Agriculture Now
thecarillon.com
FEBRUARY 19, 2026
FEATURE STORY Auctioneer takes shot at world title See story on page C2
GREG VANDERMEULEN THE CARILLON Visitors at the Feb. 14 Mennonite Heritage Winter Festival in Steinbach had a sleigh ride down memory lane thanks to the Southeast Manitoba Draft Horse Association. The foggy morning gave an other-worldly feeling as the sleigh found paths past historic house-barns at the museum.
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Virden auctioneer takes shot at world title
by WENDY KING T he thing about being a professional auc- tioneer is it really is a calling. Bid calling in the cattle market takes natural talent, knowledge of the market, a knack for managing the crowd, having a great chant and more. And there is one other critical component: acting as an ambassador for an industry that represents thousands of produc- ers. Virden’s Brennin Jack, 36, is the branch man- ager at Heartland Livestock Services Virden, and as the Runner-Up Champion at a recent competition in North Dakota, he’s slated to compete at the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC) this June, making it his 11th shot in a row aiming for the title of World Livestock Auctioneer Champion. The WLAC takes place in St. Onge, S.D., on June 17. He was within spitting distance of the cham- pionship in 2025, when he was Reserve World Champion — the No. 2 spot in the world. Auc- tioneering is a challenge he enjoys. “The best thing about it is, we get to conduct sales all across North America, and most of the time are part of people’s really good days when they’re selling their cattle, especially in this high market. You’re achieving something for these people that only happens to them once a year, and sometimes, you know, if a producer really hits a home run, it can be a life-changing deal,” says Brennin Jack. Jack says a good auctioneer needs to know the value of the product they’re selling, wheth- er it’s cattle or cars, to bring full value to the seller. “Obviously, you have to have somebody that can take a hold of the sale and control what’s happening. We’re dealing with some serious money here every single day, so you have to have someone that’s going to take the job seri- ously. And if you sound really good while doing it, that’s just an added bonus,” he says. It’s the people part of the industry that makes the trait of thoughtful representation critically important for a champion auction- eer. The winner of the WLAC is an ambassa- dor for the Livestock Marketing Association (which represents over 800 member markets in Canada and the U.S., and the entire indus- try in general). “You have to have somebody with some integrity, obviously, and a people person. Somebody that’s going to be asked questions that they never thought they were going to be asked. You could be in an inner city school, or in the middle of nowhere, and have someone face you with a question that you need to be able to answer in a politically correct way,” he says. In preparation for the questions portion, WLAC competitors are isolated and smart de- vices are collected to ensure a level playing field. Competition questions are worth 25 per cent of the overall score, an indicator of just how important it is to maintain equanimity, both in competition and in real life (75 per cent of the score goes to the actual auction portion). Jack says questions could include: “What made you enter the contest?” “What would you do if you were crowned world champion?” What would you say to a group of inner-city school students about meat produc- tion?” “What’s the biggest concern in the live- stock industry today?” “It’s a lot of open-ended questions, and how you answer, and how you articulate and if you
WENDY KING BRANDON SUN Virden’s Brennin Jack, 36, is the branch manager at Heartland Livestock Services Virden, and as the Runner-Up Champion at a recent competition in North Dakota, he’s slated to compete at the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC) this June.
kind of goes back to the 2011 Canadian con- test. I won the contest and was voted most congenial at the same time. You know, I won the contest that year, but the other competi- tors wrote my name down as the most conge- nial,” he says. “Well, that buckle has always stayed with me because that just shows that you can win the contest and you can be a nice guy. And that’s what I try to promote at every contest. It doesn’t matter if you’re my arch-rival and we’re going head-to-head for the pickup truck, or some brand new guy that barely got in there. I’m trying to help them all, and in the end it helps me as I focus on helping somebody else. It kind of makes my mindset be a little clearer
on the tasks that I have at hand, too. So it’s a win-win for everybody.” Jack says the WLAC is unique — both fun to do, and a highly competitive challenge having run 65 years with only three Canadian cham- pions. “I’m ready now to kind of move along and, you know, we have a real shot at winning this deal in 2026. If we get the right set of judges and we have the right great day, it’s very possi- ble. I’ve definitely got a big target on my back, that’s for sure,” Jack said. “But I’m sure hoping that I can get my name on the wall and drive away with that pickup truck one of these years.”
can keep yourself on the tracks is really what they’re looking for — somebody that can hold their ground and be professional throughout the entire interview while the lights are shining on them and the judges are trying to pick holes in everything that you say,” he says. “It’s a unique part of that contest, especially when the judges are from radio, from journal- ism all across North America, breed associa- tions, auctioneers. It’s a wide demographic of judges all looking for something different.” A champion not only faces outward to the public, but inward to people in the industry as well, including being a mentor to new auction- eers. “I’ve always tried to help everybody and that
Playing with the big toys
TIM SMITH THE BRANDON SUN
Siblings Parker, Wade and Travis of Kola, Manitoba check out machinery during Manitoba Ag Days 2026 at the Keystone Centre.
