repeatedly compensates a protected industry. Dairy farmers are not the problem. They operate rationally within rules created by governments and administered by marketing boards. But those rules should not be immune from scrutiny. Here are 10 myths Canadians should stop believing. 1. Dairy farmers are poor Dairy farmers can be cash-constrained, but

they are generally asset-rich. Once land, buildings, livestock, machinery and quota are included, many operations are worth more than $6 million. The real problem is that these inflated asset values make entering the industry almost impossible without significant family wealth or financing. 2. Supply management is saving the family farm Canada had more than 90,000 dairy farms when supply management began. Fewer than 10,000 remain, and that number could approach 5,000 by 2030. The system has stabilized revenues for surviving producers, but it has not stopped consolidation. It protects farm income more effectively than it protects family farms. 3. Canadian dairy farmers receive no subsidies Ottawa has provided billions of dollars in compensation following trade agreements with Europe, Pacific nations and the United States and Mexico. Canadians support dairy through administered prices, tariff protection, import restrictions and public payments. Calling these payments “compensation” does not make them any less of a subsidy. Dairy farmers also receive millions for “research.” 4. Trade agreements make every dairy farmer lose money

6. Farmers alone pay for dumped milk That is true in the U.S., not in Canada. Farmers initially absorb some losses through pooled revenues, but quota, prices and future production are subsequently adjusted. When boards instruct producers to discard milk, it is a system-level failure—not simply one farmer producing too much. If marketing boards control production, they must accept responsibility when their forecasts are wrong. 7. Milk dumping is unavoidable Temporary surpluses are inevitable; dumping usable milk is not. Canada could create transparent reserves of milk powder and other storable ingredients, redirect suitable surpluses or expand processing capacity. Global demand for dairy protein is growing. Canada should be discussing how to process excess milk, not how to pour it away. 8. Canada has fully respected CUSMA Before CUSMA, discounted milk classes 6 and 7 helped Canadian processors displace American protein imports and export surplus ingredients. CUSMA was supposed to end the practice, yet similar pricing continued through class 4(a). Canada also allocated much of its dairy import access to Canadian processors competing against foreign suppliers. Washington can be unreasonable, but Canada is not blameless. 9. Supply management guarantees food security Domestic production contributes to food security, but protectionism is not the same as resilience. Dairy farms still depend on imported machinery, feed ingredients, animal-health

By Sylvain Charlebois

products and packaging. Canada also lacks processing capacity for some dairy ingredients. A secure industry must be productive, innovative and able to adapt—not merely protected from competition. 10. Reform means abolishing the system overnight Canada does not have to choose between preserving supply management unchanged and eliminating it tomorrow. A 15-year transition could lower industrial milk costs, help new farmers enter, strengthen processing and address quota values gradually. Farmers invested under government-created rules and deserve predictability, but fairness does not require permanent paralysis. Supply management has delivered stable farm revenues, predictable production and relatively steady retail prices. Those are genuine advantages. But it has also produced inflated asset values, high barriers to entry, expensive industrial milk, limited processing investment and recurring trade disputes. Its defenders cannot demand public compensation while claiming the system costs taxpayers nothing. Nor can they claim to be saving family farms while farm numbers collapse. The greatest threat to supply management is not Donald Trump or American dairy farmers. It is the refusal of Canada’s dairy establishment to acknowledge that the system must evolve. Canada should not let Washington dictate the future of its dairy sector. But neither should American pressure become an excuse to avoid reforms we should already be pursuing ourselves. Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is senior director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, co-host of The Food Professor Podcast and visiting scholar at McGill University. © Troy Media.

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The AgriPost

August 28, 2026

Corey Dueck and His Mules Win Three Major Competitions By Harry Siemens Corey Dueck of Mitchell, Manitoba, and his team of mules, Wilma and Betty, earned three major competition wins at Austin, Morris and Steinbach. Dueck’s first visit to the Manitoba Threshermen’s Reunion and Stampede ended with a victory in the threshermen’s race at Austin, Manitoba. He entered the competition after his friend John invited him to take part. Dueck admitted he was apprehensive about bringing the mules close to the steam engines, threshing separator and crowds. “I was scared about what the steam engines would do and how the mules would handle it,” Dueck said. “They handled it quite well. I’m always competitive, so we had to put it in first place.”

Justin McKee and Dueck’s son, Dustin, worked with him on the winning team. Dueck did not win the same competition on each of the four days. Instead, officials added together his times from all four days to determine the overall winner. “In Austin, it was based on the four days’ times combined,” Dueck said. “All four days were added up to win.” The competition began with teams harnessing their animals and bringing empty wagons into position. They then collected the stooked sheaves, moved beside the operating separator and pitched the grain into the machine. Competitors received two-second penalties for incorrectly handled sheaves, including those not fed into the separator heads first. Dueck said the machinery,

Teams work beside the steam-powered threshing equipment during the competition at the Manitoba Threshermen’s Reunion and Stampede in Austin.

noise and activity around the separator tested the mules’ confidence. “They get a little scared, so they have to be brought in there,” he said. “You throw as many sheaves as you can into the separator, heads first, and then you get docked for anything done wrong.” Wilma and Betty came to Dueck after their previous

owner died. The owner’s family needed to sell them, and the mules had received little training. They were estimated to be about 10 years old. Dueck brought them home and spent several years working with them, beginning with small steps in the pen. He quickly discovered that training mules required a different approach than training horses. “If something didn’t work one day, I would leave it alone,” he said. “Five days later, I would try it again, and they would do it well. Mules take time to process what they are being asked to do.” Dueck identified trust, patience and varied training experiences as the keys to success. “The biggest thing is trust,” he said. “They have to trust me, and I have never put them into a dangerous situation.” He said his competitive nature must remain balanced with what the animals can handle. Pushing or striking them would only damage the relationship. “You coax them along,” he

Corey Dueck of Mitchell and his helpers load stooked sheaves onto the wagon during the four-day threshermen’s race at Austin. Photos by Harry Siemens.

