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As seeding approaches, Statistics Canada has released its principal field crop Areas for 2023.

Wheat, canola, corn for grain, barley, and soybeans are all expected to have increased areas this year, with wheat leading the way as far as increases go.

Farmers are anticipating 27 million acres of wheat across the country this year, which is up 6.2% from last year. If this comes true, the national wheat area would be at its highest point in more than two decades.

Manitoba Farmers are anticipating 3.2 million acres of wheat this year, up 3.3%. Saskatchewan farmers anticipate a 7.3% increase, to a total of 14.2 million acres this year, while Alberta farmers are planning 8 million acres, up 4.2% from last year.

Soybean acres are expected to take a large jump as well, going up to 5.5 million acres, which is an increase of 4.5%. This increase is expected to be largely led by Manitoba, which is anticipating a 37.3% increase to 1.6 million acres.

The canola area nationally is expected to be up slightly, coming in at 21.6 million acres, which would be a 0.9% increase.

Nationwide, barley acreage is expected to edge up 0.6% to 7.1 million acres in 2023. Oat area on the other hand is expected to take a substantial dip nationally, falling 22.4% to 3.1 million acres.

Farmers expect to plant 3.7 million acres of corn for grain, up 2.8% from one year earlier. Lentil and dry pea areas are both expected to drop this year. Canadian farmers anticipate the lentil area to be down 8% to 4 million acres, and the dry pea area to drop 4.6% to 3.2 million acres.

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Around 40% of all cultivated farmland in Canada is rented, but how do you know if renting or buying is the most cost-effective choice?

Farm Credit Canada(FCC) recently released a report called Understanding Canadian farmland rental rates: FCC analysis, which helps break down the rent-to-price ratio.

FCC Chief Economist, JP Gervais, says there is a lot of different info that goes into the report, but the purpose of the report itself is quite simple.

"The purpose of this was to look at, if you compare land rental rates, compared to land values, is one going up faster than the other."

In Manitoba, the rent-to-price ratio dropped from 2.5% to 2.4% last year, while other Prairie provinces say an increase in that same ratio, but what does that mean for Manitobans?

"In some sense, to have a ratio that's been declining in Manitoba means that you're a little bit better off if you're looking at renting land, but the difference is not that significant," says Gervais, "You just have to crunch the numbers to understand, what are the best options for me."

He says there are so many different variables that need to go into that decision, and it'll be different for everyone.

"I wish I could just lay out a simple formula, but the reality is you just have to sit down with somebody, a farm management expert, a financial advisor, to just really make sure that you crunch all the numbers and come up with the best strategy for your farm."

Ultimately, Gervais says this report is a good tool for farmers to use when making these decisions.

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After a three-year hiatus, the Dauphin Kin Business expo once again returned to the halls of Credit Union Place.

Over 100 vendors from the parkland and beyond came to showcase their unique products.

From boats, balsamic vinegar, and barbeques, to house decor and hot tubs, the Expo had something for everyone.

CKDM was in attendance, and it was a very busy weekend with lots of people getting out to learn about and support a wide variety of local businesses.

Dan Pylypchuk, Organizer of the Dauphin Kin Business Expo was thankful to have all the space they need for this massive event.

"We utilized the walking track, the CUP floor, the curling rink, and even the halls in between. and yah, I'm looking forward to next year." 

Pylpchuk also mentioned the Dauphin Kin Club is growing, and with the success of the expo, could grow even more

"Well, we've got a new club, and we're looking to keep expanding on not only what we can do the for expo, but what we can do for the community. and hopefully, out of this, we can gain a few members with more ideas to bring to the club" 

The three-year pandemic hiatus will likely be a thing of the past, and next year's Expo is sure to be just as big, or possibly even bigger.

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Five people are facing charges after a search warrant was executed in Swan River, as part of an ongoing investigation.

During the search of the Main Street residence, police seized six grams of methamphetamine, four grams of cocaine, eight grams of hydromorphone, and drug paraphernalia.

A 44-year-old male is facing charges of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking and three counts of Failing to Comply. A 41-year-old female has been charged with three counts of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking.

Two males, aged 21 and 40, and a 29-year-old female, are facing a charge of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, and the investigation is ongoing.

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After another winter storm last week, and before even more rain in the forecast tonight and tomorrow, how are the water levels in the province?

Water levels have risen over the last month, but are still following the trends that the March Flood Outlook set at that time.

Dauphin Lake has risen just 0.31 ft. since March 22nd and is sitting at 855.01 ft. as of yesterday, slightly above its operating range. The lake is still just under three feet below its flood stage.

Lake Winnipegosis is sitting at 830.56 ft., which is 0.06 ft. higher than it was on March 22nd. The lake is still below it's median level for this time of year.

Lake Manitoba has also risen 0.07 ft. since March 22nd. As of yesterday, the average lake level was 811.67 ft., which is close to the middle of its operating range and is expected to remain within that range.

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Update posted on April 24th at 1:53 pm:

The RCMP has provided an update regarding the overdoses in the Pas on Saturday night.

Police say that Sunday afternoon, an officer in Thompson was at the hospital on an unrelated matter when a nurse approached them with a small box. The box contained seven vials, each with approximately one gram of an unknown crystal-like powder.

