Wheat genetic code breakthrough
‘Imi’ neonics limited risk Safe to bees if label followed: PMRA » PG 17
Saskatoon researcher part of international team » PG 19
SERVING MANITOBA FARMERS SINCE 1925 | Vol. 74, No. 2 | $1.75
January 14, 2016
Mitigating climate change Weather-related crop losses could cripple existing programs BY ALLAN DAWSON Co-operator staff
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provincially appointed task force is recommending sweeping changes to programs to help farmers mitigate crop losses due to climate change — including exploring whole-farm revenue insurance. The Agriculture Risk Management Review Task Force released 25 recommendations last week in a 108-page report prepared for Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn. Climate change can’t be ignored, the report warns. The 2011 flood alone cost the province $1.2 billion. Since 2008, Manitoba farmers received $3 billion through farm support programs — much of it due to weather-related crop loss. Without changes, AgriStability and AgriInvest are at risk. “(I)t’s possible these programs could be forced to scale back the assistance they offer, which could have serious long-term effects on agricultural production in this country,” the report says. Even though it seems counterintuitive, the report notes that several models predict crop insurance payouts will not rise due to climate change. But that is due in part to the potential for average yields to be lower, thereby reducing exposure. “While it is generally good
manitobacooperator.ca
Crossing the urban-rural divide to promote pulses The International Year of Pulses has the potential to increase demand for the types of pulse crops grown in Manitoba
People grabbed pulse-based snacks and information during the launch of the International Year of Pulses at McNally Robinson Booksellers in Winnipeg’s Grant Park Shopping Centre. Photo: Shannon VanRaes
See CLIMATE CHANGE on page 8 »
BY SHANNON VANRAES Co-operator staff
Publication Mail Agreement 40069240
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t’s noon and McNally Robinson Booksellers in Winnipeg’s Grant Park Shopping Centre is so packed that it takes several minutes and sharp elbows to navigate the throng of people. But these urbanites aren’t here to shop for books to feed their minds, they’re here to learn about healthy new eats made from some unlikely sources — lentils, beans and chickpeas. “I’m almost embarrassed to admit it, but I came out because the email said there would be snacks,” said a laughing Agnes Remple, who works nearby. “But I’ve learned a lot… I had no idea
that they were so healthy for you,” she said. Remple was one of more than 100 people who attended the kickoff for the International Year of Pulses, a title bestowed on 2016 by the United Na t i o n s’ Fo o d a n d A g r i c u l t u re Organization. In organizing the event, the Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers hoped to reach new consumers by hosting it in a decidedly urban environment. “We know farmers are aware of the attributes of a pulse crop,” said Kyle Friesen, who farms near Altona and chairs the association. “So where we wanted the focus to be was on the consumer and on the general public that might not know as much about pulses.
We’re trying to increase consumption by introducing new ingredients into diets, so having an event in the city, in a more residential-type area, hopefully we were able to attract that target audience.” He added that many consumers aren’t familiar with the term pulse, even if they are familiar with lentils or chickpeas. “Really, part of our effort here is to explain that pulse has a number of meanings, including this group of crops — the peas, the dry beans, the favabeans, lentils, chickpeas, those kinds of things,” said Friesen. See PULSES on page 7 »
Feds will match CFGB Syria donations » PAGE 20