NewsNow
Throughout the season, Flea beetles in canola and grasshoppers were two major insect concerns.
Flea beetles were abundant enough in the Northwest and Interlake regions to cause some farmers to have to reseed some acres of canola due to flea beetle damage. The heavy flea beetle population started being noticed in late July and by August, there were reports of heavy activity on podded canola.
Grasshoppers were a bigger concern in mid-June to late-August. Insecticide applications for the bug were reported in the Northwest, Interlake, and Southwest regions. There was also grasshopper control reported on hemp in the Northwest region in June.
From mid-July to mid-August, Diamondback moth was a concern for canola growers in some regions. The highest trap counts in the northwest region came from The Pas and Bowsman while Selkirk and Clandeboye saw the highest trap counts in the Interlake region. Some fields in the Interlake, Eastern, and Central regions were affected by alfalfa weevil in June.
As well, aphids did not seem to be much of an issue in the Interlake and Northwest regions however they were abundant in late june to late july in small grains in other regions, but some of those fields had an abundance of their natural enemies.
The summary also noted that for the first time, Western corn rootworm and cannabis aphid were found in Manitoba. The cannabis aphid were found and identified at a greenhouse in Eastern Manitoba.
The full Manitoba Agriculture insect summary for 2021 can be found here.
- Details
- Contributed by Alec Woolston
Non-essential travel will be allowed at the Canada - U.S. land border beginning on Monday. This is the first time the border will be open since March of last year when it was closed to try to slow the spread of COVID-19.
As early as yesterday, eager travellers were lined up with their vehicles awaiting the opening.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Business Council of Canada have some concerns about some of the requirements for returning to Canada. To get back into the country, you will need to show proof of vaccination and provide a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of crossing back in. You will also need to fill out the government of Canada's ArriveCAN travel application on a computer or smartphone.
Entry into the United States does not require getting tested for COVID-19 however you will need to provide proof of vaccination.
- Details
- Contributed by Alec Woolston
Don't forget that daylight savings time (DST) ends tomorrow morning.
Thankfully it's the good one where we gain an hour of sleep. At 2am tomorrow, the clocks will go back an hour to 1am.
Remember to adjust your clocks and don't show up to work an hour early if you work on Sunday!
- Details
- Contributed by Alec Woolston
Assiniboine Community College released its 2021 Graduate Satisfaction & Employment survey and it shows that most graduates surveyed stayed in Manitoba for work after they graduated.
93 per cent of them, in fact.
"It's one of the stats we're most proud of is that 93 per cent stay in Manitoba after graduation, especially since usually around 85 or 86 per cent of the students originate as Manitobans", said Mark Frison, President of Assinboine Community College.
The survey also showed that 80 per cent of graduates surveyed say they are working in a career related to the chosen field of study after nine months since graduating.
"I think it's excellent that 80 per cent have jobs in their field of study especially after only 9 months. Sometimes it can take an adjustment period so for them that quickly to find jobs in their field of study is a good indication that there's a strong labour market and that the programs are well-oriented towards it", Frison explained.
Nine out of ten graduates also said they would recommend Assiniboine Community College to a friend or family member.
[image supplied to us by Assiniboine Community College]
- Details
- Contributed by Alec Woolston
Thursday Night was a special one for the Dauphin Agricultural Society as they were finally able to meet in person.
The Society held their annual general meeting at the Aspen Lodge and it was well attended. One of the major changes is they have a new president. Terron Stykalo was named the Society's president. Terron's dad used to be the president and he grew up always saying 'dad, one day I'm going to be the president' and now that dream has come true.
"It's a pretty humbling feeling, the Dauphin Ag Society is one of the longest-lasting organizations in the community," said Stykalo. "It's humbling and it's an honour to be a part of the executive committee."
Terron says he's looking forward to leading the Society moving forward and one of the biggest things on the agenda right now is planning a return to the Dauphin Fair. Stykalo said they plan on returning on Canada Day.
Also on Thursday night, the Society presented the Ron Brook Memorial Award to Rodger Sheldon of Ste. Rose.
"I kind of knew Rodger from baseball because he was an umpire for many years, so that's where I knew him from," said Stykalo. "I also know that he has done so much incredible work in the agriculture industry in our region so he's extremely deserving of this award."
The Society also presented its first-ever volunteer award, given to someone who has gone above and beyond. And the winner of this year's award is the late Richard Beyette. Richard passed away earlier this month so his family was on hand to accept the award.
"We couldn't have named a more deserving person to win this very first volunteer award," said Stykalo. "Richard never missed a meeting and he took on any task. Without people like Richard, organizations don't last. He did so many incredible things and he will forever be missed."
