Harry Siemens – Concern is the word from agricultural organizations in Manitoba over proposed changes that will expand the scope of the province’s Employment Standards Code to cover most agricultural employees. The Employment Standards Code outlines the minimum standards employers and employees not covered by collective agreements must meet in their working relationship. It covers most employees under provincial jurisdiction.
The Canadian Marketing Alliance Group is much bigger than you may think
Siemens Says – Barry Reimer, a producer from Killarney, Manitoba took his own concerns about the Canadian Wheat Board’s monopoly to Manitoba AG Days in Brandon in January and received a rude awakening, but a resounding show of support, too. The organizers of the show asked him to stop handing out his flyers after receiving huge complaints from the CWB …
Center for Global Food Issues Warns Farmers Can Either Produce Food or Fuel
Harry Siemens – The director of the Hudson Institute’s Center for Global Food Issues warns society will ultimately have to decide whether farmers should be producing food or fuel. The U.S. government recently mandated the increased use of biodiesel and ethanol fuel. Center for Global Food issues director Dennis Avery estimates global farm output will have to double just to …
Ulitmately the Consumer will have to pay more…..
Harry Siemens – As we come to the end of this year, several thoughts come to mind. The first is how things have changed for the main sectors in agriculture: Grain and special crops and the cattle and hog industries. Twelve months ago, the grains industry was wondering what 2007 would be like prices wise, having just come off an …
Harry’s Christmas Message
From Laurelle, Harry, Judith, and Lynn Siemens, Winkler, Manitoba Canada: Three of the most powerful men of their time that first Christmas focused on Jesus – Psalm 148:11, 13 – Kings of the earth, and all people; princes , and all judges of the earth. . .Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; …
My Second Chance
On Day Three of my recovery from my quadruple by-pass surgery, my partner in the next bed, who was going home that day, received a visitor who had the same surgery several years back. He looked at both us, and said, “Guys, listen up! Appreciate the fact you have just received a ‘Second Chance’. Wow what a statement and what …
Maple Leaf Meats in Brandon gearing for twin shifts….
With the addition of a second shift at its Brandon, Man processing plant, Maple Leaf Foods will ramp up in slaughter capacity over the next six to eight weeks. According to Maple Leaf spokesperson Jeanette Jones, the current hog slaughter capacity of 45,000 to 50,000 hogs per week will climb to at least 75,000 per week by the end of …
I Stand at the Crossroads
Harry Siemens – There comes a time in one’s life when you have to stand up and take notice. I’m at such a point in my life right now. I found out on August 14, that three possibly four of my arteries to my heart are blocked from75 to 95 percent. That was the message Dr. Hussain gave me when …
Moscow – Hog Industry Revival
Harry Siemens – Jim Long, President, and CEO, Genesus Genetics reports in his weekly hog letter how the hog industry is revitalizing in Russia. He and his Genesus group participated recently in the VIV Moscow trade show. “It’s an exciting time for the Russian Pork Industry,” says Long. “After twenty years of little or no investment in infrastructure, the levels …
Buyers of Canadian Grain Concerned About Increased Costs
By Harry Siemens – The Canadian International Grains Institute reports buyers of Canadian grain, both international and domestic, are expressing concern over increasing costs. With the North American ethanol industry growing so rapidly, the grains industry has found it difficult to keep up with demand for both grain for fuel and grain for livestock. CIGI Director of Feed, Dr. Rex …