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The seeding season has wrapped up for the year.
Many of the extended seeding periods have now come to a close, and as much seeding has been completed as possible, with some areas left unseeded due to the lingering moisture.
Severe storms and isolated heavy rains hit much of the province, with the Central, Interlake, and Southwest regions getting the most rain.
Precipitation has been in no short supply, as even the dryest location has seen up to 111% of its expected rainfall.
Warmer temperatures are desired now though, as much of the province is short on the average amount of growing degree days for this time of year.
Speaking of growth, the crops that have been planted are moving along well. winter crops have seen some rapid advancement, and early-planted spring crops are emerging well.
Fall rye stands are at the soft dough stage, and winter wheat heads have fully emerged and flowered with fungicide applications for Fusarium head blight being completed.
Spring wheat and oats are averaging between the 3-leaf and stem elongation stage, and barley ranging from, 3 leaves to awns emerging. Corn is also in the V4-V6 Stages.
Canola growth stage ranges from the rosette stage to bolting stages, but the earliest fields began flowering early last week in the Central region. Growth stages ranging from cotyledon to rosette/cabbaging have been reported in the Interlake and Eastern regions.
Sunflowers are at the V6 to V8 growth stage. Flax crops ranged from growth stage 4 to 5.
Pulses and Soybeans are moving along well, but soy fields are hurting from warming weather for some critical growth.
Field peas are at the 8 to 10-node stage, with some flowering in the Central region, and Dry beans are in the first to second trifoliate stage.
The soybean growth stage ranges from cotyledon to the second trifoliate stage, and Iron deficiency chlorosis has started to show in some fields.
Forage crops are seeing some success so far Roughly 60% of dairy producers in the Eastern region have completed first-cut harvest of alfalfa fields. Beef producers are hoping to follow suit as soon as the weather allows. Hay stands are maturing quickly, however daily rain showers are making field access difficult and do not allow for sufficient drying time of cut forages.
There may be a significant amount of feed harvested as round bale silage this year given that weather conditions are making it difficult to put up good quality dry hay. Several producers in the Eastern region are concerned about the quantity and quality of harvested feed that will be available for the upcoming winter
Silage has been a good option for producers to shorten the period needed for drying hay, and some producers have switched from hay production to silage.
Cattle are quite happy in the pastures, as the growth therein has been excellent. there is some concern in low-lying areas however that excess traffic could damage the soft, wet soil.
Despite flies and foot rot, cow-calf are in good health, and bulls are being introduced to the herds. dugouts are well full, with some standing water left in ditches as well.
a bit closer to home in the northwest region, we had a generally better week of weather conditions. The weekend brought precipitation to most of the region, with some localized amounts being quite heavy. Areas receiving the most precipitation were already saturated.
The highest precipitation was at the Ashville and Keld stations at 45mm, and no precipitation was reported at The Pas station.
The challenges of all this water include unseeded acres, standing water in crops, and the inability to apply pesticides. Frequent high winds have also hampered pesticide applications.
Field peas are continuing in the vegetative stage and are looking good for the most part. The majority of spring wheat is in the tillering stage and is looking good so far.
Canola crops continue to be quite varied. While some reseeded/late-seeded canola is just emerging, the earliest-seeded canola is in the pre-bolt stage.
Flea beetle pressure continues and requires multiple insecticide applications.
Herbicide applications are ongoing as stages are reached however, wind and wet conditions continue to challenge timely applications.
Soybean crops are mostly in the first trifoliate stage. Winter wheat and fall rye crops are advancing and headed out.
With Seeding all but wrapped up for the year, and ample moisture in the soil, what we need now is a week-long stretch of warm, sunny days to bolster crop growth, and allow the other work in the fields to be completed.
Until next week, here's wishing you a safe, productive year, and some optimal weather to come.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
The City of Dauphin has recently announced a new and improved Animal Services Program, after closures at the City pound.
Starting July 1st, The City's animal service needs will be addressed by Barkland in the Parkland, pet resort, and crematorium.
Barkland will be the location of the city's new Animal Retention Center, replacing the city pound.
The goal is to provide a safe and comfortable space for pets as they wait to be reunited with their people.
The City also thanks Todd Tarrant for his 18 years of service as our Animal Control Officer.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
An Ethelbert man charged with arson is due back in court on July 11th.
54-year-old Marc Dorais was charged after a report of a suspect lighting a house on fire in Ethelbert on June 1st of this year.
Dorais remains in custody.
Meanwhile, it was another court appearance for a Dauphin man charged in relation to a serious assault from November of 2022.
40-year-old Wayne Becks faces several charges including aggravated assault and uttering threats, and is due back in court this Thursday.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A 63-year-old man from the Sandy Bay First Nation faces multiple charges following an incident and subsequent search of a residence on Lake Road.
According to the Manitoba First Nations Police Service, officers were notified about a domestic assault and eventually requested and obtained a search warrant for the home.
They seized 13 firearms, several types of ammunition, around 35.1 pounds of Cannabis, 6.2 grams of suspected cocaine, other drug paraphernalia, and close to 24 grand in cash.