Corey Dueck’s mules, Wilma and Betty, pull the wagon during the threshing competition at the Manitoba Threshermen’s Reunion and Stampede.

said. “My competitiveness has to stay in line with what they can handle.” Dueck also avoids training the mules in only one place or following the same routine. He hooks them in different settings so they learn to respond wherever they are taken. The Austin victory was one of three major wins for Dueck and his mules. They also won the heavy horse chore competition at the Morris Big M Stampede and the heavy horse chore competition during Pioneer Days at the

Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach. The Morris course required competitors to pass through gates, complete a keyhole turn, back a wagon, and load or unload items. After placing second on the first day, Dueck earned full points and recorded the fastest time on the second day to win the competition. Dueck said mules are sometimes called stubborn when they are actually cautious. “They don’t panic; they stop,” he said. “Once they trust you, they will go almost anywhere.”

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Wildlife Federation Raises Concern Over Proposed Interlake Land Transfers By Harry Siemens The Manitoba Wildlife Federation is raising concerns about the possible transfer of Crown land within several Interlake Wildlife Management Areas to Peguis First Nation through the Treaty Land Entitlement process. The federation disclosed the issue on August 13 but did not identify the management areas or the number of acres involved. The federation emphasized that it supports resolving Treaty Land Entitlement obligations. Its objection is not to the settlement process, but to including land already designated and managed for wildlife conservation. Wildlife Management Areas protect habitat used by elk, moose and whitetailed deer. The federation said many properties entered provincial ownership through purchases, gifts or transfers for conservation, with the expectation they would remain protected for wildlife and Manitobans. Public access is another concern. Hunters, anglers, outdoor enthusiasts, First Nations and Métis people use these lands. The federation said that if selected properties were transferred to Canada and given reserve status, the receiving First Nation would control access and management decisions. Other Manitobans, it argues, would no longer have guaranteed access. The federation’s statement included no response from Peguis First Nation. The province had not pub-

licly identified the parcels or explained their status when the organization raised the issue. Treaty Land Entitlement addresses land promised under historic treaties but not fully provided when reserves were surveyed. Manitoba participates because the 1930 Natural Resources Transfer Agreement requires the province to provide Crown land to help Canada fulfil outstanding treaty obligations. Peguis has an individual Treaty Entitlement Agreement signed in 2006. Manitoba’s 1997 Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement establishes processes for selecting Crown land and acquiring other property. The federation generally characterizes Wildlife Management Areas and provincial parks as unavailable, except under unusual circumstances. However, the framework language is more specific. It says a First Nation may select land within a Wildlife Management Area if the land is not essential to the purpose for which the area was designated or if it was not transferred or gifted to Manitoba for designation as a management area. Determining whether the proposed Interlake lands meet either condition will be central to evaluating the selections. The federation says previous Manitoba governments excluded Wildlife Management Area lands from Treaty Land Entitlement transfers and wants the current govern-

ment to explain any different approach. The organization also fears approval could create a precedent affecting other management areas, provincial parks or publicly held conservation lands. It has alerted rural municipalities because land transfers may affect more than recreational access. When provincial Crown land becomes reserve land, municipalities may face questions involving grants paid in lieu of property taxes and local planning. The federation said it has spoken with the Manitoba government and is contacting affected municipalities and elected officials. It intends to advocate for the lands to remain publicly accessible and managed for their original conservation purposes. The issue pits two public obligations against each other: fulfilling constitutionally recognized Treaty Land Entitlement commitments and protecting habitat under provincial conservation management. A complete assessment will require the province and Peguis First Nation to identify the proposed parcels, explain why they qualify for selection and clarify how conservation and access would be handled after any transfer. Until those facts are available, the debate will remain driven by concern over what might happen rather than a publicly documented transfer decision.

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The AgriPost

The AgriPost

August 28, 2026

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

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From Farm Crisis to Freight: Bartel Family Marks Four Decades of Adaptation By Harry Siemens A Manitoba trucking company is marking four decades of resilience and adaptation after a farm crisis led the Bartel family into trucking. Bartel Bulk Freight began in 1984 after hail and a tornado struck the Bartel family’s grain and livestock farm northwest of Morris. The storms destroyed buildings and bins and wiped out the crop, leaving the operation close to financial ruin. In response, the family began hauling grain for neighbouring farmers with tandem trucks to generate income. They later rented semis and bought and sold grain before the first company-owned semi arrived in 1986. That was followed by a Super B and an end-dump trailer built on the farm. As the business expanded, the fleet grew to 16 trucks by 1993. The following year, Bartel Bulk Freight incorporated with George and Lillie Bartel and their sons Dudley, Chester and Lynn as partners. The business then shifted from hauling grain to transporting

A Bartel Bulk Freight truck crosses Prairie farmland, reflecting the Morris company’s agricultural roots and the essential role independent carriers play in moving farm products and other goods across Canada and the United States. Photo courtesy of Bartel Bulk Freight

general freight. A tragedy struck in December 1995 when Dudley Bartel died during a whiteout while attempting to help a driver stranded 1½ miles from the office. Flooding brought further upheaval. The company temporarily relocated to Winnipeg during the 1997 flood and returned after the water receded and repairs were completed.

Another flood in 2009 prompted a move into its Morris facility, a 20,000-square-foot building on 15 acres that was unfinished when operations transferred. Today, Chester and Lynn Bartel lead the company. Chester is a co-owner, president and logistics manager, overseeing freight, while Lynn manages the fleet, service, safety and compliance.

