Weekly Crop Report
Parkland crops are still being assessed for damage following this past weekends storm.
Extreme winds blew soil from exposed fields, and others areas were affected by excessive moisture and frost damage.
According to the provinces latest weekly crop report, there was good seeding progress made throughout the Parkland area over the last week.
Seeding is approximately 70 per cent complete, with 90 per cent of cereals having made it in the ground and seeing about 25 per cent emergence.
Weed growth is general throughout most of the region, and some flea beetle activity continues on volunteer canola.
Pasture and hay growth remains slow due to the cooler temperatures.
---
Premier Says Confidentiality Needed In Severance Payouts
Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger cited the need for confidentiality when questioned in the house by the opposition about severance packages given to seven of his former advisers.
He wouldn't say whether the $670,00 in total severance pay was required under the workers' contracts, or something simply offered to them as they left.
He said employment agreements are confidential matters.
Conservative Leader Brian Pallister said the secrecy raises questions about whether taxpayers paid more than they should have for departing political staff.
---
Pest Lab Accepting Clubroot Samples
Earlier this year, the Pest Surveillance Initiative was established in Winnipeg with the goal of testing canola soil for clubroot disease.
The lab is currently accepting samples from producers in an effort to help track the disease.
Holly Derksen, field crop pathologist with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development says the lab is able to detect clubroot at very low levels.
Derksen notes that sampling may be free of charge depending on where the field is located.
---
Students Protest UoM Cuts
Students at the University of Manitoba have staged a mock funeral to mark what they call the death of education.
Yesterday's protest was in response to planned budget cuts at the university, which has a $14 million shortfall.
The new budget would see departments throughout the university facing a four per cent cut.
University president David Barnard said it's possible students won't see some courses offered next year, and some jobs could be affected.
---
Canadians Managing Their Massive Debt
A new report by the Fraser Institute shows Canadians are carrying record amounts of debt, but managing their finances prudently.
The report authored by StatsCan's former chief economic analyst, Philip Cross, says the growth of household debt has slowed since 2009, and the cost of servicing that borrowing is at a record low share of income.
Cross says many Canadians have also shifted their borrowing from consumer credit to mortgages, locking in lower interest rates.
StatsCan has reported that for every dollar of disposable income, households late last year owed about $1.63 in consumer credit, mortgage and non-mortgage loans.
---
Driven Over Foot Led To Violent Biker Brawl
Investigators are racking up lots of overtime in Waco, Texas at the scene of Sunday's bloody biker gang fight that left nine dead and 18 wounded.
Detectives continue to search vehicles outside a restaurant where rival gangs gathered and have so far collected 50 knives and guns.
Dozens more may found during crime scene analysis today.
Police said yesterday the deadly brawl apparently began with a parking dispute and someone running over a gang member's foot.