The accused, who can not be named in order to protect the identity of the victim, faces charges that include assault, uttering threats, possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling and distribution, as well as nine counts of careless storage of a firearm.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A recent study on impaired driving has shown a shifting trend over the past 6 years.
A six-year analysis of more than 10,000 Canadian drivers involved in motor vehicle collisions suggests cannabis has edged out alcohol as the most common impairing substance detected through after-crash blood testing.
The National Drug Driving Study 2024, produced by the University of British Columbia took samples from across the nation and found that 16.6 percent had cannabis in their bloodstream while 16 percent had alcohol.
A quote from the study did note that while this statistic is significant, the real goal of this study was to " to warn people of the risks of driving while impaired, of the risks of combining alcohol and cannabis" as mixing substances increases the risk of an accident a great deal.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Progress is about to get underway at the Watson Art Center, as the replacement of the auditorium floor boards gets underway this week.
The fresh floor boards are already on location, adjust to the climate before installation kicks into action this week.
According to Cam Bennet with the Allied Arts Council, ripping up the original floor starts tomorrow, Tuesday, June 25th, and could take a few weeks.
Bennet notes that a few creative projects are planned for these recycled floorboards.
"Picture frames is one, some signage for the Watson itself, fire hall, auditorium, that type of thing. Yeah, we've got a few ideas. We've got plenty plenty of wood, or we will. There's no real rush to to do something with it, so if something comes up in the next couple of monthes, we can look a that as well."
The Watson Art Centre will be closed to the public from June 25th - July 9th for the installation of this new flooring.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
A convicted sex offender who was released from prison last week is expected to live in Sandy Bay First Nation.
Bryon Starr, who is also known as Clayton Starr, Chad Crate, and Richard Starr, was released from a maximum-security prison in Ontario late last week. Now, he is expected to relocate to Sandy Bay First Nation.
After being convicted of sexual assault with a weapon, aggravated assault, forcible confinement, fleeing a police officer, and failing to comply with a probation order in 2013, Starr served just more than a decade behind bars. Starr was originally sentenced to 13 years.
Between September 2010 and June 2011, Starr stole a stranger's running vehicle with a female inside, who he forcibly confined, threatened, and sexually assaulted.
Star is considered a high risk to re-offend in a sexually violent manner. He is under a lifetime weapon prohibition order and other conditions.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Assiniboine Community College is removing the "Community" from their name.
It is the third time in the 63-year history of the college that it has changed its name.
Parkland Campus Director Carol Stewart says the name change has been years in the making.
"Our connection to community has never been because of our name, and that will remain strong as we move forward as Assiniboine College. So community-based education, and supporting community initiatives and events, and building a strong college community are always going to be foundational as to who we are. And we are actually Canada's national leader in community-based education."
Stewart adds the name change also comes with a logo change for the college.
"The college logo now features a geometric "A", and it signifies Assiniboine. And its shape is also inspired by the rich heritage of Manitoba's First Nations and the teepee, symbolizing the beginning of life and the nurturing community of a home. And of course our commitment to the prosperity of our First Nations, Inuit, and Metis people. Artistically we have retained the purple and red hues that has become known as part of our brand. These are inspired by Manitoba's essence."
Stewart says the purple represents the Prairie Crocus, while the red represents the energy, strength, and passion of Manitobans.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Neepawa Tigers high school hockey team recently made a generous donation to that community's chemotherapy unit.
With money raised through their "Tigers Fight Cancer" campaign in January, the team was able to purchase a new wheelchair, neck pillows, and thermometers.
Money was also used to purchase gift cards to Dairy Queen and Tim Horton's to be given to patients, and for Co-op gift cards to purchase items not available from the hospital kitchen.
Prairie Mountain Health and Neepawa Health Centre staff sincerely appreciate the generous donation from the hockey team, and also thank everyone who assisted in making this contribution possible.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
RCMP say a 15-year-old boy has been charged with murder in the death of a 16-year-old girl in Easterville.
Police say a girl was found dead with obvious injuries in the community on Friday morning.
Later in the day, officers said, they arrested and charged a 15-year-old boy with second-degree murder in relation to the death.
The youth remains in custody, and the investigation continues.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Dauphin's Countryfest is set to kick off this weekend, but organizers have been forced to make a last minute change to their entertainment lineup.
General Manager Kamryn Winters says Mark Chesnutt, who was slated to perform Sunday night, has been forced to pull out of the festival.
"He is undergoing heart surgery I believe, so he had to cancel a lot of his upcoming dates And I am sure that everything will go great and that people will get to see him in the future. But it just did not pan out for us this year."
Winters says they have lined up George Fox to perform in Chesnutt's place.
"We have George Fox playing with Sawyer Brown this fall on their tour, so it will be nice to get a taste of what he is going to bring to that tour."
She adds they are very appreciative that Fox could commit on such short notice.
"We are getting down to the very last minute so it was hard to get that email last week about Mark. But Rob (Waloschuk) was able to pull it together and get somebody really quick. "
She says that Fox is a great fit to their "Classic Country" lineup for this year's festival.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