The next generation has taken on responsibilities. Chester’s son-in-law, Ryan Tates, works in outbound dispatch; nephew Tristan Hiebert handles Manitoba and outbound dispatch; daughters Leah Wiebe and Gina Bartel manage customs and compliance; and niece Hannah Bartel works in accounts receivable. Those hardships taught the family humility, faith and

trust, Chester said. Lenders and others extended mercy when the family needed additional time, and that shaped how the company approached hiring. That history made the Bartels willing to train applicants who lacked the two years of experience often demanded in trucking advertisements. The company transports farm chemicals, grain, semi-processed foods, equipment parts, tires and metal components. Because of its agricultural background, staff understand the products and the time-sensitive needs of farm customers. Most of its work, about 85 per cent, involves crossing the Canada-U.S. border. Chester said border procedures have become more complicated as trucking companies assume more responsibility for entry documents. Customs delays can last two days, increasing costs and disrupting delivery schedules. Technology has helped offset that pressure. GPS lets dispatchers monitor shipments

and locate missing or stolen equipment, while electronic systems support border documentation, safety and fleet coordination. The industry’s labour challenge is changing. Hiring has become easier, Chester said, and many employees value stable work. However, drivers are approaching retirement, creating a need to recruit dependable replacements. He sees independent carriers as essential to agriculture and the wider economy because nearly everything produced must travel by truck at some point. That makes safe, dependable and user-friendly roads a necessity, not simply an industry concern. For the Bartel family, the company’s history is less a story of uninterrupted expansion than one of repeatedly adjusting to storms, floods, tragedy, border delays and changing labour demands. That spirit still guides the business today: adapt, keep freight moving and give people a chance to prove themselves.

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August 28, 2026

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Tightening Grain Supplies Offer Some Support as Prairie Harvest Approaches

By Harry Siemens Prairie grain markets are heading into harvest with a mixed price outlook, as large local supplies weigh on some crops while tightening North American and global grain supplies support others. The August 2026 Grain Marketing Insights report from Manitoba Crop Alliance and LeftField Commodity Research points to changing supply conditions for wheat, barley, corn, flax and sunflowers as new-crop grain begins moving into the market. Wheat faces one of the more supportive supply situations. Combined North American hard red spring wheat production is forecast at about 34 million tonnes, the second-lowest level since 2017. The U.S. harvest is advancing, while the western Canadian harvest is in its early stages, drawing attention to both yield and quality. Canadian non-durum wheat exports finished 2025-26 at a record near 24 million tonnes. Smaller supplies could reduce 2026-27 exports to about 22 million

tonnes. Black Sea uncertainty remains an important factor. Russian and Ukrainian export forecasts are declining, while European Union shipments could also fall because of reduced production and increased domestic feed demand. Prairie wheat prices are transitioning from old-crop to new-crop values, normally a period of seasonal pressure. However, geopolitical uncertainty and tighter global supplies could provide some upside. Barley also faces tightening supplies. Canadian exports are expected to finish 2025-26 at just over 3.5 million tonnes, close to a record, pulling carryout below one million tonnes. Canada’s 2026 barley crop is estimated at approximately 8.8 million tonnes. That would leave total supplies about 1.2 million tonnes below last year, requiring reductions in both feed use and exports. Feed barley prices have followed their normal seasonal decline as harvest ap-

proaches. Prices typically bottom around mid-September, but tight world cereal supplies could bring that low earlier and support a stronger recovery into early winter. Corn presents a different situation. The USDA’s first survey-based U.S. yield estimate came in at 180.7 bushels per acre, down 2.3 bushels from July. Increased acreage, however, kept estimated production at 16 billion bushels, the second-largest U.S. crop on record. Manitoba produced a record corn crop in 2025, and higher seeded acreage could result in an even larger crop this year. Large local supplies could limit western Canadian prices even if futures strengthen. Sunflowers carry a more positive price outlook. Manitoba’s insured sunflower area increased 14 per cent to 77,000 acres, the largest since 2023. Oil-type acreage increased 21 per cent, while confection acreage dropped

20 per cent. Meanwhile, North Dakota sunflower crop ratings have declined for four consecutive weeks to 40 per cent good to excellent, the poorest rating since the 2021 drought year. Tight old-crop supplies and a smaller U.S. crop point toward more upside than downside after the normal harvest pressure. Flax has the softer outlook. Saskatchewan crop conditions suggest an above-average yield of 24.1 bushels per acre, but increasing competition from Kazakhstan is pressuring the export market. Kazakhstan increased flax acreage by 41 per cent and also carries record old-crop stocks. For Prairie farmers approaching harvest, the picture varies sharply by crop. Wheat, barley and sunflowers have supportive supply signals, while large corn supplies and growing international competition for flax could keep those markets under pressure.

Harvest begins on the Prairies as tightening old-crop grain supplies provide some underlying support for prices heading into the new crop year. Photo by Harry Siemens

The AgriPost

August 28, 2026

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Canadian Beef Industry Conference tour showcases Manitoba cattle sector Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) staff and board members gained a closer look at Manitoba’s cattle industry during a recent Made in Manitoba Tour held as part of the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Winnipeg. The tour, hosted by Manitoba Beef Producers, gave participants an opportunity to see firsthand the conditions Manitoba cattle producers operate in and learn more about the province’s beef sector. Tours such as the Made in Manitoba event provide valuable perspective for national industry representatives while creating opportunities to connect producers and beef industry stakeholders from across Canada. The CCA thanked Manitoba Beef Producers for organizing the tour and the Manitoba producers and other hosts who welcomed participants and shared their operations and experiences. The event also highlighted the importance of connecting national beef organizations with producers on the ground as the industry works through regional challenges and opportunities.

Scott and Janine Duguid of Loch Wood Farm shared their diversified cow-calf, forage, and forage seed and grain operation. The cattle at Loch Wood Farm are fed through a combination of cover crops, rotational grazing and bale grazing. Submitted photos

Laura and Ryan Plett of Sawmill Creek Livestock shared their successes and challenges raising cattle on land shared with deer, wolves, foxes and bears in a heavily treed area. Previous generations at Sawmill Creek Livestock attempted to cultivate the open area and grow crops. Their operation is an excellent example of utilizing marginal land to grow nutritious protein.

