Portage

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew accused a group of Republicans of throwing a "timber tantrum" and playing "political games" after they called out Canada over wildfires sending smoke billowing across the international border into their states.

"These are attention-seekers who can't come up with a good idea on health care or on making life more affordable," Kinew told The Canadian Press. "So they're playing games with something that's very serious."

With harvest approaching, farmers will want to start thinking about pre-harvest intervals (PHI) before applying any pesticides and or fungicides to the crop.

The PHI refers to the minimum number of days between a pesticide application and swathing or straight combining of a crop and reflects the time required for pesticides to break down after being applied.

The Manitoba Canola Growers Association are looking for producer input to help shape the organization's future.

Since 1982, the organization has been farmer-funded and farmer-focused.

Over the years, MCGA has evolved to meet the changing needs of the industry and farmers.

Farmers are being asked to share their thoughts as the organization looks to the future.

When producers log onto the survey, there is a video to watch with an update on programming and the financial realities they are facing.

The survey closes August 11th.

Research finds agriculture waste could be transformed into biogas and fertilizer using bacteria-based techonology

Canadian farms could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while generating renewable energy by converting agricultural waste into biogas, a McGill University doctoral student says.

Anjaly Paul said anaerobic digestion could transform livestock manure and crop residues that would otherwise decompose in landfills into valuable resources.

A Saskatoon-based company has begun field trials of a replacement for granular peat inoculant.

Peat has been used for decades to inoculate crops such as peas and lentils and is a biological that provides consistent benefits, said Dave Greenshields, who founded Insight Plant Health in 2020.

However, customers are looking for a replacement, he told people attending a recent Canada-Saskatchewan Irrigation Diversification Centre field day.

It’s been three years in the making, but for volunteer and co-chair of the Parks Committee, Kim Wikdahl, the wait is finally over, and well worth it.

The installation of Portage la Prairie’s first wheelchair-accessible swing began today in Island Park, marking a major milestone in the push to create more inclusive spaces for local families and visitors alike. The new swing is being installed right next to the existing playground equipment, allowing children of all abilities to play side by side.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is looking into a possible tornado that may have touched down southeast of Belleview on Tuesday evening.

Belleview is a small community in southwestern Manitoba, located between Virden and Souris.

In a weather summary issued early Wednesday morning, ECCC says a tornado report was received on August 5.

At this stage, the event has not been confirmed. However, meteorologists are continuing to investigate the details surrounding the reported tornado.

Gas prices in Portage la Prairie jumped this week, with most stations rising to 137.9 cents per litre from around 129 cents just last week. This increase reflects broader trends seen across Canada over the past two weeks.

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis with GasBuddy, notes that oil prices have climbed back near $70 a barrel after several weeks in the low to mid-60s.

The Portage la Prairie Lions Club is staying busy this summer; cutting grass, collecting food donations, and calling on new members to help preserve its 85-year legacy.

Arishya Aggarwal, who serves on the club’s board of directors, says their free lawn mowing service was launched to support those facing challenges around yard work.

The Portage Youth Hub, a program run through the Portage Community Revitalization Corporation (PCRC), brought some movie magic to local youth this week.

On Tuesday, August 5th, the hub hosted a free showing of the new movie The Bad Guys 2 at Prairie City Cinema for 11 lucky registered participants, who, along with the admission, each got a free regular popcorn and drink, all paid for by the Youth Hub.