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The wet weather has been creating serious problems for producers, and the roadways they travel.

RM of Dauphin Reeve Ernie Sirski is increasingly concerned about the moisture.

"The first thing it does is impact our roads. it wasn't just the rain, but it was also that snow fell last Thursday-Friday. Snow is actually worse than rain because snow doesn't run off, it just sits there."

These roads have proven tough to maintain, as the machinery to repair the ruts can barely make it through the soggy conditions.

Sirski also mentioned that some river crossings have also needed repairs multiple times.

The heavy rain has also been pushing seeding time frames to an uncomfortable limit.

"We're fighting an inadvertent amount of water here right now. we had a great start on April 28th, had a couple of days off, and then a week where we really had great seeding conditions and then it just got miserable."

With seeding just past the 50% mark for much of the northwest region, a time crunch has become very apparent for local producers.

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Contributed by Michael Brossart

Published: May 29, 2024 - 6:15 pm

The Parkland Chamber of Commerce and Workforce Education Manitoba are putting on a Parkland Business Bus Tour in mid-June.

Participants will visit Winnipegosis and Ste Rose on June 11th, before seeing businesses in Dauphin, Gilbert Plains, and Grandview on June 12th, 

Stephanie Jaddock with Workforce Education Manitoba says they are looking to build essenttial skills through this event.

"Those are things like what kind of reading and writing and what kind of communication skills you need. And I think that just bringing awareness to what workplace education can bring to businesses and individuals to help them grow and reach their goals that they have individually or as a business or as a community.  And I think that creating a collaborative environment where we can share information and learn from each other - I think the bus will really help us with that."

Chamber Executive Director Stephen Chychota says there are several benefits for members to take part in one or both days of this event.

"The story telling that we have on this and the ability to share what is going on out here.  We can not share enough about what is going on in this region.  And there is a tremendous amount of opportunity, but also progress that is happening.  And we have to be able to tell that story.  I think that it is making those connections and having that ability to collaborate - it is getting members together."

Participants can register for either one day at a cost of $50, or both days for $80.

You are encouraged to register by early next week through the Parkland Chamber's website.

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Contributed by Jeff Henson

Published: May 29, 2024 - 2:00 pm

Residents in McCreary are being notified that Pulblic Works crews for that Municipality will begin work around 1 pm this afternoon on a broken fire hydrant in that community.

They say residents may experience low water pressure or a disruption of service while the repairs are taking place. 

The municipality thanks McCreary residents in advance for their patience and they apologize for any inconveniences these repairs may present. 

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Contributed by Jeff Henson

Published: May 29, 2024 - 11:44 am

Another week of wet weather made for a bit of a slowdown in progress.

This week's crop report was headlined by a special weather statement, as some areas of the province received massive amounts of rain and even some snow over a 48-hour period.

Winkler received the most precipitation accumulating 86.7 mm over 25 hours. Parts of the Central, Southwest, and Northwest regions received precipitation as wet snow as temperatures dropped.

The Northwest regions also saw a great deal of rain, as Amaranth logged 66.3mm, with the least being the Pas at 6mm.

Many areas have exceeded 200% of normal precipitation.

Across the province, seeding is slightly behind the 5-year average, though some locations have met challenges with the saturated soils.

Provincial seeding progress is about 64% complete and behind the 5-year average of 75% for week 21.

Winter cereal crops are growing well, with much of the early seeded cereals at the five-leaf stage with one tiller. 

Spring seeding for wheat is at 87%, barley at 79%, and oats at 76%. Grain corn planting is 80% complete with most of the early planted corn at V3 stage.

Oil seeds are still a bit behind, as canola and sunflowers are at 41%.

Pulse and soybeans range a fair bit, as Field Peas sit at 96% complete, Soybeans at 55%, and Dry beans at 24%

This excess rain was soaked up in the pastures, as there was tremendous growth. even then, low-lying areas still had some standing water that could cause some issues. 

Closer to home in the Northwest Region, the rain and snow were very unwelcome guests.

The areas of Mccrearly and Amaranth were bombarded by 66mm of rain, while the Pas or saw 6mm.

The recent precipitation has caused excess moisture concerns in the Dauphin/Ste. Rose/Grandview areas. Warm, dry conditions are needed as there are seeded and unseeded fields with surplus moisture.

Cooler weather has slowed down plant growth, which isn't all bad news.

Weed growth is also slowed, which is great, as herbicide application has been tough with how soggy the fields are.

Field pea seeding has pretty much wrapped up with progress approximately 99% complete, with the earliest seeded field peas are beginning V2 stage.

 Spring wheat seeding is 80-85% complete. Earliest seeded wheat is emerged and growing nicely.

Canola seeding progress is slower this week and is at 30% complete. Some of the earliest seeded canola has emerged and is at the cotyledon stage.

Soybean seeding progress is at 35% complete. Winter wheat and fall rye crops are growing nicely, however there was some reseeding due to winterkill.

This week luckily has less rain and more sunshine in the forecast, a welcome sight for everyone.

We'll be back next week with another edition of the weekly Manitoba Crop report.

Until then, here's hoping things dry up enough for some significant progress, and safe, speedy seeding.

Details

Contributed by Michael Brossart

Published: May 29, 2024 - 6:00 am

This weekend, the Second Annual Dauphin Pride Walk is being hosted again, thanks to the Northwest Metis Council.

In partnership with the Dauphin Friendship Center, the DRCSS QSA, Assiniboine Community College, and the Mountain View Teacher Association

Starting Saturday, June 1st at 12:30 pm at the DRCSS, the parade will go to Vermillion Park, where an afternoon of festivities awaits.