Canola industry welcomes federal focus on biofuel production and energy security Canada’s canola industry is welcoming the outcomes of late June Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference, particularly commitments aimed at strengthening national energy security and expanding domestic biofuel production. Industry groups say the federal and provincial focus on low-carbon fuels could create additional opportunities for Canadian canola growers as demand for canola oil grows in biofuel markets. Nearly one in three acres of canola grown in Canada is destined for biofuel markets in Canada, the United States and the European Union, according to the industry. The ministers’ reference to increasing domestic biofuel production toward 60 per cent of consumption by 2030 is being viewed as an

important signal of agriculture’s potential role in meeting Canada’s energy and climate objectives. For canola producers and processors, the opportunity is being supported by significant investment in domestic crushing capacity. By the end of 2026, Canada is expected to have the capacity to process approximately 15 million tonnes of canola annually. More than $2 billion has been invested in new and expanded crushing facilities across the Prairies, driven by growing demand for canola as both a food product and a biofuel feedstock. The increased processing capacity could allow more value to be captured within Canada while creating additional market opportunities for farmers.

Industry representatives, however, say the potential benefits depend on a competitive and predictable domestic policy environment. The Canadian Canola Growers Association, Canola Council of Canada and Canadian Oilseed Processors Association are continuing to push for targeted changes to the federal Clean Fuel Regulations (CFR). The groups are seeking amendments that would encourage increased domestic biofuel production while ensuring that feedstock provisions protect the use of North American agricultural products, including canola oil. The proposed changes are part of a federal support package announced in September 2025 aimed at strengthening Canada’s canola sector. The industry is now awaiting publication of the

targeted CFR amendments. Canola representatives say meaningful policy changes will be important to support investment in processing capacity, expand market opportunities for Canadian farmers and reinforce the role of canola in Canada’s transition toward a lower-carbon economy. The industry’s support for increased domestic biofuel production comes as Canada’s canola sector continues to position itself at the intersection of agriculture, energy and climate policy. With billions of dollars committed to new processing infrastructure and growing demand for low-carbon fuels, industry leaders see domestic policy as a key factor in determining how much of that potential can be realized by Canadian producers.

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The AgriPost

August 28, 2026

Manitoba Crop Alliance Awards Six High School Bursaries to Future Agriculture Leaders By Harry Siemens The Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) has recognized six graduating Manitoba high school students with $1,000 bursaries, highlighting the organization’s commitment to supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders. The 2025-26 high school bursary recipients are Austin Dubyts of

Stockton, Katie Gulak of Gilbert Plains, Aiden Brunel of Ste. Rose du Lac, Keira Duguid of Gimli, Julie McMahon of Inwood and Ella Prejet of Notre Dame de Lourdes. The annual bursary program helps graduating students who plan to continue their education at a Canadian college or university in a field that will benefit Manitoba’s agricul-

ture sector. “Every year, I’m impressed by the quality of our bursary applicants, and this year’s recipients are no exception,” said MCA Chair Jonothan Hodson. “I look forward to seeing the valuable contributions they will make to our industry. The future of Manitoba agriculture is in great hands.” The bursaries reflect MCA’s longterm investment in developing skilled people for Manitoba agriculture. While recipients are not required to enrol in agriculture-specific programs, they must demonstrate how their chosen field of study will contribute to the industry. Eligible programs include agriculture, agronomy, engineering, business, heavy-duty equipment mechanics, logistics and supply chain management, biology, chemistry, software development, agricultural equipment technology and other related disciplines. To qualify, applicants must be graduating from high school during the

2025-26 school year, come from a farm that is a member in good standing with MCA, and have been accepted into a Canadian post-secondary institution beginning in 2026. Applications also require a working copy of the student’s high school transcript, proof of acceptance into a continuing education program, a one-page application letter outlining their interest in agriculture and future career goals, and a reference letter from someone outside their immediate family. MCA notes that applicants must clearly explain how their education will strengthen the agriculture industry, regardless of whether they are pursuing a traditional agricultural degree. The organization also administers a separate post-secondary bursary program. Each year, six students enrolled full-time in agricultural programs at Canadian colleges or universities receive $2,000 bursaries. Applicants must have completed at least one year of post-secondary

education, maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0, demonstrate an interest in agriculture, and come from an MCA member farm in good standing. Students who receive an MCA high school bursary remain eligible to apply for a post-secondary bursary in future years. Applications for the 2026-27 post-secondary bursaries will open in October. Since establishing the bursary program, MCA has continued investing in students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership and a commitment to advancing Manitoba agriculture. The successful recipients are also featured through MCA publications and social media, recognizing their accomplishments and encouraging other young people to consider careers that support the province’s crop sector. With another group of promising students preparing to begin their post-secondary education, MCA says the future of Manitoba agriculture continues to look bright.

Recipients of the 2025-26 Manitoba Crop Alliance high school bursaries are (top row, left to right) Austin Dubyts of Stockton, Katie Gulak of Gilbert Plains and Aiden Brunel of Ste. Rose du Lac; (bottom row, left to right) Keira Duguid of Gimli, Julie McMahon of Inwood and Ella Prejet of Notre Dame de Lourdes. Each received a $1,000 bursary from Manitoba Crop Alliance to support post-secondary studies that will benefit the agriculture sector. Submitted photo

