Agronomists from across Manitoba will discuss the challenges of choosing a canola variety that is best suited for your field. Genetic advancements for yield, disease resistance, pod shatter and specialty traits are happening quicker than ever before and have real implications for performance on a field level. Discussions will be centered around how variety selection decisions are currently being made; what resources are available for farmers and agronomists to make these decisions and what a future wish list might look like for canola.
2025
Canola seedlings are always at risk of a flea beetle attack, and their defences are fortified with seed treatments. In some growing seasons, a less common threat appears in the form of an aster leafhopper, wielding a phytoplasma weapon, to assail the health and yield of canola plants. Join Tyler as he navigates the yellow flower attackers.
Ron Kostyshyn was first elected as the MLA for Swan River from 2011 to 2016, and was elected as the MLA for Dauphin in 2023.
He previously served as the provincial minister of agriculture and as the reeve for Mossey River Municipality. During his first tenure as agriculture minister, Kostyshyn helped to improve food safety and support Manitoba producers. He has also served on various boards including the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, Manitoba Conservation Commission, Intermountain Conservation District, Ethelbert District Veterinary Board and Farm Stewardship Association of Manitoba.
He and his wife, Judy, raised two daughters and ran a family mixed farming operation for 40 years in rural Manitoba.
Betty Green is a cattle rancher from the Interlake region of Manitoba. Betty, her husband Robert and grandson Curtis own G7 Ranch in Fisher Branch. They run 600 Simmental cross cows, a small herd of Simmental fullbloods and some purebred Charolais. The ranch’s goal is to background and sell high performance crossbred tan calves.
Mary-Jane Orr is the General Manager for Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives Inc where she leads a dedicated team to advance Manitoba beef and forage industries through engaging stakeholders, evaluating on-farm innovation, and extension for sustainability of farmers, the public, and the environment. She grew up on a mixed farm in southwest Manitoba and completed her B.Sc. in Botany from Brandon University. Mary-Jane went on to hold a PhD from Purdue University where she studied soil microbial ecology in agricultural systems, is a Professional Agrologist, Certified Crop Advisor, and Manure Management Planner. Mary-Jane deeply values the opportunity to collaborate with producers, researchers, education providers, and all stakeholders in field-testing management practices and growing understanding of improved production in Manitoba.
Kim Ominski is a professor in the Department of Animal Science and the Director of the National Centre for Livestock and the Environment at the University of Manitoba. Since joining the University, Kim has established a multidisciplinary research program focused on the productivity and sustainability of beef cattle production systems in Western Canada. Kim was honored to receive the Canadian Beef Industry Award for Outstanding Research and Innovation in 2023.
