Flea Beetles Down, But Other Pests Arise

The Agricultural world continues its seasonal shift, with what feels like the first hot week of summer bringing changes.

One of those changes is the Insect population, something Dr. John Gavloski knows all about.

"Flea beetles are naturally dying off once we get into July. We're pretty much out of the flea-beetle pressure right now. Levels are naturally decreasing because the overwinter beetles are dying out and in most cases, the canola in not beyond the susceptible stages."

His reports detail other rising pests populations which include grasshoppers in the central and northwest areas, True Armyworms in interlake forage crops, and the first soybean aphids in the Elm Creek area.

Gavloski notes that both the grasshopper and aphid populations have been heavily delayed due to the heavy rain and generally cooler start to the season.

Details: Contributed by Michael Brossart; Published: Jul 12, 2024 - 7:45 am

The first train to arrive in Dauphin was in December 1896.

16 years later in 1912, the Dauphin Rail Station was built. Fast forward to 1998 and it was designated a Manitoba Heritage Building and two years later, a Heritage Railway Station of Canada. The first train in 1896 arrived on a small local railway (Lake Manitoba Railway and Canal Company) that was purchased, owned and operated by Sir William Mackenzie and Sir Donald Mann. An event in Canadian history that would forever change the landscape of immigration, settlement, agriculture and commerce. Over the next two decades, these two would embark on a remarkable adventure that would eventually result in a 16,000 km transcontinental system called the Canadian Northern Railway.

This week, Jason Gilmore is thrilled to be a part of Historic Places Days.

It's a week-long event that profiles and promotes historic places from coast to coast within Canada, increasing visitation to historic places such as the Dauphin Rail Station/Museum. The week-long event is July 10 to 17 with the theme of "Food and Garden Experiences".

The area to the east of the Dauphin Rail Station was laid out as a formal garden with the viewing orientation being from the raised wooden station platform and track. Records show the area west of the Station was an attractive lawn bowling green surrounded by shrubs.

Gilmore is president of the Dauphin Rail Museum.

"This is not something I take lightly, I feel very privileged and blessed to be in this position," said Gilmore. "There is so much beauty within this building, the architecture is incredible. To have a rail station and museum in a community our size is incredible."

The Dauphin Rail Museum exists to preserve, interpret and present the rich railway history of Dauphin and the Parkland area. Gilmore invites you down to check out the history of the building.

Summer Hours:
Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

"It's about learning about our past and the history behind it all," ended Gilmore.

The Dauphin Rail Museum exists to preserve, interpret and present the rich railway history of Dauphin and the Parkland area. Gilmore invites you down to check out the history of the building.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jul 12, 2024 - 5:00 am

There's a busy week of seminars for the Manitoba Beef and Forage Initiative.

MaryJane Orr, GM for MBFI has three separate events coming this week on some fascinating topics.

"It's going to be a very diverse and well-rounded day, and the theme tying everything together is different ways technology is used in beef production"

These topics will range from Pasture rejuvenation to using drones in different aspects of agriculture, featuring special guest speaker Steve Kenyon of Greener Pastures Ranching.

They will take place at several locations across the province, and Orr mentions that all 3 events are free to attend

Looking forward to seeing you on either July 16 (MBFI), July 17 (Vita), & July 18 (Chatfield), all great days with Steve...
Posted by Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives Inc. on Friday, June 28, 2024

Stay tuned for the noon-hour edition on Monday for the full conversation with General Manager MaryJane Orr.

Details: Contributed by Michael Brossart; Published: Jul 12, 2024 - 3:33 am

The Gilbert Plains Grandview Ag Society Fair and Rodeo Returns again this weekend!

Starting tomorrow, It will be a packed weekend of bull riding, barrel racing, Chuckwagons, Chariots, and much more.

Ag Society President Kevin Boese had a hard time picking a favorite of these many events.

"Well, between the bull riding, the saddle broncs, the rough stock events and the chuck wagons, it's extremely exciting to watch. There's some amazing horsemanship that goes into the chuck wagons with those guys trying to guide four horses around the barrels and cruising around that track, it's quite something to watch."

Between all the main rodeo action, there will also be mutton busting, chore competition, and other halftime shows to keep the excitement rolling.

He also mentions that with everything going on, the prices can't be beat.

"Friday is 15 bucks for a day pass, Saturday is 20, and Sunday is 15, but if you get a weekend pass, $35, you can take in all 3 days. like I say, you really can't afford not to come."

So whether you take a day, or the full weekend, you'll find no shortage of entertainment at the Gilbert Plains Grandview Ag Society Fair and Rodeo!

Posted by Gilbert Plains-Grandview Ag Society on Monday, July 8, 2024

Details: Contributed by Michael Brossart; Published: Jul 11, 2024 - 5:49 pm

Big Game Draw results will be released tomorrow.

Based on this year’s review of licences, the province has decided to reduce the number of licences in a limited number of Game Hunting Areas.

This year, this was done to balance population sustainability and the needs of harvesters while still offering hunting opportunities.

Overall, there are no changes to Elk draw numbers, but available moose draw licences have been reduced in four of the province’s 62 game hunting areas.