The AgriPost

August 28, 2026

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My 2026 coffee budget of feeding dairy replacement heifers I was at the store the other day and was shocked by the price of the cheapest coffee on the shelf - $22 for about 900 grams. If memory serves me – a few years ago, the same coffee in the exact tin costed no more than $ 10 dollars. Okay. What does a 100% markup in coffee have to do with raising dairy replacement heifers? Maybe nothing. However, I am also shocked at the dramatic rise in the cost of raising a newborn calf and put her on the milk-line two years later as a newly freshened dairy cow. As a result, I present my 2026 budget in which specific parameters are set up in order to examine the 2026 operating costs of feeding heifers and compare it to a similar 2025 budget. For my 2026 budget of feeding dairy heifer replacements, its parameters are: - A complete heifer feeding program for heifers from birth to twoyears of age. - Input costs of common forage, grain concentrates, premixes and specialty feeds. - Yardage (labor and fuel). - A pro-rated cull rate cost of 15% new for 2025. The parameters of my 2026 budget do not include: - Barns, poll sheds, pens and other fixed facility costs. - Equipment capital costs, repair and replacement. - Bedding and medication costs. - Electricity, hydro or water oper-

ating costs. - Interest on operating loans. - Manure cleanout of barns and pens Cornerstone of my 2026 budget is its heifer replacement feeding program. It supports desired post-weaning (3 – 9 months of age) growth rates of 1.8 – 2.0 lbs per day, which is increased to 2.0 – 2.2 lbs after puberty at about 9 – 10 months of age. In order to do so, I achieve optimum growth by formulating diets of all-encompassing dietary requirements of 64-67% TDN, and 14 – 16% crude protein. For demonstration, I set up one of the most common and practical dairy replacement heifers’ feeding programs that I know. It is outlined in three ways: 1. Once, calves are weaned from milk replacer (and calf starter), post-weaned heifers are fed a diet of high-quality mixed alfalfa-grass hay supplemented with a 16% heifer complete feed pellet. 2. This feed pellet is discontinued, once animals are bred, and is replaced by a heifer TMV premix (no grain is fed). And, 3. Corn silage is introduced at 8 months of age and continued until calving. Note close-up feeding program is fed, but not illustrated prior to calving. As the accompanied spreadsheet illustrates, the grand total cost of feeding replacement dairy heifers is about $3,461.80, based upon: total feed expenses, yardage of $1.50 per head per day, plus a pro-rate cost of culling replacement heifers. I also compare it to a similar spreadsheet from last year, which had a total cost $2,880.41. At face-value, my current total cost increased by nearly $600 per head or plus 20%. I hoped that new cost of feeding

heifers in 2026 would be about the same, compared to last year’s. Yet, I did anticipate some extra costs to be incurred due to: - 20% increase in the cost of feeding calf milk replacer – or $56/hd. - $5 more per tonne for corn silage. - 5% increase in heifer premix prices. - Pro-rated 15% cull rate added to the 2025, which resulted in “taxing” effect upon feed costs. One thing that I didn’t anticipate in this year’s budget was a significant

increase in yardage (fuel and labor costs). In previous years, I input no more than $0.50 per head per day. Last year, I increased it to $0.85/ hd/d (2025) and took a heavier hit of $1.50/hd/d. And still, I might be on the low-side in true yardage costs. The reason for my increasing it are two-fold: (1) Minimum wage is about $15.00 per hour across the Canada. Plus, many dairies hire workers that are paid substantially more. (2) Average diesel fuel prices in 2025 were about $1.50 per litre.

Today’s fuel tab is around $2.08 $2.38 per litre. Such financial analysis proves the real strength of my 2026 feed budget is that any dairy producer can use it. It is also flexible enough that anyone can add their own special input costs to reflect one’s personal bottom-line. Plus, it is a handy tool for anyone feeding heifers and is looking for a cheaper way of feeding them. Now if we could only take this spreadsheet and find out - why the price of coffee is expensive!

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Manitoba Pork Backs Lake Winnipeg Research and Science-Based Decisions By Harry Siemens Manitoba Pork has supported Lake Winnipeg research for more than 15 years. A recent trip aboard the Motor Vessel Namao gave pork producers and industry representatives a firsthand look at how that support is being used. Manitoba Pork staff, board members and district advisors joined the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium for a research tour of the lake’s south basin, where the consortium operates the Namao as its main research vessel. The relationship is not new. Manitoba Pork said its financial support for the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium has continued for more than 15 years, and the recent tour was part of that collaboration.

Manitoba Pork representatives gather aboard the Motor Vessel Namao during a Lake Winnipeg tour focused on water quality, research and environmental stewardship.

During the trip, researchers demonstrated equipment used to collect water samples at 65 sampling sites across Lake Winnipeg. Manitoba Pork said the demonstration showed participants how farmers help researchers better understand the lake’s ecological dynamics. One challenge is the enormous size of the Lake Winnipeg watershed. It covers parts of four Canadian provinces and three U.S. states. According to Manitoba Pork, consortium researchers explained that understanding water quality requires more than studying Lake Winnipeg itself. It also requires collecting information and connecting the work of numerous groups studying the lake and the land draining into it. Increasing collaboration and awareness of that research will be important in the coming years. Manitoba Pork is also becoming more directly involved in discussions about nutrient research. Grant Melnychuk, Manitoba Pork’s director of sustainable development, research and data management, was recently appointed to the Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Advisory Group. Formed in spring 2026, the advisory group will provide Manitoba’s Minister of Environment

The Motor Vessel Namao, Lake Winnipeg’s research vessel, provides scientists with a platform for monitoring the lake’s water quality and aquatic ecosystem. Photos courtesy of Manitoba Pork

and Climate Change with recommendations on future research that could help reduce nutrients entering Lake Winnipeg. Manitoba Pork said this could include updating estimates identifying nutrient sources by waterway and by sectors such as urban, industrial and agricultural sources. The organization said it requested the establishment of the advisory group because discussions and future regulations concerning Lake Winnipeg should rest on scientific evidence rather than assumptions or social media commentary. Manitoba Pork also points to manure management as an important part of the industry’s environmental record. Statistics Canada data cited by Manitoba Pork shows that more than 90 per cent of manure in Manitoba is either injected into the soil or incorporated immediately after application. Manitoba Pork said this represents the highest rate among Canadian provinces. Farmers increasingly combine manure application with precision soil testing, manure management planning, GPS technology and

near-infrared technology. The objective is to apply manure as an organic fertilizer at rates crops can use while minimizing the potential for nutrient runoff. The Namao tour allowed Manitoba Pork representatives to connect those on-farm practices with the larger research effort underway on Lake Winnipeg. The organization intends to continue supporting the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium and plans more sustainability initiatives in the coming years. Those initiatives will communicate the sustainability work already underway on Manitoba hog farms while also seeking further opportunities to improve. For Manitoba Pork, the tour’s message is that protecting Lake Winnipeg requires good information. With a watershed stretching across international and provincial boundaries and many potential nutrient sources, decisions affecting farmers and others need current research and measured evidence. The industry’s continuing involvement with the consortium and the new advisory group gives Manitoba hog producers a place in that science-based discussion.

