There's some key issues for the new NDP government to address in the Agriculture sector

Oct 06, 2023

The NDP will form the next Provincial Government winning a clear majority under incoming Premier Wab Kinew in Tuesday's election.

During the last session and throughout the election campaign Diljeet Brar was the NDP's voice on Agriculture.

There's every expectation he'll move into the role of agriculture Minister, but the decision around Ministerial roles rests with the new Premier as he forms his cabinet.

We could just see a change in seats as Derek Johnson, the former agriculture minister under the Progressive Conservatives, is also headed back to the legislature.

Farm groups are congratulating the Premier designate and his team on the win.

The Keystone Agricultural Producers general manager Brenna Mahoney says they look forward to working with the new government on some key priorities for the ag sector.

"Removing the Education Property Tax on Farmland, to Right-to-Repair Laws for Farm Machinery, Improving Manitoba’s Infrastructure Network, Addressing Labour Shortages, and Better Healthcare and Safety in Rural Areas."

Manitoba Beef president Matthew Atkinson says they look forward to talking about a number of key issues from improvements to BRM programming - to ensure beef producers are on a level playing field as other sectors, to agricultural Crown lands, water management, infrastructure, trade, labour issues and recognition for ecosystem services provided through beef production.

Rick Préjet chair of Manitoba Pork says hog farmers across the province, and the over 22,000 Manitobans who work in the sector, will continue to build on the collaborative working relationship that’s been developed with the NDP over the past few years.

All three groups also commented on the progress that was made on some key ag issues under the PC government with former Ag Minister Derek Johnson

Source : Pembinavalley online

Video: Winter Canola Trial in Mississippi | Can It Work for Double Cropping? | Pioneer Agronomy

Can winter canola open new opportunities for growers in the Mid-South? In this agronomy update from Noxubee County, Mississippi, Pioneer agronomist Gus Eifling shares an early look at a first-year winter canola trial and what farmers are learning from the field.

Planted in late October on 30-inch rows, the crop is now entering the bloom stage and progressing quickly. In this video, we walk through current field conditions, fertility management, and how timing could make this crop a valuable option for double-cropping soybeans or cotton.

If harvest timing lines up with early May, growers may be able to transition directly into another crop during ideal planting windows. Ongoing field trials will help determine whether canola could become a viable rotational option for the region.

Watch for:

How winter canola is performing in its first season in this Mississippi field

Why growers chose 30-inch rows for this trial

What the crop looks like as it moves from bolting into bloom

Fertility strategy, including nitrogen and sulfur applications

How canola harvest timing could enable double-cropping with soybeans or cotton

Upcoming trials comparing soybeans after canola vs. traditional planting

As more growers look for ways to maximize acres and diversify rotations, experiments like this help determine what new crops might fit into existing systems.