You'll be able to find more details at the Government of Manitoba Website

Details: Contributed by Michael Brossart; Published: Jul 11, 2024 - 4:19 pm

Fusion Credit Union has awarded $18,000 in scholarships this year to high school graduates entering post-secondary programs.

Now in its fifth year, the Fusion Scholarship Program was developed to support students in their academic ventures and to invest in the future of our communities. Since its inception, Fusion has handed out more than $100,000 in scholarship dollars to support more than 200 graduates across their 18 communities and beyond.

Darwin Johns is the CEO of Fusion Credit Union.

“At Fusion, we actively support our members to achieve great things, because their success is our success,” says Darwin Johns, CEO. “We see these scholarships as an investment in tomorrow’s leaders and innovators.”

12 scholarships were given out to graduates of the Dauphin Regional Comprehensive Secondary School (DRCSS). Each of the 12 were given $500 for their post-secondary studies.

The list includes Ava Paziuk, Breanna Gryba, Dalayna Tomlinson, Ellie Czarnecki, Kara Paziuk, Kendel Gibbs, Kiara Wilson, Madisson Garton, Marti Nichol, Raylyn Koshowski, Reese Boguski, and Tristyn Hanneson.

“We wish them all the best going into this new chapter of their lives,” ended Johns. “Fusion is here for them every step of the way.”

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jul 11, 2024 - 4:18 pm

Following a high-profile trial that lasted more than a month, Jeremy Skibicki will be spending the next at least 25 years behind bars.

On Thursday morning, the serial killer was convicted of first-degree murder in the deaths of four women in Winnipeg. Manitoba Court of King's Bench Chief Justice Glenn Joyal delivered the ruling.

One of the females who was murdered was Rebecca Contois, who was 24. Contois was a member of O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation, also known as Crane River. Morgan Harris, 39, and Marcedes Myran, 26, were both members of the Long Plain First Nation. An unidentified woman community leaders have given the name Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe, or Buffalo Woman was the fourth victim.

Skibicki had previously pleaded not guilty to the four counts. While he did admit to the killings, he argued that he should not be found criminally responsible because of a mental disorder, specifically schizophrenia. Once the verdict was handed out, the courtroom erupted with cheers and applause.

In a media release, Premier Wab Kinew had the following to say on the verdict.

Today is a significant day in the history of Manitoba. It is important that there is accountability for what are some of the worst crimes in our province’s history. I thank Chief Justice Glenn Joyal for showing respect to the victims, their families and the context of MMIWG2S+ in which the verdict was delivered.

This verdict is a relief for so many in our province because it meets our expectations on how any of us as Manitobans would want our families to be treated if we were thrown into such a terrible situation.

Women are sacred and what the admitted serial killer has been found guilty of represents a dark violation of the way our society is supposed to function and of the basic dignity to which each person is entitled.

Skibicki now faces an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years.

Following the verdict, Kinew says he spoke to the families of Myran, Harris, and Contos to offer them support and hear their reactions.

On behalf of the Manitoba government, I thank the families of these women. The people of this great land join you in remembering your loved ones," said Kinew.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jul 11, 2024 - 3:04 pm

The three people charged in relation to a trio of armed robberies in Dauphin in early March have all made recent court appearances.

24-year-old Mallory Catcheway of Brandon was in Dauphin court on Monday and had her matters put over until August 27th.

Meanwhile, 24-year-old Lorenzo Ducharme and 30-year-old Desmond Parenteau - both of Duck Bay - appeared on Tuesday and were remanded back into custody until their next appearances - this Friday for Parenteau and September 10th for Ducharme.

And a Dauphin man accused of assaulting one person and then assaulting and spitting on a police officer was also back in court.

30-year-old Shayne Lavallee had his case recessed until July 18th.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Jul 11, 2024 - 3:00 pm

The province has launched its latest round of applications for the Canada-Manitoba Job Grant.

The fund, which gives funding to Manitoba businesses to help them train new and current employees, benefitted 485 companies and organizations during the 2023-24 intake period and trained 9,615 employees - including 763 new hires.

Over the last two years, a total of $10 has been made available through this grant, which gives funding to Manitoba businesses to help them train new and current employees.

This year, $3 million is being made available through the Labour Market Transfer Agreement with the Federal Government.

Employers are eligible to receive up to $10,000 per employee and up to $100,000 per training project.

Small employers with 100 or fewer employees can receive up to 75 per cent of eligible training costs, while larger employers can receive up to 50 per cent of training costs.

Applications will be accepted until July 24th through the government's website gov.mb.ca.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Jul 11, 2024 - 1:00 pm

The entire Parkland region, as well as all of Central and Southern Manitoba, is under a heat warning by Environment Canada.

The weather service says humidex levels are expected to reach 40 degrees, both Thursday and Friday.

An upper ridge that has blanketed the rest of Western Canada this week has moved into Manitoba today.

A slight reprieve is likely beginning late Friday into the weekend as the warmest air shifts southward, though temperatures will remain well above seasonal into early next week.

Environment Canada adds extreme heat can affect everyone’s health, with the health risks greater for older adults, infants and young children, pregnant people, people with physical and/or mental illnesses, and people with disabilities or mobility issues.

Watch for the effects of heat illness: swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and the worsening of some health conditions.

You are also encouraged to drink plenty of water regularly to decrease your risk of dehydration.