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August 28, 2026

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Farm Woman Shares Recipes in MFWC Cookbook By Joan Airey The Manitoba Farm Women’s Conference (MFWC) will celebrate its 40th anniversary in Winnipeg in November 2026. To mark the occasion, Dineen Pippuis has been busy compiling a 40th Anniversary Cookbook featuring recipes from women who have been part of the conference over the past 40 years. The cookbook will celebrate not only the conference’s history but also the recipes, memories and traditions shared by Manitoba farm women through the years. Dineen shared several recipes with us, including some family favourites.

down into the pail as the hot brine is added. Cool and then refrigerate. Stir occasionally for the first few days to ensure the cucumbers remain well covered in the brine. Creamy Cabbage Salad “With lots of cabbages for sale at farmers markets, it’s time to make some good old Canadian coleslaw,” Dineen said. “Hope everyone is shopping for Canadian produce to keep our Canadian economy going.” Chili recipe from Louise Penner. Delicious.

Photos by Joan Airey

mixture. Put in a roaster and cook for one hour at 250 F. Louise Penner’s Chili Ingredients: 2 lbs. ground beef ½ to 1 cup ketchup 1½ teaspoons chili powder 1 tin pork and beans 1 medium onion, chopped 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 teaspoons salt 1 tin tomato soup 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 2 teaspoons mustard 2 tablespoons vinegar Pepper to taste Directions: Brown ground beef, add onions and cook until done. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes. I’m trying this chili recipe for supper tonight. This Cookbook features recipes from women who have been part of the conference for over the past 40 years.

Mom’s Baked Beans

Refrigerator Pickles “Refrigerator pickles are popular in our family, so my extra fridge is often full of them,” Dineen said. I put them in gallon glass jars.

Ingredients: 1 lb. ground beef 1 lb. bacon ½ onion 2 cups brown sugar 1 cup ketchup ½ cup mustard ½ cup molasses 6 tins pork and beans

For the brine: 4 cups sugar 2 cups vinegar 2 tablespoons pickling salt 1 teaspoon turmeric 1 tablespoon mustard seed 1 teaspoon celery seed 1 teaspoon alum

Directions: Mix ground beef, bacon and onion. Brown and drain. Combine brown sugar, ketchup, mustard and molasses and simmer for 20 minutes. Add the sauce and pork and beans to the beef

Directions: Fill an ice cream pail with thinly sliced cucumbers and onion, using an amount to your preference. Mix all the brine ingredients together and bring to a boil. Pour the hot brine over the cucumbers and onions and stir. They will shrink

Ingredients: 1 large cabbage, about 2 lbs. 1 large onion 1 green pepper, optional 6 stalks celery, optional 2 cups salad dressing or mayonnaise ½ cup cider vinegar ½ cup sugar 1 teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper

½ cup pineapple juice 1 large carrot Directions: Grate the cabbage, carrots and onion. Chop the green pepper and celery. Mix the remaining ingredients together and add the vegetables. Mix well, place in a container and refrigerate. The salad will keep for about a month. Dineen recommends draining the juices before serving. I have also experimented with the recipe, substituting orange or apple juice for the pineapple juice in the Creamy Cabbage Salad. The collection of recipes in the MFWC 40th Anniversary Cookbook promises to offer a taste of the women, families and traditions that have helped make the Manitoba Farm Women’s Conference a longstanding part of the province’s agricultural community.

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Smell of footrot is in the air By Peter Vitti We had stretches of hot 30c and humid days that seemed to go on forever. Plus, several heavy thunderstorms (with the odd tornado) have soaked (flooded) many lush pastures around Manitoba; the perfect storm (pun) for footrot in cattle. It’s not unusual to catch a glimpse of a cow limping away from the rest of the cowherd during a simple drive-by. That is why, I suggest that beef producers do the same and drive by their grazing cows (and bulls) in order to catch any foot-rot victims, and treat them as soon as possible. Any cow that has been standing on constant wet pastures for several weeks - will have hooves that are soft and pliable. Upon closer inspection, the skin of the coronary band of each hoof and inter-digital area cracks and may eventually be opened to infection by anaerobic (lives without oxygen) bacteria called Fusobacterium necrophorum. As her footrot progresses, these claws separate and the skin between toes crack and tissue dies (becomes necrotic). Thus, giving off the classic smell of decaying flesh. It is also well-documented that footrot is contagious among cattle. Pus and discharge from infected swollen feet often contaminates muddy pasture or water, which allow another set of healthy hooves to become infected within a few days. In addition, part of the general challenge of controlling footrot within a cowherd is due to its sporadic nature; disappearing for a few years and then all of a sudden coming back with a vengeance. Fortunately, footrot as it pops up is relatively easy to control if caught in early stages. For example, I talked to a friend that runs about 400 black Angus cows and he checks his cowherd about every few days. If a cow is limping, she is treated right away with a long-acting antibiotic dart. Treatment is effective within 3 – 4 days. He admits that he is much more vigilant in keeping track of his breeding bulls for footrot and other foot and leg aliments. Another friend of mine that calves out about 100 cows in early May - also watches out for lame cows. He tries to keep his cows out of swampy areas by fencing these wet acres off. In

