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This week in the Manitoba Crop Report generally saw scattered showers, cooler conditions, and some challenges as a result.
The combination led to fewer growing degree days, totaling 95% or less for this time of year.
The northwest was a bit lucky in the rain department, as we had some of the dryer conditions seen across the province.
Across the province, crops are beginning to move along well, though some are dealing with excess water and pest problems.
For Cereals, fall and winter crops have been treated for fusarium head blight, and winter crop conditions are generally quite good. Fall rye/winter wheat stands are at the milk to soft dough stage.
Grain corn currently ranges from V4 to V6, and Oats and Spring Wheat are averaging four-leaf stage to stem elongation. Some of the earliest crops are nearing head emergence though.
For Oilseeds, canola is between the rosette and flowering stages, Sunflowers are at the V8 to V12 growth stage and Flax crops range from growth stage 4 to 5. there are some locations in the interlake and eastern regions where canola is behind a full-growth stage.
Pulses and soybeans are a bit of a mixed bag. Soybeans range heavily from the first to third trifoliate stages, with development overall delayed due to the cooler temperatures. Field peas find themselves in the 8-10 node stages, and dry beans are in the first and second trifoliate stages.
Cattle are making the most of strong growth due to the moist soil conditions. Farms that are still calving may be supplementing on smaller paddocks close to the yard.
Dugouts and irrigation ponds are mostly recharged, with many rivers full, and some ditches with standing water in them. There seems to be an increase in skunks, raccoons, and coyotes this year, possibly due to the wet conditions in low-lying areas providing more cover.
Grass and forages are growing nicely, though are wanting more of the hot weather like everything. Bromes and ryegrasses are heading, and alfalfa is mid-flowering. Grasses have headed out, except for big blue stem and little blue stem grasses. It appears to be a promising hay crop ahead, with hopes that the rains will ease during harvesting.
To get specific to the northwest region, excess moisture is still the biggest problem. some areas have heavy isolated rains, keeping the soil saturated.
Field peas are continuing in the vegetative stage, and most advanced fields are starting to flower. They are looking good for the most part, depending on the region.
The majority of spring wheat is in the late tiller stage. Some areas are looking good, while other areas are moisture-stressed.
Canola crops continue to be quite varied. Some of the earliest seeded fields have bolted and are close to flowering, while some crops are still at seedling stage. Flea beetle pressure continues and requires multiple insecticide applications. With some areas being so saturated, spraying has been delayed, and controlling flea beetles has been a challenge.
Herbicide applications are ongoing as stages are reached; however, wind and wet conditions continue to challenge timely applications. Some poorer fields across the region are starting to bolt due to stress.
Soybean crops continue in vegetative growth and range from one to three trifoliate stages. Growth has been slow and would greatly benefit from some heat.
And finally, Winter wheat and Fall rye crops are headed out.
With a hot, muggy week on the way, growth is sure to be bolstered, but there is still a lot of concern over the amount of rain coming with it.
Until next week, stay safe, and best of luck in your respective fields.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Are you looking for some help getting all signed up to volunteer for the Manitoba Summer Games?
If so, you're in luck. The host committee will be hosting volunteer help/sign-up sessions on Wednesday, Thursday, and Monday, July 8th. The Games Committee will be on hand to answer any of your questions. All sessions will take place at the Credit Union Place lobby between 4 and 8.
The MSG will take place from August 11 to 17 in Dauphin and the surrounding area.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The RCMP are on the search for an offender, considered a high-risk, who's evading police.
Clay Branton Starr, also known as Chad Crate, Clayton Starr, Richard Starr, and other aliases is wanted for breaching conditions imposed after his federal release on June 20th.
Starr, 33, was to reside in Sandy Bay First Nation, but is evading police and is believed to frequent the Winnipeg and Brandon area.
He is considered violent and should not be confronted. Starr is also considered to be a high risk to re-offend in a sexual manner and females are at risk of sexual violence.
Starr is described as six feet tall, 262 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He has scars on the bridge of his nose and his chin, lettering tattoos on his neck, and sleeve tattoos on each arm.
If you have information, please call the Manitoba High-Risk Sex Offender Unit at 204-679-2257 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
The Province has announced $25,000,000 for Electric Vehicle incentivization for new and recent purchases.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Tracy Schmidt and Finance Minister Adrien Sala announced this earlier today, to incentivize a large shift to EVs.
For people purchasing electric vehicles, this would mean $4,000 for new, qualifying vehicles, and $2500 for used EVs from August of last year, to March of 2026.
The ministers also noted that Manitoba Hydro will offer Manitobans a financing program to install Level 2 electric vehicle chargers at their homes.
As this works retroactively, Manitobans who purchased an EV since August 1 can apply for this incentive at the MPI website, starting today.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
The RCMP Underwater Recovery Team has been called out to five drownings already in 2024, and if previous years are any indication, they expect to be called out to more.
The latest was Saturday when the body of a 31-year-old man was pulled from the north basin of Lake Winnipeg near Grand Rapids.
The man was one of three people who went out on a boat Friday to hunt for moose but did not return home.
Corporal Kathryn Ternier, Head of the RCMP Underwater Recovery team, says while her team also dives to assist other RCMP units in locating items underwater that are related to an investigation, it is the grim task of recovering drowning victims that keeps them busy.
