Agriculture – The Carillon

SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC THE CARILLON

Shepardess and author Anna Hunter holds wool from her farm Long Way Homestead, a wool and fiber farm in Ste Genevieve. Hunter just released her second book The True Cost of Wool, which examines the wool industry in Canada.

True Cost of Wool examines economic, environmental impacts of wool industry

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 4 minute read Tuesday, Jun. 24, 2025

A Ste Genevieve shepherdess and author has just released her second book on wool with an eye on the industry in Canada.

Anna Hunter’s newly released book The True Cost of Wool: A Vision for Revitalizing the Canadian Industry examines the environmental, economic, and social impacts of the Canadian wool industry.

A first-generation sheep farmer, Hunter established her 140-acre farm 10 years ago after moving to Ste Genevieve from Vancouver where she owned a community based yarn shop named Baad Anna’s. After a year-and-a-half of faming, Hunter and her husband realized that there was no place locally to process their wool so in 2018 they opened a wool mill, which was at the time the only known wool mill in Manitoba.

“Through this experience I just realized how challenging it was for sheep farmers that wanted to focus on wool production and what was happening in our Canadian wool industry, that’s where the education and advocacy work came into play, which is why I ended up writing this book,” she said.

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Ag in the Classroom volunteer enjoys lively session at Sprague

Wes Keating 5 minute read Preview

Ag in the Classroom volunteer enjoys lively session at Sprague

Wes Keating 5 minute read Monday, Jun. 23, 2025

When Agriculture in the Classroom volunteer Alex Wolf asked the Grade 3-4 class at Ross L. Gray School at Sprague what they had learned during her Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month presentation, the two quickest answers were that crickets were eaten like potato chips by some people and that bison are taller than cows.

But during the 30-minute power point presentation, it was mostly the class asking questions as the Seine Rat Roseau Watershed technician covered both familiar and unfamiliar ground for these rural Manitoba students.

Wolf told the students about crops grown in Manitoba and the different types of animals raised for meat and fibre.

Unlike some of their city cousins, all these students know that milk and eggs come from cows and chickens, not the supermarket. They were, however, somewhat puzzled when the subject of fertilized and unfertilized eggs came up, wondering why there were no roosters in egg-laying barns.

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Monday, Jun. 23, 2025

WES KEATING THE CARILLON

Cards with pictures ranging from watermelon and apple juice, to pizza and grilled chicken, provided a challenge for students in the “What’s in your Lunch?” guessing game.

Vassar producer happy to supply local market

Wes Keating 7 minute read Preview

Vassar producer happy to supply local market

Wes Keating 7 minute read Sunday, Jun. 22, 2025

When Trevor and Melissa Goulet moved on to 10 acres east of Steinbach in the Rural Municipality of La Broquerie it was their dream to provide a spacious home for their horses. That was back in 2011, but that dream was dashed two years later, when the municipality refused to give them a permit to build a barn on their property for the two thoroughbred race horses they purchased in 2012.

So the Goulets packed up and moved. Their new farm was a quarter section of bush and pasture eight miles north of Vassar, where they added raising sheep to their breeding of purebred thoroughbred race horses.

But raising sheep for meat proved not to be the most lucrative of enterprises and the Goulets shifted their attention to beef. Today, meat-lovers who do their shopping at Sprague, Woodridge and Buffalo Point are serving up ground beef, roasts and steaks from purebred Simmental cattle from Goulet Farms.

Goulet is happy to have found a local market for his beef and operators of stores like Carl and Kay’s Fine Foods in Sprague are equally pleased to have a ready supply of quality beef for their customers, without the added cost of freight.

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Sunday, Jun. 22, 2025

WES KEATING THE CARILLON

With ears perked forward, Trevor Goulet’s 11-year-old stallion, Hay Listen Up, lives up to his name.

From field to foam: Brewing beer from Manitoba’s bounty

Lori Penner 9 minute read Preview

From field to foam: Brewing beer from Manitoba’s bounty

Lori Penner 9 minute read Sunday, Jun. 22, 2025

In the heart of Manitoba, a brewing revolution is quietly taking place—one that’s rooted in the province’s rich agricultural traditions. Craft breweries like Trans Canada Brewing (TCB) are drawing inspiration from local ingredients to create beer that tells a unique story. For beer enthusiasts and agriculture fans alike, learning how beer is made—starting with the soil—is a truly fascinating experience.

In early March, a beer-tasting event hosted by the Neubergthal Heritage Foundation provided an ideal platform for locals to connect with the agriculture behind Manitoba’s craft beer scene. Held at the Neubergthal Commons Barn, the event featured Scott Sawatzky, head brewer at Trans Canada Brewing, as well as sales team member and certified beer server Dustin McCaughan.