cows on wet pasture

rotation, he often moves them onto 80 acres of well-drained sandy pasture after a bout of wet weather. In doing so, he believes that footrot has not been a major issue on his farm for years. He also treats the odd cow if she is limping away. In both cases, these two producers take a traditional approach when dealing with footrot – “identify and treat quickly”. While there is nothing wrong with their routine, I suggest a different path and try to prevent it. Namely, strengthen the cattle’s hooves and prevent footrot organism from entering their feet in the first place. Sound university research performed on both beef and dairy grazing cattle has satisfactorily demonstrated that feeding about four grams (per head, daily) of zinc-methionine reinforce their hoof horn and sole, which makes it more resistant to injury – shutting it off to footrot and other infectious lameness. The best way of feeding zinc-methionine in such small amounts is to add it to bags of commercial mineral fed on pasture in loose form. It should cost an extra $10 per 25 kg bag or about 4 cents per head per day given the well-balanced mineral is fed at 100 grams per head per day. A herd of 400 cows would spend an $1,920 for this addition. This is a good investment given this summer’s hot and wet weather predisposes beef cows (bulls and spring calves) to a high incidence of footrot. Therefore, I suggest that people develop an encompassing plan in order to effectively minimize footrot’s negative effects upon grazing cattle. A simple five-point plan might be as follows: 1. Set up a hoof strengthening mineral feeding program on pasture. 2. Look over the beef cowherd including bulls and spring calves. 3. Know how to correctly identify new footrot infections. 4. Treat each new case with the proper antibiotics. 5. Return to pasture to see effective treated cases. This outline demonstrates that not every action plan to control footrot is complex, yet should be straightforward. Another thing that I know – I can still tell the producers of the limping cows that I see from the highway, but I won’t confirm every suspect by smelling their hooves.

Submitted photo

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Gardening with Wildlife Can Be Frustrating

By Joan Airey Checking the garden the other morning was frustrating, as a raccoon had sampled a few cobs of corn that weren’t ready to eat yet. My husband put out the live trap but only caught a big black cat, which he let go. I guess the electric fence is going to have to go up, as the raccoon was in the yard again last night. Tomatoes are starting to produce, which is great. We’ve been eating everything from Tiny Tims to Scotias and Big Beefs, all of which have been grown in planters on the patio. There are no ripe ones in the garden so far. Beans, cucumbers and potatoes are producing abundantly. We have been enjoying corn on the cob from a local colony. My aim is to buy only Canadian produce if I have to buy any. This morning, when I put blueberries out to add to my breakfast cereal, I noticed they were Canadian, which was in big print, but they were packaged by an American company, which was in small print. If Mr. Trump is going to put tariffs on Canadian products, why support his economy? My greenhouse needs some work, or I need a new one. Recently, I have met people with different types of greenhouses, and I hope to visit their home greenhouses. I’m hoping to share information about the different greenhouses with readers in the near future. I received a new release, Home Greenhouse Revival by Leslie Halleck, and it contains so much interesting information. For example, is compost a fertilizer? No, not technically speaking, at least in the context of immediately providing available nutrients in measurable amounts. Compost is a superfood. We consider organic, plant-based compost a soil amendment or conditioner, as it still needs to be further broken down over time by soil fauna and heat to release all its nutrients. While there might be a small amount of insoluble nitrogen in compost, it’s minimal and would vary from bag to bag or pile to pile. That’s why you usually won’t see a guaranteed analysis for NPK on a bag of compost or humus, unless soluble nutrients have been added to it. Composts also improve the overall quality and composition of soils and growing media. They can improve porosity and drainage and contribute to a healthier plant rhizosphere. The above explains why my garden didn’t improve as much as I thought it would with all the compost I put on it this spring. I’m sure the information included in this book is great for gardens, pots and other growing areas when it comes to fertilizer. The author stresses the importance of reading the label on fertilizer containers. No matter what product you are using in your greenhouse, always read the label and follow both the application and safety instructions.

Home Greenhouse Revival is full of knowledge for greenhouse owners.

Tomatoes ripening on the patio in July. Photos by Joan Airey

You can dilute fertilizers, but there usually is no benefit to using more than the application rate recommended on the packaging. In fact, you can damage your plants by doing so. Have you planted any garden vegetables in August? I planted radishes in a planter that had grown potatoes earlier, and we will be harvesting a few radishes for supper. The above-mentioned book has lots of information on starting plants, and I’m planning to make use of that information in the coming months. Some of the information is better suited to a slightly warmer climate than where we live, depending on whether you have a cheap source of heat for your greenhouse. With the knowledge from this book and Dan Reid on YouTube, I hope to grow more salad greens and tomatoes over the fall, winter and spring.

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August 28, 2026

Lake Winnipeg Basin project showcases practical path to sustainable farming By Dan Guetre A collaborative project aimed at improving water stewardship and strengthening farm resilience is demonstrating how sustainable agricultural practices can deliver benefits both on the farm and across the Lake Winnipeg watershed. The Lake Winnipeg Basin Project (LWBP), launched in 2021, brings together agricultural, food-processing and environmental organizations to examine how farming practices can produce measurable environmental benefits while supporting profitable, resilient operations. The project initially involved Simplot, Maple Leaf Foods, Cargill, Ducks Unlimited and the Potato Sustainability Alliance, working with four Manitoba farms. In 2026, two additional farms joined, expanding the project to six farms and approximately 69,000 acres. The participating operations grow potatoes, grains and oilseeds, while one of the newer participants also produces hogs and poultry. In 2021, participating farmers received support and resources to develop water stewardship plans, using the Alliance for Water Stewardship Standard as a guide. The plans identified existing water stewardship practices and opportunities for additional measures across their operations. The project later engaged EcoMetrics LLC to assess the economic, environmental and social value generated by those practices. The assessment found that the farms create significantly greater value for their operations and other stakeholders by implementing sustainable practices than they would under a status-quo approach. Farm tour highlights water stewardship On July 27, project organizers hosted a tour for representatives from federal and provincial governments, municipalities, watershed districts, the University of Manitoba, Indigenous commu-

The Lake Winnipeg Basin Project (LWBP), launched in 2021, brings together agricultural, food-processing and environmental organizations to examine how farming practices can produce measurable environmental benefits while supporting profitable, resilient operations.