The officer brought the box to the detachment, where a field test was conducted. It was determined that there was the presence of an opioid in the vials.

Field test results4896Field test results

The RCMP believes the drugs seized in Thompson may be the same substance that was discovered in The Pas which led to the hospitalization of 6 individuals, one of whom remains in critical condition.

Thompson RCMP report one case of an overdose believed to be linked to this same drug.

We continue to ask anyone with information to call 204-627-6204, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

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Original article posted on April 23 at 2:38 pm:

The Pas RCMP advises the community to be cautious after several people overdosed last night.

Police responded to a report of four unresponsive males at an establishment on Fisher Avenue around 8:45 pm. They were told the individuals had ingested drugs, believed to be laced with an opioid.

Officers, along with EMS, attended the scene and administered naloxone in an effort to revive the men. Three of the males, ages 46, 37, and 33, were revived and transported to the hospital where they were treated and later released.

The fourth male, a 31-year-old, was taken to the hospital and later flown to Brandon where he remains in critical condition.

Several hours later, police received another report that two men had overdosed at the same location. They were also taken to the hospital where they were treated and released.

The RCMP says they believe the drug is in a crystal-like powdered form, purple, and may contain fentanyl.

An investigation is underway, and the Pas RCMP is asking anyone with information to call 204-627-6204, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

*Note, the man in the hospital was originally reported as a 46-year-old by the RCMP, they have since corrected it, saying he is 31 years old.*

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A date has been set for a verdict in the trial of Jack Winters.

The trial wrapped up on March 22nd, and a decision was reserved at that time. That decision has now been set for June 29th, 2023, at 10 am.

Winters is facing a number of charges related to a fatal collision in the RM of Dauphin in August 2019.

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From today until May 31st, Parks Canada is planning prescribed fires in three different areas of Riding Mountain National Park (RMNP). So don't be alarmed if you see smoke coming from the park as this is likely the reason why.

The three zones are:

• South Lake Prescribed Fire - 263 hectare area located along the western shores of Clear Lake with boundaries along RR 354, and Frith Road.
• Lake Katherine Prescribed Fire - 100 hectare area along Bogey Creek between Highway 10 and Grey Owl Trail.
• Menzie Prescribed Fire - 11,000 hectare area surrounding Whitewater Lake, Menzie Lake, and Peden Prairie.

The prescribed fires act as a preventative measure against severe wildfires and they improve the ecological condition of the areas where they are set. More information about Parks Canada's fire management program can be found here.

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The extreme weather conditions that rolled across much of southwestern Manitoba wreaked havoc on powerlines and poles, downing hydro services for thousands of people.  

Luckily, severe snow storms seem to be behind us for the season, but it may not mean the end of power issues.

We spoke with Manitoba Hydro's Bruce Owen, who explained that the snow melt and wet conditions can still cause outages, but not from physically knocking the poles down.

"We also see at this time of year, pole fires. The accumulation of moisture, the freezing, and the thawing particularly in older or cracked insulators create a situation where the electricity travels and grounds itself through the pole and lights it on fire."

He also mentioned that the best way to be ready in extreme weather conditions is to have a plan and a pre-packed kit ready.

"A flashlight, blankets, bottled water, and some dried food or canned food that you don't have to heat. The key to this having something you know is there. Should it be a spring rain or a late fall snowstorm, the key is that you can stay warm, and have a supply of materials readily at hand."

The power issues that plagued much of the southwest corner of the province were all resolved by the weekend, but with the tumultuous conditions that frequent Manitoba, preparing for any situation is key to keeping safe when the weather turns. 

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The Winnipegosis Historical Society(WHS) recently received a $14,000 grant to help them digitize their filing system.

The money is from the provincial government's Community Museum Project Support Program and will help WHS continue the work they've already done. WHS President Jo Bunka says it's a huge project, but it's also an important one.

"If you know anything about museums, we have a lot of files, because we hold the things that we do in public trust. So we have to keep a record of how we obtained things, what things are, what is the history of the artifacts and belongings that have come under our care."

Bunka says they've been keeping these detailed records since they opened in 1985, so there is nearly 40 years' worth of files to digitize. Once the work is done, it will give WHS a chance to share its collection with even more people.

"When this project is completed, you would be able to go online through this data-based program, and actually research that item."

However, Bunka says the project is about more than just accessibility.

"In some ways, it's almost a security step, because it will preserve the information that we've gathered for a much longer time."

Bunka says that the work began last year when they hired someone who had taken a collection management course at the University of Manitoba. She says the same person will be hired this summer to continue that work.

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Eco-friendly activities will be taking place this weekend to commemorate the 53rd annual Earth Day.

The Dauphin Active Living Center and the Parkland Chapter Citizens' Climate Lobby will be hosting environmentally-minded events.

Climate lobby member Esther Fyk mentions that the event will run from 2-4 on Sunday the 23rd and there will be tutorials on making micro gardens and more.

"There will also be free draws, the whole thing is free. We will have the seeds there to make seed bombs, and there will be E-bikes there as well"

If you're looking to learn how to reduce your carbon footprint, be more active for the environment, or just have some veggies growing indoors all winter, this Earth Day event should cover all these topics and more.

Every year since 1970, Earth Day has been celebrated on April 22nd, and it's been recognized as one of the largest global efforts to raise awareness about the effects of climate change.

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