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SUPPLIED
The 2024 winner from Manitoba was the St Jean Fire Department.
Growing Home program returns
17. Last year’s first prize winners in- cluded funds for arena upgrades in Alberta, a daycare in Saskatchewan, a playground in Boissevain, MB and an MRI in Ontario. Since 2023, this program had dis- tributed $335,000 to 19 organiza- tions. To learn more or to apply, visit ag- solutions.ca/growinghome.
“We are extremely excited to open nominations for 2026 and to contin- ue strengthening and investing in Canada’s farming communities.” Until Feb. 28, BASF customers can nominate organizations they feel make an impact. The 12 winning organizations can qualify for four prizes of $25,000, four prizes of $10,000 or four prizes of $5,000. One of each prize will be presented in each eligible province. Voting runs from March 31 to April
tions Canada said the program has gained momentum over the last four years. “Last year’s finalists showed how diverse the impact of this program can be, from supporting the devel- opment of a new school playground to helping fund the purchase of a new MRI machine for a local hospi- tal,” she said. “This community in- spired initiative has allowed BASF to support people and the places that are near and dear to them.”
ada’s agriculture community to sup- port the organizations that in their words “strengthen the fabric of rural Canada and make a difference in their hometown.” Last year, thousands of Canadians nominated and voted for local or- ganizations that help rural commu- nities including childcare services, agricultural societies and hospital foundations. Andrea McConnell, customer solutions for BASF Agricultural Solu-
by GREG VANDERMEULEN C ommunities across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Ontario have an opportunity to access up to $25,000 from a prize pool of $160,000, thanks to BASF Ag- ricultural Solutions and their Grow- ing Home with BASF community program. Back for its fourth year, the pro- gram is designed to empower Can-
Bayer to build Winnipeg canola facility
by GREG VANDERMEULEN B ayer Crop Science will build a new canola research and de- velopment facility in Winnipeg in what is one of their largest invest- ments in Canada to date. The company announced the $45 million facility at the end of January, saying the new facility will strength- en Canada’s leadership in canola innovation by establishing what they’re calling an “innovation” cen- tre. The facility will house seed devel- opment work for canola, camelina and winter canola, focusing on trait integration, yield trial seed process- ing and seed quality analysis. Antoine Bernet, country division head for Crop Science Canada said this long-term investment demon- strates their commitment to canola in Canada. “Through this world-class innova- tion facility, Canadian farmers will benefit from opportunities for faster genetic gains such as increased yield and enhanced agronomic perfor- mance,” he said. “It will also acceler- ate breeding efforts towards superior product performance and support expanded herbicide tolerance and weed control options.” Mike Graham, Crop Science re- search and development lead, said it’s the right time and location for this investment. “Over the last few years our cano- la breeding program has been com- pletely redesigned through next generation precision breeding capa- bilities,” he said. “These shifts have enabled us to greatly accelerate ge- netic gain, build industry- leading
disease resistance, drive increase in field data collection that improve product positioning, and enable de- livery at scale of expanded herbicide tolerance trait options.” Graham said this investment sup- ports the shift and will advance in- novation in canola and biofuels. Design for the facility begins in 2026, and Bayer expects it to be fully operational by the end of 2028. No other Bayer assets in Manitoba will be impacted. Their current Smartpark site in Winnipeg will continue to perform early breeding workflows for canola while the current Carman site will focus on being a multi-crop nursery field operation. SUPPLIED The facility will house seed development work for canola, camelina and winter canola, focusing on trait integration, yield trial seed processing and seed quality analysis.
SUPPLIED The facility will house seed development work for canola, camelina and winter canola, focusing on trait integration, yield trial seed processing and seed quality analysis.
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CONNOR MCDOWELL BRANDON SUN
The trained dogs put on a clinic for those in attendance.