Sawatzky, who has been with the brewery for seven years, took the guests on a detailed journey through the brewing process, emphasizing the importance of high-quality ingredients. The evening’s focus wasn’t just on tasting the beer, but understanding the care and precision involved in creating each brew, from the fields to the glass.

While craft beer has become a growing trend across Canada, the brewing process itself remains steeped in tradition. For Sawatzky, it’s all about balancing the age-old techniques with modern innovations—and above all, paying attention to every detail. He shares, “We are a proudly independent company. If we expect people to choose our product over multinational brands, it’s important they understand how we produce our beer and why we take so much care in crafting each recipe.”

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Sunday, Jun. 22, 2025

LORI PENNER THE CARILLON

Dustin McCaughan and Scott Sawatzky of Trans Canada Brewery during their beer tasting even in the Village of Neubergthal.

Old Kleefeld landfill site now an outdoor classroom

Wes Keating 5 minute read Preview

Old Kleefeld landfill site now an outdoor classroom

Wes Keating 5 minute read Friday, Jun. 20, 2025

The RM of Hanover took recycling to another level when the municipality permanently closed the Kleefeld landfill site on Highway 52 and had it transformed into the Tourond Creek Discovery Centre, which has been described as a mini version of Oak Hammock Marsh.

The Discovery Centre hosted the regional envirothon competition for high school students there in April.

The envirothon, in its 28th year, is sponsored by the Manitoba Watershed Association, and teaches students about the environment and sees students from across the province compete regionally, then provincially, and moving on to a national competition in July.

This was the first time the Seine Rat Roseau River Watershed District hosted the East Regionals Manitoba Envirothon and the first time it was held in the Southeast.

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Friday, Jun. 20, 2025

SRRWD

The lookout tower on the far bank of this pond provides a perfect spot for students to do a little birdwatching, or perhaps to get a birds’ eye view of a variety of water plants, during a tour of the Discovery Centre.

MB Hydro cautions farmers after recent incidents

Greg Vandermeulen 2 minute read Preview

MB Hydro cautions farmers after recent incidents

Greg Vandermeulen 2 minute read Tuesday, May. 20, 2025

Damage to Manitoba Hydro towers and poles have prompted the crown corporation to issue a seasonal reminder asking producers to be careful.

In a May 9 press release, Hydro stated that incidents in the previous weeks included one which resulted in the loss of a transmission tower on Manitoba Hydro’s Bipole 1 High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission line near Gross Isle.

Other incidents involving distribution poles have occurred in the Russell and Oakville areas.

“While there were no impacts to electrical services due to the HVDC contact, damage to overhead power lines, poles and towers can result in outages affecting service to hospitals, police and fire stations that can impact public safety as well as other customers,” the press release said. “Contact with overhead powerlines also presents a significant electrocution risk to agricultural producers.”

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Tuesday, May. 20, 2025

MANITOBA HYDRO

Manitoba Hydro crews put up a new transmission tower in the Gross Isle area, replacing a tower that was knocked down by a piece of farm machinery.

Quick crop establishment lowers flea beetle risk

KEITH GABERT, CANOLA COUNCIL OF CANADA 3 minute read Preview

Quick crop establishment lowers flea beetle risk

KEITH GABERT, CANOLA COUNCIL OF CANADA 3 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2025

Flea beetles remain the top ranked canola pest, according to the latest grower survey. The Canola Council of Canada 2024 grower survey asked respondents to name the diseases, weeds and insects of greatest economic risk to canola. Flea beetles were the most common answer in 2024, as they were in the 2022 and 2020 surveys.

While flea beetles seem to be unavoidable, growers can reduce the risk. John Gavloski, entomologist with Manitoba Agriculture, says canola crops that reach the four-leaf stage within three to four weeks of seeding are less likely to need protection from a foliar pesticide spray. Canola crops that require in-season foliar sprays are often slow-establishing and non-competitive.

Weather can be a major factor in rapid stand establishment. Canola sown in warm, moist soil will emerge quickly and uniformly. Warm conditions without moisture will often favour flea beetles over the crop. Whatever the weather, the following agronomy steps put the crop in the best possible scenario against flea beetles.

Target 5-8 plants per square foot

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Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2025

CANOLA COUNCIL OF CANADA

Flea beetles pictured on canola.

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“Grow with us” say garden centre owners

Wes Keating 6 minute read Preview

“Grow with us” say garden centre owners

Wes Keating 6 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2025

The owners of the Green Valley Garden Centre, just north of Grunthal, invite gardeners in the Southeast to keep growing with them.

And Sheldon and Carrie Enns know more than a little bit about growing. In the 16 years they have owned the garden centre, they have doubled the size of their greenhouse, and tripled the size of their family.

Carrie Enns, an elementary school teacher, says they are blessed to be able to enjoy a lifestyle that allows both husband and wife to have the entire summer off with their three children.