There will be many speakers, from Mayor Dave Bosiak, MLA, and Ag Minister Ron Kostyshyn, and plenty of local entertainment.

Francis Chartrand, Vice President of the Northwest Metis Council, hopes everyone feels welcome to join the festivities.

"We want to make sure that it's a safe environment. We want people to be proud of who they are and where they come from. I'm a Red River Metis citizen and I'm proud of who I am and where I come from, and I'm proud of my heritage and my culture. Shout out to the world, this is who we are, and we're from Dauphin, we're from Swan River, we're from Camperville or Duck Bay, just be proud and come and celebrate who you are that day."

Vermillion Park will have a foam party, food, music, dancing, and more!

Be sure not to miss the party at Dauphin's second annual Pride Walk.

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Contributed by Michael Brossart

Published: May 28, 2024 - 6:03 pm

A key figure in the preservation and the revitalization of the Michif language in Canada will be presented with an honorary degree during a Brandon University Convocation ceremony later this week.

Elder Norman Fleury will receive a Doctor of Literature during the Faculty of Arts Convocation ceremony, which starts at 2 p.m. Friday at BU’s Healthy Living Centre.

Born in St. Lazare, Elder Fleury is a sixth-generation Michif, known nationally for his efforts to preserve the Michif language, stories, history, and culture.

He introduced the first-ever accredited Michif language course in Canada at B-U, and continues to work with Métis Nation–Saskatchewan, community schools, and the University of Saskatchewan where he is a special lecturer in the College of Education.

Brandon University bestows individuals with an honorary degree based on significant service to the university community or society; excellence in professional life or public service; or advancement of knowledge through research or teaching.

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Contributed by Jeff Henson

Published: May 28, 2024 - 6:00 pm

Wednesday marks the second annual Spring Community Clean-up event, being put on by the Dauphin Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation.

After cleaning up the downtown area last year, Executive Director Amanda Novak says they will be working on Vermillion Park this year.

"We will be providing all of the necessary supplies, including garbage pickers, bags, and gloves in order to make the clean-up process more efficient.  We have 35 volunteers registered, but we are also actively accepting volunteer registrations."

If you can help out, you are asked to contact Tracy at 204-701-1110. 

The clean up begins at 5 pm tomorrow and you are asked to meet in the park. 

"We thought we would concentrate on a part of town that sometimes at this time of year needs it the most.  We want to contribute as much as we can to beautifying green spaces in Dapohin as well as streets and sidewalks, that type of thing."

Novak says the more volunteers they get, the quicker they will be able to cover the entire park. 

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Contributed by Jeff Henson

Published: May 28, 2024 - 2:45 pm

Excellence in teaching, research, and service will be recognized at Brandon University’s two-day Convocation celebration this week.

In addition to diplomas being handed out to about 460 new BU graduates, an important element of Convocation is the presentation of awards to deserving faculty and staff over the course of four ceremonies on Thursday and Friday.

This year’s award recipients include Dr. Nancy Stanley, Professor in the Faculty of Education, who will receive the BU Lifetime Achievement award.

The Senate Award for Excellence in Teaching will be presented to Dr. Kathryn Chachula, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Health Studies, while the BU Alumni Association Award for Excellence in Teaching will be presented to Dr. Steven Robinson, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Arts.

And the Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Community Service will be presented to Dr. Christopher J. Schneider, Professor in the Faculty of Arts.

In addition to these awards, three outstanding educators from Manitoba’s K-12 system will be recognized with Distinguished Teacher Awards.

They include Benita Shwaluk of Shoal Lake School, Christine Tournier-Croft of West Valley School near Manitou, and Jacqueline Tabios of Meadows West School in Winnipeg, who will receive their awards during Thursday afternoon’s ceremony.

The ceremony for the Faculty of Science and the School of Music will begin on Thursday at 10 a.m., followed by the Faculty of Education at 2 p.m. that afternoon.

The Faculty of Health Studies ceremony will take place on Friday at 10 a.m., followed by the Faculty of Arts ceremony at 2 p.m.

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Contributed by Jeff Henson

Published: May 28, 2024 - 1:00 pm

The Dauphin Regional Health Centre has been working on making its spaces more comfortable.

These recently installed Smile Zones are decorated with colorful wildlife paintings that brighten the Health Center's Lab and Imaging waiting areas, among others.

Smile Zones have also been added to the Dauphin Palliative Care Family Room and two treatment rooms in the Emergency Department.

This past weekend, a work crew from the Smilezone Foundation installed gorgeous murals, comfortable chairs, and projectors in these freshly renovated spaces.

A grand opening event will take place on the 14th of June to highlight all of these new smile zones, which received massive funding from the recent Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign.

A total of $65,580 worth of cookies were sold during that campaign, all of which went to the Dauphin Regional Health Centre and this new Smile Zone development.

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Contributed by Michael Brossart

Published: May 28, 2024 - 10:30 am

The Canada Border Services Agency may be seeing strike action after a 96% in favor vote.

Much like the rail strike discussed previously, this could have severe effects on agriculture and trade in the nation.

Job action by CBSA personnel in 2021 nearly brought commercial cross-border traffic to a standstill, causing major delays at airports and borders across the country and a marathon 36-hour bargaining session to reach an agreement.

The union says workers will be in a legal strike position in June, which is also when mediation sessions are scheduled to begin.

CBSA workers have been without a renewed contract for over 2 years.

Details

Contributed by Michael Brossart

Published: May 28, 2024 - 6:00 am