Stock dog clinic to return to Minnedosa
by CONNOR MCDOWELL LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE A stock dog training program has announced it will return to Minnedosa to teach farm- ers how to use their animals to herd livestock. Making of a Stock Dog, a clinic aimed at upskilling ranchers and in- troducing newbies to dog handling, announced in January that it will re- turn to the Minnedosa Agricultural Society grounds from Aug. 14 to Aug. 16. The clinic was held in Minnedo- sa for the first time in 2025. It is set this year to be all-day event for three days, in which participants camp out for the duration and are provid- ed with meals. There is expected to be roughly 30 spots available. Anna Peters said the program is returning because of demand seen last year. “It was super popular. We had peo- ple come from Alberta, Montana, North Dakota, we had someone come from as far as Quebec,” Peters said. “There’s so many people that are just hungry for this stock dog stuff. It’s been so fun, I can’t even ex- plain it.” The event is free to audit for any- one who wants to come and watch, Peters said. The program this year will be split into beginners, people starting a young dog and advanced. There will be three clinicians, including Camp- bell Forsyth, a stock dog handler who has won several competitions since starting in the 1990s. “The dogs are everything,” Forsyth said in a recent interview. “All we are doing is helping people get the best out of their dog.” Forsyth trained to use stock dogs himself in clinics when he was look- ing for ways to steer his 600-head herd on his farm. Now he is commit- ted to the sport and competes avid- ly, and has participated in the event for several years now, including its debut in Minnedosa after it moved from Saskatchewan. Campbell said the goal this year is have more ranchers and others com- pete in the sport to develop their skills with their dogs. “My hope is that students can come and learn, and retain some of the knowledge when they go home so they can work their stock better,” he said. “Understand their dog; how he thinks, how he reacts to you. The dogs themselves have been bred for hundreds of years to do this. But if you don’t know how to bring it out of them, then you’re wasting a lot of genetics.” Kevin Donald, who founded the program with his wife Carole rough- ly 10 years ago, said that he started it to provide an affordable way for peo- ple to train. The inaugural year had 10 people, and it subsequently grew every year, he said, pulling people from all over Western Canada and south of the border. Importantly, the program is tai- lored to people training dogs for farm work, he said. In passing the successful program on the Manito- ba Stock Dog Association, he said he was careful to choose a group that put producers first. When asked why he favoured the sport of stock dog handling, the founder said that dogs have a special way about them. “The ability to have a partner that shows up every day, is happy to see you, never calls in sick, is excited no matter if you’re gone three minutes or three hours, is pretty powerful and cool,” he said. The reason the event is hosted in towns like Minnedosa is to bring
CONNER MCDOWELL BRANDON SUN A herding dog trails sheep at the Minnedosa Agricultural Grounds. The 2024 Show and Sale had a competition where handlers had to herd sheep through obstacles and into a holding pen.
CONNOR MCDOWELL BRANDON SUN
The dog prepares to move the sheep.
CONNOR MCDOWELL BRANDON SUN
A good stock dog is worth every penny invested into training.
some of that farm life to a broader audience, he said. In the past, the event has invited organizations like Ducks Unlimited Canada to connect with people as well, he said. “It’s a pretty cool opportunity for people to see the dogs. It’s also an amazing event for producers to be able to connect with the people set
out to support them.” Peters said organizers are still looking for more vendors who want to set up on the grounds for the 2026 event in Minnedosa. She said the best way to sign up is by messaging their Facebook page, “The Making of a Stock Dog.”
CONNOR MCDOWELL BRANDON SUN
Stock dogs are crucial for many.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2026
Never too early to think about new equipment
TIM SMITH BRANDON SUN
Visitors to Manitoba Ag Days 2026 explore some of the farm equipment on display at the Keystone Centre on Wednesday.