Carrie has been an early years teacher for two decades. She says this is her first year at Kleefeld and she previously taught at Grunthal, Mitchell and Steinbach. Before they bought the greenhouse, Sheldon worked for a company that created financial planning software.

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Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2025

WES KEATING THE CARILLON

Continuing the tradition of hand-seeding started by the previous owners of Green Valley Garden Centre, Carrie carefully gets another tray of annuals ready to be started in a heated seed bed.

Oswalds are happy to be doing ‘most important job on earth’

Wes Keating 8 minute read Preview

Oswalds are happy to be doing ‘most important job on earth’

Wes Keating 8 minute read Monday, Apr. 28, 2025

When Brent Oswald is asked why he believes farming is the most important job on earth, the third generation owner of Cottonwood Farms in the Friedensfeld area has a ready answer.

“Everybody’s gotta eat.”

And the Oswald family has been putting food on Manitoba tables for nearly 100 years. Their farm on Ekron/Oswald Road, southeast of Steinbach, will be a Centennial Farm in another five years.

Brent Oswald, featured in Agriculture in the Classroom’s Follow the Farmer series in January, gave hundreds of Manitoba school children a video tour of his Friedensfeld farm and threw in a lesson on growing corn.

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Monday, Apr. 28, 2025

WES KEATING THE CARILLON

Brent and Kirsty with feed samples at the Oswald Farms feed mill which produces feed for their broilers and layers as well as 19 other farms.

Mother Nature spoils attendance for first day of Farm Toy Show

Wes Keating 6 minute read Preview

Mother Nature spoils attendance for first day of Farm Toy Show

Wes Keating 6 minute read Monday, Apr. 28, 2025

Farmers are used to having their best laid plans interrupted by the quirks of Mother Nature, and so it was for this year’s exhibitors at the annual Farm Toy and Collectibles Show at the Clearspring Centre.

A late spring snow storm made for a slow day Friday, but most were more than happy with the crowd that showed up for the second day of the event.

Brent and Rachel Chubaty, who have been running the event for years, said in spite of the weather, many of the regulars were back and a few new ones were added.

There had been 120 tables booked, Chubaty said, but the phone started ringing off the hook as the weekend and the threat of a storm approached. Some of the regulars, especially those in that group of more senior collectors, cancelled because of the weather.

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Monday, Apr. 28, 2025

WES KEATING THE CARILLON

Richard Wozniak added variety to this year’s Farm Toy and Collectibles Show by bringing along his collection of unique construction equipment toys.

MEF adds more eggs to school breakfast menu

Wes Keating 4 minute read Preview

MEF adds more eggs to school breakfast menu

Wes Keating 4 minute read Friday, Apr. 25, 2025

The question of the day at Parc La Salle School earlier this month was, “How many eggs can you eat on an empty stomach?” The answer is, only one, for then your stomach would no longer be empty.

And the Manitoba Egg Farmers are making sure that there will be fewer empty stomachs starting the day in hundreds of Manitoba Schools with the announcement they will be donating 10,000 dozen eggs to Manitoba Child Nutrition Council’s school breakfast program.

Parc La Salle’s resident chef John Holmes had lots of help in the kitchen, as representatives from the Child Nutrition Council and the Manitoba Egg Farmers joined him to scramble up a batch of eggs for students to launch the MEF egg donation program.

Parc La Salle teacher Deana Matthys served up the results of their efforts to her Grade 2 class, and then the students were treated to a video presentation on “everything eggs”, from the farm to the supermarket, followed by a question and answer period with MEF marketing manager Adriana Findlay.

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Friday, Apr. 25, 2025

WES KEATING THE CARILLON

Catherine Kroeker-Klassen whips up a batch of scrambled eggs under the watchful eye of Parc La Salle chef John Holmes.

El Niño, La Niña, and the 2025 Forecast: what farmers can expect this season

Lori Penner 6 minute read Preview

El Niño, La Niña, and the 2025 Forecast: what farmers can expect this season

Lori Penner 6 minute read Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025

Every farmer wishes they had a crystal ball to predict what Manitoba’s growing season will bring. Will it be another dry year, or will mud-slicked fields make seeding a challenge? While no one can see the future, there is one global weather phenomenon that offers valuable clues for long-range forecasting - and it’s shaping predictions for the 2025 crop season.

Scott Kehler, meteorologist, president and chief scientist of Weatherlogics, has spent years analyzing weather patterns and developing forecasting tools to help farmers and industry professionals prepare for whatever Mother Nature has in store.

With a bachelor’s and master’s degree in meteorology from the University of Manitoba, Kehler specializes in weather research, improving prediction methods, and analyzing past climate events. Despite his focus on research, he remains passionate about day-to-day forecasting, particularly for high-impact weather events.