- Details
- Contributed by Darnell Duff
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, Brandon University will continue with its existing restrictions and mandates that they have been using.
This means that classes of 25 or fewer will continue to be held in person, where possible, and where space and scheduling considerations permit, while most larger classes will continue to be held online.
All students and staff will have to be vaccinated in order to be on campus as well as masks are required to be worn while indoors. The university is also continuing enhanced ventilation and sanitization.
So for the most part, the Winter Term that begins in January will be the same as the term taking place right now; however, there will be a few small changes.
Some classes of more than 25 students may be held in person, if the professor requests it, if pedagogical reasons support it, and if physical distancing can be reasonably maintained. Professors can talk to their Deans to discuss possibilities.
As well, some more public events may be held on campus, for example, meetings for community groups that the university has traditionally hosted. These events will be permitted so long as all attendees can follow BU’s COVID precautions and all public health orders.
- Details
- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Jeannie Thompson of Swan River has been safely located.
The 45-year-old woman was last known to be in Brandon on October 28 at around 3:30 a.m., when she told her family that she was travelling home.
On Thursday, RCMP confirmed that she was found.
- Details
- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Swan River RCMP Detachment has started a program to help provide some comfort to those who find themselves as a victim of crime.
The Cops and Quilts initiative was recently developed by members at the Detachment and it's one that a local quilt group is certainly rallying around. Juanita Bettesworth says many times victims of crime are at the detachment while evidence is being gathered. It's at that time that the victim is very vulnerable and that's where the Cops and Quilts Program comes in.
The Bowsman United Church Quilt Group has donated handmade quilts to the Detachment and they plan on giving them out to victims. Already more than 10 quilts have been donated to the program.
"I know within our office, this program has certainly been well received," said Bettesworth. "And anyone that we have talked to, they love the idea. It's just a small thing that we can do to show our support for victims in our community."
Bettesworth believes that every act of kindness, no matter how small, will help promote a more caring community.
If you have some quilts that you would like to donate, you can do so by contacting the Swan River Detachment at 734-4686. Officers can pick them up or you can drop them off, whichever is easiest for you.
- Details
- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Beginning on Monday, the Roblin Health Emergency Department will only be open on weekends.
Due to staffing issues, the department will open at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday's and it'll remain open until Monday at 8:30 a.m.
When it's not open, individuals needing emergency care are encouraged to call the Roblin Health Centre at 937-2142 to determine the nearest open emergency department.
Ambulance service will continue every day for Roblin and surrounding areas, you will just be transported to another hospital during the week.
- Details
- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The number of active cases in Manitoba dropped by 200 according to today's COVID-19 update from the province. Yesterday's active case count was 1,345 while today's is 1,145. There are no active cases in Dauphin.
Overall, 154 new cases of the virus were reported in the province today. 95 of which aren't vaccinated, 7 are partially vaccinated and 52 are fully vaccinated.
The test positivity remains at 4.9% provincially.
Of today's cases:
17 are in the Prairie Mountain Health Region
15 are in the Interlake/Eastern health region
21 are in the Northern health region
70 are in the Southern health region
33 are in the Winnipeg health region
The numbers of active cases in other Parkland health districts are:
Riding Mountain (3), Swan River (8), Duck Mountain (27), Porcupine Mountain (28), Agassiz Mountain (3), Asessippi (10), Little Saskatchewan (9), Whitemud (1). Brandon has 17 active cases.
In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has four active cases. The Fisher/Peguis district has six active cases.
There are 1,145 active COVID-19 cases in the province.
86 Manitobans are hospitalized with active COVID-19.
19 Manitobans are in intensive care units with active COVID-19.
- Details
- Contributed by Alec Woolston
The Dauphin Ag Society is all ready to host its annual general meeting on Thursday night.
It'll take place at the Aspen Lodge inside the Parkland Rec Complex at 7:00 p.m.
Things on the agenda for the night include the presentation of the first annual volunteer award and the lifetime member awards. New positions will also be filled and dinner will be served. Jamie Damsgaard is the president and she says it's exciting to hold the event in person.
"It's been a long 20 or so months, so we're really happy that we can host this meeting in person," said Damsgaard. "Holding an annual general meeting virtually just isn't quite the same."
If you haven't already signed up to take part in Thursday's meeting, you missed out as the registration has come to a close. However, you can still become a member by getting in touch with the Dauphin Ag Society on Facebook. Jamie says it's a great group to be a part of.
"We're more than willing to have anyone that is looking to help out, that's for sure," said Damsgaard. "We have a really good group of people that are interested in trying to preserve agriculture in our community and we don't require a lot of time from folks."
Jamie says giving back to the community is always a great feeling.
- Details
- Contributed by Darnell Duff