During spring runoff, surplus water from the Boyne River can be diverted into off-stream reservoirs.

nities, non-profit organizations, commodity associations and agribusiness. Participants visited three of the six farms to see sustainable practices in action. At McIntosh Ventures near Graysville, participants examined management of the Stephenfield Reservoir. The discussion focused on balancing domestic, recreational and irrigation demands while using water efficiently. During spring runoff, surplus water from the Boyne River can be diverted into off-stream reservoirs. The stored water is subsequently used to irrigate potato crops, helping make better use of available spring flows while reducing pressure on summer water supplies. At Corduroy Plains near Carman, participants learned about a pilot project measuring phosphorus diverted from the Boyne River watershed into off-stream irrigation reservoirs. The Lake Winnipeg Foundation partnered with two area farms in spring 2026 to measure phosphorus concentrations and the volume of water pumped into five reservoirs. Preliminary results showed that 1.09 tonnes of

phosphorus were removed from the Boyne River and prevented from entering Lake Winnipeg. With 55 off-stream irrigation reservoirs in Manitoba, the project highlights how irrigation infrastructure can potentially provide both agricultural and environmental benefits. Precision nutrient management At Blumengart Colony near Plum Coulee, the tour focused on nutrient management and soil conservation. The farm injects liquid hog manure six to eight inches into the soil, helping retain nutrients and reduce the risk of runoff and nitrogen losses. A near-infrared spectroscopy sensor measures manure nutrient content during application, while flow controls regulate application rates. The approach allows the farm to capture more of manure’s fertilizer value and reduces the need for additional phosphorus fertilizer. Blumengart has also established approximately 40 kilometres of shelterbelts, providing benefits including erosion control and increased biodiversity. Participants also visited WJ

At Blumengart Colony near Plum Coulee, the tour focused on nutrient management and soil conservation. Submitted photos

Siemens Farming Company Ltd. near Rosetown, where precision agriculture technologies are being used to improve nutrient efficiency. Veris soil mapping identifies areas affected by salinity and helps guide crop selection, while zone-based soil sampling supports variable-rate fertilizer applications. Yield monitors on combines provide additional data, allowing the farm to compare crop performance with soil characteristics and refine future management decisions. The tour also examined the potential for harvesting cattails and other plant biomass from ditches, drains and marshes. Accord-

ing to researchers with the International Institute for Sustainable Development, removing biomass can also remove nutrients from the watershed while creating potential products such as fuel, organic fertilizer amendments or ecological biomass feedstock. Together, the projects illustrate the LWBP’s central premise: improving water quality does not have to come at the expense of farm productivity. By combining technology, conservation, efficient water management and nutrient stewardship, Manitoba farms are demonstrating practical approaches that can benefit both agricultural operations and the health of Lake Winnipeg.

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August 28, 2026

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Draft Sheep Code Opens for Public Comment By Harry Siemens Canadian sheep producers and others interested in farm animal care now have an opportunity to help shape the next national Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Sheep. The National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) and Canadian Sheep Federation announced August 10 that the draft sheep Code has entered a public comment period. Comments will be accepted until October 9, 2026, with the final Code expected to be released in 2027. For sheep producers, this is an important opportunity to look closely at what the proposed Code could mean for farms across Canada. Codes of Practice establish the national understanding of animal care requirements and recommended practices and can influence how producers manage livestock. NFACC said producers, consumers and others interested in sheep welfare can review the draft and provide feedback. All comments must be submitted through the online comment system so the Code Committee can review the feedback consistently. Fred Baker, an Ontario sheep producer and chair of the Code Committee, encouraged farmers in particular to participate. “The Code Committee has worked hard for the past two years developing the draft Code,” Baker said. “We hope farmers take the time to read, consider the implications, and to comment on the contents of the draft Code.” He said those comments will help guide the committee as it makes final adjustments before

publication. That producer involvement matters because sheep operations differ considerably across Canada. Climate, flock size, facilities, production systems, available labour and management practices can vary widely. The public comment process gives producers an opportunity to consider whether proposed requirements are practical while supporting good animal care. The 14-member Code Committee includes producers along with animal welfare and enforcement representatives, researchers, veterinarians and government officials from across Canada. The process is designed to bring those different perspectives together through consensus and science-informed decision-making. A separate Scientific Committee reviewed research on priority sheep welfare issues and prepared a peer-reviewed report to help guide the Code Committee. Sadie Parr, representing World Animal Protection on the committee, said the process has brought together people with different backgrounds and perspectives. “We’ve appreciated the opportunity to work with a diverse group of people to improve sheep welfare in Canada,” Parr said. She added that public input will help the committee continue its work as the Code moves toward completion. The sheep Code is one of five Canadian farm animal Codes currently being updated. NFACC describes the Codes as tools for

Sheep housed in a pen represent one of the many production settings covered by Canada’s draft Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Sheep, now open for public comment until October 9, 2026.

Sheep graze on pasture as Canada’s sheep industry reviews a proposed new national Code of Practice covering animal care requirements and recommended practices. Submitted photos

continuous improvement in animal care while helping maintain public confidence in livestock production. Once the comment period closes on October 9, the committee will review the submissions and consider changes before releasing the final sheep Code in 2027. For producers, the message is straightfor-

ward: this is the stage to study the draft carefully and speak up. Once finalized, the Code will help guide sheep care practices for years to come. Financial support for the Code update comes through the AgriAssurance Program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

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