During his presentation at St Jean Farm Days in January, Kehler shed light on two significant climate patterns - El Niño and La Niña - and how they consistently shape winter weather trends across North America.

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Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025

SUPPLIED

Scott Kehler, meteorologist, president and chief scientist of Weatherlogics.

Battling the bugs: Manitoba’s top 10 insect concerns of 2024

Lori Penner 5 minute read Preview

Battling the bugs: Manitoba’s top 10 insect concerns of 2024

Lori Penner 5 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025

Insects troubling to farmers haven’t changed much since 2024, but at St Jean Farm Days, Manitoba Agriculture entomologist John Gavloski shared which critters to watch for, which have made it back on the annual top 10 list and which one is no longer considered a top threat.

As someone who has monitored agricultural pests for decades, Gavloski provides invaluable insights to farmers, agronomists, and those working in agriculture.

“It’s a similar list to last year’s,” Gavloski noted. “The main difference is that Bertha armyworm made it back on the list, replacing diamondback moths, which weren’t as much of an issue this year.”

While some insect populations have declined, others have surged, demanding vigilance from Manitoba’s producers. Here’s a breakdown of the most concerning pests of 2024.

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Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025

LORI PENNER THE CARILLON

John Gavloski, an entomologist with Manitoba Agriculture, recently shared his annual list of the top 10 insect concerns affecting Manitoba’s crops in 2024.

Annual ag show draws hundreds to St. Jean

Lori Penner 5 minute read Preview

Annual ag show draws hundreds to St. Jean

Lori Penner 5 minute read Monday, Feb. 24, 2025

For nearly four decades, the community of St Jean-Baptiste has been the place for “Canada’s Biggest Little Farm Show.” Now in its 38th year, St Jean Farm Days is still going strong.

The annual event drew hundreds of local producers and exhibitors to the Centennial Hall on Jan. 8 and 9, to connect with other farmers, ag specialists, and dealers from across the region.

Once again, visitors enjoyed the same great food that Farm Days is known for, including a continental breakfast and homemade cuisine featuring the region’s signature pea soup and open-faced sandwiches. This year, however, marked a significant change as the Knights of Columbus, who have prepared and served the food at Farm Days for 37 years, stepped down.

Gilbert Sabourin, who heads up the organizing committee along with Brunel Sabourin, Jennifer Sabourin, and Wayne Klassen, explained the transition. “Our parents were a part of the original Farm Days, and we’ve stepped up over the last few years. The average age of the Knights was getting up there. A lot of them moved away from town, so they disbanded the group last summer. This was their main fundraiser all those years. Anything they made went right back into the community, so it’s kind of the end of an era.”

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Monday, Feb. 24, 2025

LORI PENNER THE CARILLON

Farm Days gave producers and ag specialists a chance to share information about everything from equipment and chemicals, to seed and crop insurance.

Harry Siemens: A voice for farmers, a legacy of integrity

Lori Penner 7 minute read Preview

Harry Siemens: A voice for farmers, a legacy of integrity

Lori Penner 7 minute read Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025

For more than five decades, veteran broadcaster and agricultural journalist Harry Siemens has been a voice for farmers, ensuring their stories are told with fairness, accuracy, and integrity.

His dedication to journalism and advocacy was recently recognized with the King Charles III Coronation Medal, an honour presented through the office of Senator Don Plett.

The award acknowledges Siemens’ lifetime of contributions to agricultural journalism and his tireless efforts to bring news and information to the farming community.

The Winkler based Siemens, who began his broadcasting career in 1971, was both surprised and humbled by the recognition. “I got this letter from Senator Don Plett’s office, saying I was given this award for my dedication and service.”

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Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025

LORI PENNER THE CARILLON

Relaxing after leading the invocation at Farm Days in St. Jean.

Sundown farmer wins watershed district award for rotational grazing, cover crops

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 4 minute read Preview

Sundown farmer wins watershed district award for rotational grazing, cover crops

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 4 minute read Friday, Feb. 21, 2025

Sundown area farmers Randy and Joyska Tkachyk have been practicing regenerative agriculture sporadically for 15 years and intensively for the past four years. Because of their passion for responsible farming and eagerness to protect the environment, they have won the Manitoba Watershed Association’s Seine Rat Roseau Watershed District Award for regenerative agricultural practices on their beef farm.

“(They’re) really big into regenerative agriculture and Randy is also open and willing to have people come to his farm to see what he is doing and showing them exactly what it looks like and what you can do in your (farm),” said SRRWD district manager Joey Pankiw.

Tkachyk has a YouTube channel called Life on a Manitoba Farm where he shares his farming experiences.

Tkachyk said he was honoured by the award and that it is only a recognition, but that it’s more rewarding to see the results on the farm and what the outcomes are for the future.

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Friday, Feb. 21, 2025

August 9, 2025

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