Cuts to AAFC are disastrous for Canada, says National Farmers Union
by CAM DAHL H ow did Canadian agriculture fare in 2025? What trends will continue from 2025 into 2026 and what does that mean for export dependent farmers? A year ago, I predicted that 2025 would be filled with global uncertainty that disrupted markets. I was hoping that this forecast would be proven wrong, but unfortunately it was not. Our neigh- bour to the south is focused on “America First”. U.S. policies are moving away from supporting free and open trade. Canadian agriculture faced a short pe- riod of tariffs but ultimately was protected by the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Howev- er, we don’t know if this will continue until the end of 2026 as CUSMA is up for review. This is the most important policy file for the 90 percent of farmers in Canada that depend on international markets. The agreement will either be extended to 2032, put into a cycle of annual reviews, or terminated. The outcome of the review will determine the fiscal sus- tainability of many farms across Canada, including Manitoba. Tariffs are a threat, but they are not the only pro- tectionist measures faced by farmers and food pro- cessors. The revival of country-of-origin labelling in the U.S. and individual state legislation that is frag- menting the North American market (e.g., Propo- sition 12 in California) are just two other examples of protectionist policies threatening Canadian agri- culture and food exports, and the U.S. is not alone. China has targeted agriculture commodities in re- taliation for Canadian tariffs on electric vehicles. The European Union continues to block Canadian agricultural and food exports using non-tariff trade barriers. Uncertainty in world trade is costly for both Man- itoba farmers and processors. Unfortunately, this uncertainty will remain throughout 2026 and will likely intensify during the review of CUSMA. Secur- ing the North American market, offsetting the cost of trade uncertainty, and trade diversification need to be at the top of the policy list for all governments in 2026. Food and agriculture need to be top of mind at every Canadian negotiating table in 2026. Canadian governments and negotiators need to be continu- ously reminded that food and beverage processing is the largest manufacturing sector in Canada with sales worth about $175 billion. The sector accounts for over 20 percent of total manufacturing sales. Meat products comprise the largest proportion of the food manufacturing sector in both Manitoba and Canada. If agriculture and food are left behind in trade discussions, livelihoods in every region of Manitoba will be significantly impacted. Manitoba hog farmers continue to be world lead- ers in disease prevention and management. The entire sector has recognized the need to work to- gether to effectively protect the health of animals under our care. Sometimes this means that parts of the value chain take actions that are not in their short-term fiscal interest but will deliver long-term benefits to the entire sector. This level of collabora- tion is not often found in other countries or regions. Manitoba’s pork sector should be congratulated for this accomplishment. Working with the entire value chain to prevent Forecasting 2026
“Farmers in every part of Canada are af- fected. Research is needed to develop the best kinds of solutions that will be cost-ef- fective for farmers and help us strengthen our food sovereignty.” Several targeted research facilities sup- port public plant breeding. Field plots allow breeders to compare and assess va- rieties. “Public plant breeding is the cor- nerstone of Canada’s agriculture sector,” said Jennifer Seward, Manitoba farmer and Executive Director of Manitoba Seed Grow- ers Association. “Our public breeders have a deep commitment to quality and public benefit. These cuts undermine the dollars that taxpayers and farmers have invested into variety research for decades, and the seed industry is first and foremost, con- cerned with the loss of this investment.” Dave Gehl, retired Indian Head Research Farm manager said. “The loss of funding under the Harper government in the 2012 budget caused great harm to AAFC. What we need is a reversal, not an intensification of such austerity measures. Our research farm, as well as the others slated for clo- sure, make huge contributions locally by providing good jobs to hundreds of people, to all rural communities through the re- sults of their work, and to all Canadians by ensuring our agriculture system remains productive, sustainable and economically viable.” The research institutions on the chop- ping block are key components of Canada’s original nation-building infrastructure. Nova Scotia’s Nappan Research Farm and Indian Head Research Farm in Saskatch- ewan were established in 1887, while Al- berta’s Lacombe Research Centre dates back to 1907, and Scott Research Farm in Saskatchewan to 1911. The Portage la Prai- rie Manitoba research farm was set up in 1944 towards the end of the Second World War, Quebec City Research Center opened in Canada’s centennial year 1967 and On- tario’s Guelph Research and Development Centre in 1997. By closing them, we will also lose their lands (including plots with scientific data going back a century), build- ings - from historic sites to brand new pur- pose-built facilities, equipment ranging from specially adapted farm machinery to sophisticated laboratory instruments. The National Farmers Union is calling for not only a reversal of these cuts, but re-investment in public agricultural re- search. In a world increasingly fraught with uncertainty, rebuilding our capacity for public-interest agricultural research will provide Canada with the strategic au- tonomy to deliver security and confidence into the future.
