By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Sep 13, 2023 | 11:42 AM

Manitoba Progressive Conservatives are promising to permanently cut in half rental fees for agricultural Crown lands as part of a series of farm-related election promises.

Derek Johnson, a cabinet minister seeking re-election in Interlake-Gimli, said producers have been under stress since the drought of 2021, and a cut that was put in place temporarily was made permanent.

The Tories are also promised triple funding for veterinary service districts, which maintain clinics across the province, if they win the Oct. 3 election.

Johnson said that would attract new veterinarians to rural Manitoba and improve services.

The Tories also promised to double-fund the Winnipeg Humane Society for the One Health Program, which provides veterinary care in underserved rural areas.

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Advance polls for the election open Sept. 23.

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4-H Canada will soon start the search for a new CEO.

Current CEO, Shannon Benner, has led the organization for over a decade, but will leave on Sept. 22 to pursue another opportunity.

Benner led the complete re-organization of 4-H Canada resulting in an updated governance, strategy, and programs, as well as strengthened partnerships and financial health. Under her leadership, the 4-H movement in Canada transitioned from a federated model to an accreditation model that requires provinces to participate in a process focused on ensuring national standards across the country.

Benner said it is bittersweet.

“I am so proud of all that the 4-H movement has accomplished and know that the movement will continue to grow with the support of the many dedicated staff and volunteers across this country who are all highly invested in 4-H’s continued success,” she said.

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Farm Credit Canada (FCC) has entered a long-term partnership with Western Fair District to deliver information to Canadian producers.

This includes new on-farm research called Innovation Farms Ontario powered by AgExpert, located at Haggerty Creek near Bothwell, Ontario. This research farm is part of a network of Canadian demonstration farms where technology is developed and tested.

The results and benefits of different technologies in the emerging agriculture robotics and automation industry are shared with producers.

Haggerty Creek Farms president Chuck Baresich said practical research and on-farm testing on new technologies will help farmers confidently adopt new systems with less risk.

“FCC’s support will allow us to tap into incredible potential that will increase productivity for producers and provide them with the ability to put their labour into high value work, Baresich said. “The new resources complement the great research we have conducted with OMAFRA and the AgRobotics Working Group.”

The partnership will also support The Grove at Western Fair District, a growing agriculture and food business innovation hub that is home to 32 companies.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW