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Hot sunny weather was very abundant in this week's Manitoba Crop Report.

Rain didn't fall on several locations across the province, with the most being seen at the Sprague weather station at 51.3 mm.

This streak of warmer, drier weather led to some significant growth and has started to bring a more average number of growing degree days to the mix.

The damage from the heavy early rain is still quite evident, with some late-seeded crops behind, but conditions have been favorable to make up for lost time.

MASC has also received up to 97% of the estimated seeded acres for the year, with Canola topping the list at 3,033,977 acres, Spring wheat in second at 2,579,938 acres, and Soybeans in third at 1,212,710 acres.

Speaking of Spring wheat, it ranged from the soft dough to hard dough growth stages with awns starting to turn colour. Spring wheat quality is rated mostly fair to good with 5 to 10% of the crop being reported as poor in the Southwest, Northwest, Central, and Interlake regions

Some of the earliest fall rye could begin harvesting this week, and winter wheat has fields between hard dough and physiological maturity.

Aside from water-stressed areas, oil seeds are moving along well, with canola seeds ranging from pod fill to full flower, differing in early and late crops.

Sunflowers took advantage of the sunshine but also saw a lot of variance from the timing. Flax is mostly between growth stages 9 and 10.

Soybeans have also surged ahead from this hot weather, with most in the R2 to R3 stages, with the most advanced fully podded. Field peas are in the R4 to R5 stages, with crops in the Eastern Region noticing the most damage from excess moisture.

Good progress has been made on first-cut beef hay as fields were wrapped up, and humidity levels finally dropped late last week. Hay yields are being reported in the 2.5-3 tonnes per acre on tame hay stands, and moisture conditions in low-lying areas are improving, making fields more accessible with haying equipment

Dairy farms have taken their first cut of alfalfa silage, and most have taken a second cut.

The warm weather this week combined with soil moisture has allowed for strong growth in pastures and of forage crops. Cattle are making the most of strong growth due to the moist soil conditions.

Some areas have become damaged from hoof action on waterlogged soils. Producers are attempting to control fly numbers on pasture and are looking for pink eye and foot rot where conditions remain wet underfoot.

Closer to home, the Northwest Region had hot and humid conditions that persisted most of the week.

The highest temperature was 31.4°C at the Drifting River station and the lowest overnight temperature was 8.7°C at the San Clara station. Most of the region received little to no precipitation, except for Reedy Creek station which received 44 mm.

The most advanced canola crops are nearing the end of flowering and are at the pod-filling stage. Crops are more advanced in Swan River/Roblin and behind in the Dauphin area due to excess moisture in spring.

Fungicide applications have mostly been wrapped up, with the exception of late-seeded crops requiring it. Recent high temperatures have caused some pod abortions due to heat stress.

The most advanced spring wheat is in late milk to soft dough and late crops are in the flowering stage. Some fields that were previously stressed due to excess moisture have recovered. 

Earliest field peas are nearing the R5 stage and the remainder of the crop is in R3-R4. Soybean crops are in the R2 stage and mostly looking good. The recent heat has helped and advanced the crops quickly. There are crops in the Dauphin area that were stressed from excess moisture and are in the R1 stage.

Another week of hot and clear weather seems to be in store for much of the province, evening out the excess moisture and lower-than-average growing degree days.

that's it for this weekly look at the Manitoba Crop Report. Here's hoping conditions remain favorable, but of course, only time will tell.

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An RCMP search for missing youths has ended after 4 teens went tubing down the Shell River.

On July 28, at approximately 11:50 pm, Prairie Mountain RCMP received a report of four missing youths, aged 16 and 17.

RCMP located one of the youth’s vehicles at Inglis Beach and one of the other youth’s vehicles on Provincial Road 589 at the bridge.

It was believed they would have started tubing at Provincial Road 589 with the goal being to end up at Inglis Beach. The youths had not been heard from since 2:00 pm that day.

Searchers with RCMP and local fire attended as did Emergency Medical Services.

Local crop planes circled the area, local farmers on ATVs assisted, the fire department had their boat in the water, RCMP divers, RCMP Police Dog Services, RCMP Search and Rescue, and the Office of the Fire Commissioner were en route, and the RCMP drone was up in the air.

At approximately 4:00 am, the drone located three youths along the river through thermal imaging.

They were not physically injured, but The fourth youth, a 16-year-old female, was still missing.

The drone found the deflated pink flamingo tube she had been using, about a kilometer up the river from where the others were located.

The fourth teen was located with minor injuries 4 and a half hours later. None of them were wearing life jackets, and alcohol appears to have been involved.

Corporal Brett Church of the Prairie Mountain RCMP “This ended much better than it could have," noting that a floatie won't save you like a life jacket can.

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With the new school year just weeks away, Assiniboine College's Parkland Campus is looking to find housing for some if their students set to attend the school this fall.

In particular, they are looking for homeowners that would be interested in renting out a room or a basement suite to a student.

Director Carol Stewart says this is something that is very important to them at Assiniboine College.

"Post-secondary students attend college and university and they need to find somewhere to live as well.  And it can be even harder for them. Some of them are not working so they need to find a place that they can afford, in order to succeed in their studies, which is what we want them to do.  They may prefer to live somewhere quiet.  And no matter who you are, we all deserve a home that is safe  and secure."

Stewart feels it is important to be able to attract young people to our region.

"We all benefit from a population influx.  Our students spend money locally, they volunteer, they may bring children that attend our schools or they bring their spouses who find employment here.  Many of our students come here because they want to make the Parkland their home.  And so students who have a safe place to live are more likely to stay after graduation."

Anyone that has a room or a basement suite that they are willing to rent out are asked to email parklandinfo@assiniboine,net, or fill out a contact form on their website www.assiniboine.net/parkland

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RCMP Major Crimes Services have laid charges against a 36-year-old woman following a death last Friday on the Canupawakpa Dakota Nation

Shortly after 9 am on Friday, Manitoba First Nations Police Service were called to a home in the Southwestern Manitoba community, where they located the deceased body of a 42-year-old man.

Following an investigation that included assistance from the MFNPS Criminal Investigations Unit and RCMP Forensic Identification Section, a charge of Manslaughter was laid on Monday against Marissa Jean Benn of Canupawakpa Dakota Nation.

She remains in custody until a court appearance. 

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If you're a fan of fresh berries in season right now, you might run into a pesky insect in your summer berry hauls.

Entomologist Dr. John Gavloski tells us why a type of fruit fly is a growing problem in this situation.

"Spotted Wing Drosophila is a little different, even though it's a fruit fly. The egg-layer is serrated, like a saw, so it makes it so they can saw their way into fruit that is a little bit firmer, raspberries, or any of the soft fruits."

Luckily, Dr. Gavloski also mentions that there is no harm from accidentally ingesting these fruit flies.

Thoroughly cooking or freezing your fruit will also kill off any that are actively in fruits.

There are traps and insecticides being used against these bugs, but they're still being reported in many locations across the province.

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Manitoba Hydro Is looking to return to the international stage.

Finance Minister Adrien Sala, the minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro, announced this today, noting he was pleased to see this operation return

born as a subsidiary of Manitoba Hydro in 1998, Manitoba Hydro International aims to bid on other energy projects and offer advisory services, and provide training to international partners.

It was in February of 2021 that MHI decided to wind down operation, but new staffing is now expected to be in place over the next 3 to 4 years.

For over 20 years, MHI provided services and products to clients in over 120 countries, building capacity in Manitoba’s high-tech power industry.

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Dauphin native Clint Nepinak will be back in Brandon court this Thursday to deal with matters related to a mid-January arrest near Ste Rose on a drug charge and outstanding warrants. 

The 28-year-old was in court last week, where his matters were put over to the new date.

And one of two people arrested in connection with a drug and weapon bust in Dauphin last November was also back in court late last week.

36-year-old Chantelle Ferland had her matters adjourned to August 27.

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It is the first of what will be several significant events over the next three weeks leading up to and during the Manitoba Summer Games.

A volunteer pep rally is set for tomorrow (Tuesday) night from 5:30 to 8 pm at the Parkland Rec Complex Curling rink.

Games co-chair Carla Wolfenden says volunteers will be able to pick up their volunteer packages at this event.

"Including your t-shirt that you will get to wear during the games, your accreditation.  As well as all of our committees and most of our sub-committees will be in attendance to answer any questions.  If you still have scheduling questions or problems, they will be there to help you. There is a lot of important information that will be given out."

Wolfenden says there will be plenty of other activities besides the handing out of volunteer packages.

"There is also entertainment and we will have snacks as well.  We really want to get the word out that if you can make it, come for 6 pm, because we are making a special announcement that we are really excited to share with everyone."  

The pep rally event is for Games Volunteers only.

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A by-election will be held in Gilbert Plains on August 28th to fill one vacancy on municipal council.

A total of three candidates have stepped forward - Roy Becks, Tyler Bileski, and Robert Shumka. 

Voting on by-election day will take place from 8 am to 8 pm at the Richardson Pioneer Community Hall.

Advanced voting will occur on August 21st at the Municipal office in Gilbert Plains.

Residents that can not make it out on either voting day are encouraged to apply to vote by mail. 

Application envelopes will be available at the Gilbert Plains Municipal office starting on August 1st, with the deadline to apply to vote by mail being August 25th. 

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One of Russell's favourite sons is returning home for a special party. 

Former Olympic gold medalist and Amazing Race Canada host Jon Montgomery will be back in his hometown tomorrow night for what's being called "Our Amazing Block Party".

It will take place from 6 - 9 pm tomorrow (Tuesday) night at the George Buleziuk Centre, and is highlighted by a viewing party of what is believed to be the edition of the Amazing Race Canada that was shot in Russell - before it is aired nationally. 

Kids activities and live entertainment are also planned for the evening. 

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A Bacon Ridge man arrested after a February drug and firearms bust on the Ebb & Flow First Nation is in more hot water.

42-year-old Connie Malcolm was slated to appear in court this week in relation to the incident.

But he failed to appear for his slated court date, which has led to a warrant being issued for his arrest. 

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