NATIONAL FARMERS UNION L ast week in his speech in Davos, Prime Minister Carney said , “A coun- try that cannot feed itself, fuel itself or defend itself has few options.” Four days later, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada announced 12 percent of its workforce – 665 positions — and seven agriculture research facilities are to be cut. Over the weekend we also witnessed the U.S., our largest trading partner and source of much of our processed and fresh foods, lurch even further into violence and unrest. By closing the doors on agricultural research centres and research farms, and ejecting people who represent upwards of 10,000 years’ worth of experience from the public service, Canada will be foreclosing on the discovery, problem-solving, and knowl- edge-base that would have been created by these institutions, leaving us more vul- nerable with fewer options. “We are facing multiple crises that affect our capacity to produce the food and ag- ricultural products that Canadians need,” said Phil Mount, NFU vice president, poli- cy. “We need more investment, not less, in our public research institutions and per- sonnel. The planned cuts would remove about $154 million from AAFC’s annual budget, but this is a false economy. Cutting our capacity to address known and emerg- ing agriculture problems will be far more costly. For just one example, agricultural economist Dr. Richard Gray has shown that there is a $35 return to farmers and the public for every dollar invested in pub- lic plant breeding.” “AAFC researchers working in the public interest can tackle large, difficult questions and freely share their findings, helping farmers succeed in the long term. Farm- ers have partnered with AAFC by putting tens of millions of check-off dollars into these research projects, as has the West- ern Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) which allocates money indirectly con- tributed by farmers. Closing these AAFC facilities will make it that much harder to find institutions with the capacity to utilize these funds,” said Terry Boehm, NFU rep- resentative on the WGRF. “Cutting the Organic and Regenerative Research Program at the Swift Current Re- search Centre, the sustainable livestock programs at Lacombe and the Nappan Research Farm, along with the agro-eco- system resilience research at Quebec City, weakens Canada’s ability to deal with cli- mate change impacts and biodiversity loss,” said Jenn Pfenning, NFU President.
SUPPLIED Cam Dahl is the general manager of Manitoba Pork.
and mitigate disease impacts is a key priority for Manitoba hog farmers in 2026. This includes pre- venting diseases like Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome and Porcine Epidemic Diar- rhea virus where possible and limiting their spread when it is not. We are also working with processors, veterinarians, transport companies, and Manito- ba’s Office of the Chief Veterinarian to keep foreign animal diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease and African Swine Fever out of Manitoba. Again, col- laboration is the key factor in developing effective disease prevention and response plans. On the economic front, 2025 was a profitable year across the hog sector. Profitability is being driven by strong pork demand around the world, relatively affordable pork prices for consumers, es- pecially when compared to beef, disease pressures in other pork producing regions, and reasonable feed costs. I expect profitable conditions to contin- ue into 2026, at least for the first half of the year. Profitability in the second half of 2026 will depend in large part on the world trade situation. Given current profitability, 2026 should be a year of renewal and growth for Manitoba’s hog sector, but investing in the future is difficult when markets and trade patterns remain uncertain. Financing barns with a 25-year lifespan becomes more costly and difficult with growing uncertainty. Manitoba’s Economic Development Plan recognizes the im- pact of international uncertainty on the province’s investment climate and recognizes the need to re- duce our reliance on trade with the U.S. a priori- ty for 2026 will be to develop ways to partner with government and industry to offset some of these financial risks and costs to facilitate industry re- newal. In some ways, 2026 will likely look a lot like 2025. We will continue to see significant trade and mar- ket uncertainty, with the potential to see this uncer- tainty increase going into the CUSMA review. Posi- tive profitability should continue, based on strong demand, disease pressure in other jurisdictions, and manageable feed costs. The question at the end of 2026 will be whether the potential negatives coming from the political environment outweighed the natural potential positives of the market. Cam Dahl is the general manager of Manitoba Pork.
