Can anyone help?

[roly]

Hello Canadian Friends,

Just to answer a few questions, the farm I intend buying is in Pine River, Manitoba. I think I am doing the right thing, from what I gather water is important for drought and this farm has a river on it. I'm from Newcastle in Northern England and my claim to fame is I was friends with Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits, great guitarist. I am now 53 years old and want to get away from all the hassle & red tape in England. What attracts me to the prairies is the warm friendly people who are really eager to help, just as you have with all your replys.

Many thanks,

Roland.

[roly]

Roly a river going through a farm can be a good thing and it also can have its drawbacks.
Ample rainfall is extremely important no matter where you are going to farm.
Hopefully the folks in the community where you are considering purchasing your farm are helpful and willing to give you some good advice, if they are like most of us they will give you advice whether you ask or not, but it will be well meaning advice.

[SASH]

Yep, the people in Manitoba are warm and friendly, but the weather is damn cold. Make sure you bring lots of good, heavy clothing. Good Luck.

[Braveheart]

Roly, just for the record, don't expect as Mark Knopfler wrote: "money for nothing". (And the chicks aren't free!)

[bob-b]

how about a big concert?

[InAHurry]

A Dire Straits concert - Good Idea!! Mark me down for two tickets please. And an autograph. Last one I got was my shirt signed by Mike Holmes (HGTV-Holmes on Homes). Hey roly, maybe you want to host a open house/house warming with Mark giving a private performance?
Sometimes we can be to helpful! LOL

[rkaiser]

Put me in Coach, I'm ready to play,, today. Look at me, I can be, centerfield.

What are we all saying. We love music, we love to express ourselves, we love outdoor life and nature,but we have difficulty in social situations. Or is that last part just me.

Mark Knofler - yaah baaby

[Joe-2]

"Sometimes you're the windshield....."
"Sometimes you're the bug!!"
-Mark Knopfler.

Yup!!!!!!

[roly]

thanks for the encouragment guys.emrald1-can you tell me how can a river be a bad thing(do you mean flooding).The reason i ask about tracters is i can buy a 1995 ford 7740 4x4 for about £8000 £2000 for shipping which looks cheap for canadian tracters.As to Mark Knopfler i used to work on a farm with him part time,he is a great guitarest the only 1's that come close are your country bands.we didnt discover real country music till we visited canada.i have a 16yr old son who is a good guitarest who modles him self of Mark and brad paisly etc.

got to go now guys, got a meeting with the environment agency,im in big trouble for burning some headge cuttings and a bit rubbish

roly

[roly]

COUNTRY MUSIC Roly.....way to go !!!!
In regards to a river running through a farm, flooding may be a problem and there are environmental concerns as well. Usually it is encouraged to leave a buffer along any water body to protect riparian areas.
Some provinces have legislation that prohibits feeding cattle within a specified distance from a water body, river, creek etc.Alberta has such legislation which requires a 30 m setback between seasonal feeding and bedding sites and a common body of water. If that is not possible, then a berm must be built to divert any runoff.
Some provinces also have legislation that dictates specified areas where livestock may be watered in a river etc.
I am not sure what legislation if any Manitoba has in effect, but you could check that out by getting on the Manitoba Ministry of Agriculture website.

[grassfarmer]

Roly, bring the tractor! That is a very similar model to what I sold in Scotland prior to moving. It is going to cost you @ $23,000 to bring over a tractor that would cost you $45-50,000 here. You'll need to fit a block heater to get it started when it's -40C but that shouldn't be too difficult. I'm back into a Massey here and have often wondered if I should contact Dobsons at Kendal and get into the import/export business?

[grassfarmer]

grassfarmer will all associated filters, and parts be readily available here without a lengthy wait ?

[grassfarmer]

I would assume that "Ford" parts will be no problem - a 7740 is a NH afterall and they have the identical model here don't they?. My 300 series MF is no problem anyway - it was built in Coventry, England and exported here. Kasha at Eckville are very good for parts (apart from outrageous prices but I guess that goes with any iron on a farm)

[grassfarmer]

good advice to Roly to bring the tractor over. It costs enough to farm and any saving at the start can sure be a big help.

Repairs, tires etc. are sure not cheap. Also for any of you who live in the Rimbey area, and are needing tractor tires I sure recommend you checking with Tom at Breton Auto Body. I sure saved on tires for my JD through him.

[Eastcoaster]

Have you given any consideration of maybe emigrating to the Maritime
provinces?