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October 17, 2013
SERVING MANITOBA FARMERS SINCE 1925 | Vol. 71, No. 42
Riding Mountain ranchers face new threat
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» Page 17
manitobacooperator.ca
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Oak Lake area pumpkin patch pulls in the crowds Business owners operate one of Manitoba’s most successful agri-tourism ventures
Culling deer and elk in the area to control bovine tuberculosis could cause predation to spike By Daniel Winters co-operator staff / Rossburn
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anchers south of Riding Mountain National Park fear a new headache is on the way — increased predator attacks from coyotes and wolves. Efforts aimed at preventing bovine tuberculosis in wildlife from spreading to their cattle herds have slashed the elk population, and now a special whitetail deer season for two zones bordering the west side of the park that offers multiple, free tags to hunters threatens to drastically reduce the available food sources for the predators that prey on them. “The predators are having their McDonald’s taken away. Now what you’re going to have is a predator problem,” said Ed Maydaniuk, who runs a small cattle and horse operation north of Rossburn, and just south of RMNP. Rodney Checkowski, who also ranches in the area and was convicted and fined twice See PREDATORS on page 6 »
Oak Lake area owners of Meandher Creek Pumpkin Patch include Louise Stitt (l to r), Judy Podobni, Don Podobni, Tanis Podobni and Logan Podobni. photo: lorraine stevenson By Lorraine Stevenson co-operator staff / oak lake
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anis Podobni means business when she pulls out the cookie sheets. “I need 300 bags of six for the weekend,” she says, hands flying as she scoops out dollops of ginger cookie dough. She’ll make several dozen pies while she’s at it. It’s a routine that’s repeated over and over during September and October as she and her husband
Logan, his parents and their nextdoor neighbour welcome visitors to Meandher Creek Pumpkin Patch, the on-farm agri-tourism venture the five jointly own and operate near Oak Lake. What was once a quiet cattle pasture off the Trans-Canada is now a huge farm playground with bright-red buildings, straw bale stacks, zip lines, a cornfield with mazes cut through it, sandboxes, hayrides, and lots and lots of room to run for literally thousands of kids.
From “just an idea” in 2007, the business has become Oak Lake’s biggest seasonal employer, employing about 30 through its nine-week fall season. A sunny Saturday or Sunday will easily see 1,000 people and overall attendance is usually about 11,000 visitors between all the families, school groups and tours that come. Their customers view Meandher Creek as “their farm” for visiting in the fall, says Podobni. See PUMPKINS on page 7 »
Manitoba cereal association takes next step » PAGE 25