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FLASHBACK
October 24, 1946
Fur farms are significant in Southeastern Manitoba
tion of mating and whelping time. At those times, animals are high strung, and will kill their young if excited in any way. It is so particu- lar, in fact, that an experienced fur rancher will wear the same clothes day after day in order that the fur bearers may not be disturbed by a new smell or a different appearance. For this reason, visitors should not be offended if, at some time of the year, they are not allowed to visit an area fur farm. The bulk of fur farming in the Southeast is, at present, being car- ried on by half a dozen operators in the St Pierre-Otterburne districts. Some specialize in various strains of animals, and J.L. Tessier at St Pierre, has developed a very nice stock of the Gauthier strain mink. He has 4,000 foxes and 400 mink. J.A. Jou- bert, also of St Pierre, goes in more for foxes, and his Royal Blue Fur Farm has produced pelts that have brought as much as $150 apiece. Joubert keeps about 250 foxes and 400 mink. J.A. Couture, owner of the St Pierre Silver Fox Farm, is a pioneer in the fur farming industry, starting with silver foxes way back in 1923. According to reports, his was the first fur farm in the district. (The St Pierre fox and mink farm may well have also been the last, for it was still in operation in 1970, when most fur farms had been out of business for years.) Couture’s own strain of foxes is known as the “All-best”, but he also raises Standard Silver, White Face, Platinums, and is now begin- ning with Pearl Platinum foxes. Couture is also Managing Direc- tor of the Western Canada Fur Pool, an organization through which many sell their furs. In St Malo, there is the Pelo- quin Fur Farm and Niverville dis- trict boasts five fur farms: Two are owned by the Peter Loeppkys, while Jack Stott, Abe Loeppky and Jim Kreibuch have the other three. Kleefeld Top Fur Farm, owned by Harry Topnick, has about 325 fox- es and 175 mink. At present, he is experimenting with breeding and crossing wild mink. Steinbach district is beginning to realize the possibilities in raising fur bearers, and here there are a num- ber of relatively new fur farms. J.P. Harder, Unrau Brothers, Pete Pe- ters, Abraham. Dueck, Herb Bark-
by WES KEATING W hen people think of the animals on the farm, dairy and beef cattle, pigs, chickens and sheep come to mind. But there was a time when mink and foxes were just as important to many a farmer in the Southeast. In 1946, William P. Wiebe, who man- aged a fur farm in Steinbach’s east end, provided The Carillon News with an up-to-date report on the in- dustry at that time. Fur farming is a highly special- ized industry, Wiebe said, and fur farmers get out of it only what they put in. In southeastern Manitoba, the raising of fur-bearing animals is steadily gaining in importance, and at present it is estimated that approximately $175,000 worth of pelts are sold annually. Then there is also the revenue from breeding stock that is being sold by some of the top-notch fur ranchers. Breed- ing animals, of course, nets owners many times as much income as the marketing of pelts. The gestation period for minks is 40 to 73 days, so minks increase on an average of 3½ times a year; foxes don’t do quite as well, but breeding stock outstrips income from fox pelts as well. There are at least 30 fur farms here in southeastern Manitoba, and the number of animals kept on dif- ferent farms varies from 25 to 1,500. Fur bearers are husky eaters, even in captivity, so a good sized mink ranch requires about 125 old hors- es, in addition to other delicacies that go into the meat mixture fed to mink and foxes. Minks are also fierce fighters, and when they tangle, it’s a case of the survival of the fittest, unless the caretaker comes around in time. Even if separated, surgery may be necessary, as a severely lacerated paw, leg or tail has to be amputat- ed. This is all part of the fur ranch- er’s daily routine, which includes administering remedies for worms, ear mites and fleas. In general, mink are not so susceptible to disease as foxes and may be easier to raise, Wiebe explains. Contrary to general belief, visitors are welcome to visit fur farms, or if you prefer ranches, with the excep-
CARILLON ARCHIVES
Stony Brook Fur Farm manager William P. Wiebe with his pet silver fox.
cated at Giroux, where J.J. Thies- sen started with mink in 1924. At that time, there were only two mink farms in the entire province of Manitoba. Thiessen had never seen a mink before he bought his first breeding stock, but now the Thies- sen strain of mink can be found on practically all fur farms in the com- munity and is familiar all across Canada. He has taken many first prizes at the Winnipeg Fur Show and is continually introducing new strains. The Thiessen Fur Farm has about 650 mink.
or otherwise were not interested in fur farming on a larger scale. In this manner, most of the newer fur farms of this district get their breed- ing stock, Wiebe says. Stony Brook, today, has over 900 animals, and is concentrating on breeding stock. Last year, this com- pany purchased two male Koh- I-Nur (Black Cross) mink at $350 apiece and several male Silver Blue mink at $200 each. Some kits from this pure strain are now being sold for breeding purposes. Another pioneer fur farm is lo-
man, and Jake Sawatzky are the lat- est to get into the fur business. Two longer established concerns in this district are the Stony Brook Fur Farm, started by J.R. Friesen in 1932, and the Hanover Silver Fox Farm, which was started two years later by J.S. Rempel and B.P. Janz. J.R. Friesen established Stony Brook Fur Farm with a small num- ber of animals of his own, but he took in “boarders” and was breed- ing animals purchased by people who were looking for additional income, but did not have the time
CARILLON ARCHIVES This 1946 photo of the pens at Stony Brook shows the typical scene at most fur farms in Southeastern Manitoba. The manager is able to keep an eye on the whole operation from an outlook tower.
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