She emphasizes that people should not be fearful of the water, but instead need to respect it.
That includes knowing the body of water you are swimming in, ensuring that you are wearing a lifejacket or PFD if you are unaware of the area you are swimming or boating, and avoiding obstacles such as dams or fast-moving water.
You are also encouraged to never swim alone, and to never swim while impaired.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
First Nations women interested in a career as an electrician are encouraged to sign up for an information session this week, regarding a 10-month program being offered through First Peoples Development Inc.
Their Construction Electrician Pre-Employment program is set to begin in early August in Winnipeg.
The program will teach women all the facets of the electrician trade over its duration.
Program head Pavlo Romanskyi says a special information session for prospective participants is set for this week.
"People that are interested (in registering) can call us at 204-987-9570. It will take place on July 4th at 2 pm. It is going to be online via Zoom, and it is important to register by July 3rd."
The program is roughly 1,200 hours in length, and participants will have their level 1 electrician accreditation upon completiion with credit for 900 hours towards apprenticeship.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Mossey River Municipality is asking motorists to exercise caution when traveling on some of their roads.
They say some roads are experiencing localized flooding brought on by continued high amounts of precipitation.
Anyone with questions or concerns is asked to contact the municipal office at 204-656-4791.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
The city has announced that Dutch Elm disease surveys are underway in Dauphin.
Provincial inspectors will be in private and public areas in the city over the coming weeks to look for infected trees, as well as elm firewood with the bark still attached - which can spread Dutch Elm disease and is illegal to store.
The inspectors, who will be wearing high visibility vests and government-issued I-D, will knock on your door prior to taking branch samples, marking DED-infected trees, or marking elm firewood for removal.
Residents are also cautioned that these inspections might take place during evening hours or on weekends.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Northwest Metis Council has announced a new location for their Overnight Drop-In Center.
Effective tonight (July 1st), the overnight drop-in center will be moving to the Northwest Metis Council's former office at 40 - 1st Avenue NW.
It will be open daily from 8 pm to 8 am, and continue to offer a warm and safe environment for people experiencing homelessness.
Access to the building can be gained through the side door on the parking lot side.
An official grand opening is being planned for a later date.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
There are lots of smiles from everyone involved with Dauphin's Countryfest.
The three-day music festival wrapped up Sunday night, with President Duane McMaster projecting a 10-15 per cent increase in ticket sales from last year.
He feels the "90's Country" theme for this year's festival played a big part in that boost in sales.
"As soon as we announced the lineup, we got a ton of positive feedback about the lineup. I think that obviously had a lot to do with the ticket sales. And, yes, we are getting a lot of positive feedback from everyone that they really enjoyed it and that they like seeing and hearing 90's country. So we think we pulled a win out of the hat there."
McMaster is quick to realize that an event like Dauphin's Countryfest is a team effort.
"The event is put on by volunteers. We have a huge number of volunteers that put in time for this. Our sponsors have been fantastic, the community support has been fantastic this year. But I really want to throw out my kudos to my fellow board members. There is a 13-member board (in total) and they have went above and beyond this year to make this event possible. They have worked their butts off with every aspect of this festival to make it the great event that it is today."
McMaster says planning will begin almost immediately for the 2025 edition of the festival.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Dauphin Ag Society Fair was a focal point of family fun this weekend.
According to Terron Stykalo, President of the Ag Society, upwards of 7000 people walked through the gates to enjoy a summer staple in Dauphin.
Inside and out, there was no shortage of things to do. In Credit Union Place, a 35-foot-tall brachiosaurus immediately catches the eye, as the Dinomite Adventures had minigolf, displays, and dinos.
There was also the small animal display, featuring farm friends from geese to goats to even a zonky (zebra-donkey) for people to pet.
Just outside the doors of the CUP, the Select Shows midway was a symphony to the senses, with the smell of delicious fair food, screams of excitement, and bumping music creating an atmosphere like none other.
Friday, however, did have its hiccups, as a constant rain throughout the day drove off a lot of fair-goers, and even shut down the midway temporarily due to safety concerns.
That much water and electricity can be a bad mix.
Nonetheless, Saturday and Sunday had perfect weather to get out and experience what the fair offers.
The agricultural component, as always, was massive.
From the 4-H clubs from across the Parkland gathering for the Beef & Sheep Show & Sale, Stock Dog competition, the Chore Team Competitions, and horse showings, tons of powerful animals, and the people that care for them, were putting on their very best.
Due to the inclement weather, unfortunately the Chuck and Chariots were canceled for the year.
The race track was not dry in time for even the final showings, and there was just too much risk that a horse could slip and injure themselves in the mud.
In his closing statements, Stykalo says that all of this is only possible because of the community spirit that shines here in Dauphin.
"I'd like to, number one, thank the volunteers at the Dauphin Ag Society. They do a phenomenal job and they make me look way too good. Everyone thinks I work hard, but these people here certainly surpass in that aspect. I couldn't do it without them. All of our sponsors, this fair would not run without them. And, of course, all of the community support we have from everybody coming and attending the fair. We do this for you, so thank you so much for coming out and supporting us."
After experiencing the Dauphin Ag Society Fair, I'm excited to see what next year has in store!
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
