Let’s use objective scientists determine where to place new hog barns

First off, lots of moisture for the time being to get all crops going, and even some that farmers reseeded or will need to, either because of frost, drought, can you believe it, and now all in the same swoop, because of drowned out spots. During several trips to Winnipeg saw lots of water and shiny fields, where some farmers so concerned with the top 21/2 to three inches of seedbed, and maybe didn’t realize how much moisture the soil held below that. What a wonderful time of the year, as almost by magic trees green, the grass gets long, and lilac bushes stop blooming.

I’m not sure if this applies to all regions – but here’s hoping everyone gets their desired share of moisture this year. However, keep in mind, if we are in charge of that department, we’d most likely mess that up, too. Politicians might even find a way to tax that, too.

Let me be clear, on the whole issue of climate change and carbon taxes to try to stop the climate from changing … In Manitoba, the climate changes four times a year and there is nothing we can do about that.

I’m told, when the 2017 carbon tax kicks in Alberta in 2017, the cost will add approximately $200,000 to $400,000 to every colony’s operating expense. It drives me nuts, to use this person’s wording.

And yes, I’m all in favour of being careful how we treat the environment and the land. However, science, with objective people working within it and not allowing politicians to direct research outcomes and computer modeling, is helping us all to feed more people, with better food, and sustaining the soil, believe it or not.

I love to write about the hog industry, not simply just because, but because things change so often and so rapidly, just like the spring season, grey and barren, one week and sprouting, blossoming, letting out another.

Did you know that in Iowa, hog producers build hog barns, and grow hogs, not explicitly to market them, but far more important to them is the stuff many call waste, but to them, it is manure with huge nutrient benefits. In Iowa, where corn is king, they raise hogs for the nutrient value because corn does so well with manure. So, here is an Iowa state where they encourage hog production because of the natural fertilizers they create, while in Manitoba since 2011 when then-premier Gary Doer penned the legislation and rammed it through the legislature banning any kind of hog expansion, and thwarting the land from using the resultant natural fertilizers.

While maybe not seeing changes overnight, the Manitoba Pork Council is hoping and for good reason, the new PC government may well use science-based decisions where to expand hog production, and not use political boundaries like the last government did. •