Precipitation levels in western and southern Manitoba were down significantly in April from seasonal normals.
A warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada says we'd need to have many rainy days in May for the region to catch up.
Natalie Hassell warns though at this time, the forecast isn't showing much rain coming.
The dry conditions should get a brief reprieve here in Dauphin over the next couple days as Environment Canada is predicting periods of rainfall between today and Thursday.
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Flooded Farmers Receive Compensation
Four years after their fields were artificially flooded due to the operation of the Shellmouth dam, dozens of farmers in western Manitoba are set to receive compensation from the province.
A government spokesman tells the Winnipeg Free Press that 10 claims worth more than $220,000 have now been approved.
The government says it's received 80 claims for compensation for artificial flooding under an obscure Manitoba law proclaimed in early 2011 covering farmers adversely affected by the operation of the dam.
Manitoba has also admitted that artificial flooding occurred in 2012. It has yet to decide whether it will pay claims for flooding in 2014.
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Pasture Tips For Cattle Producers
Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development is advising cattle producers to wait before turning cattle out to summer pasture.
Forage and Pasture Specialist Tim Clark says it's best to hold off until the pasture grasses get to the three to four-leaf stage.
Clark adds the general rule of thumb is that for every day you hold off at this time of year equals two or three more days of grazing in the late summer and fall.
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Feds Appeal Khadr Bail Decision
The federal government has filed a formal notice of appeal of an Alberta judge's decision to grant Omar Khadr bail while he fights his terrorism convictions in the U-S.
Ottawa also wants a stay of the ruling pending disposition of the case.
The government will make its case before Alberta's court of appeal this morning, arguing that the Edmonton judge had no jurisdiction to hear Khadr's bail application.
It also insists Canada will suffer irreparable harm if the former Guantanamo Bay inmate is released from the Bowden Institution -- which could happen later today.
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Wireless Roaming Decision Comes Today
Canada's telecom regulator will deliver a decision today that could affect the fees you pay if you roam with a wireless device outside of a network area.
The CRTC ruling comes seven months after hearings were launched into the health of the country's wholesale wireless market.
Budget measures adopted by the Harper government last year set a cap on wholesale roaming costs at no more than what carriers charge their retail customers.
But smaller players say the rate cap is hurting them and stifling competition.
