Portage

Farmers are winding down their seeding operations in Manitoba

Cereal Specialist Anne Kirk put together this week's crop report and says provincially 95 per cent of the crop is now in the ground.

Summer has officially arrived in Portage la Prairie, at least at Splash Island.

The popular outdoor pool on Island Park kicked off its season Monday, welcoming swimmers for the first official day of summer fun, proving that even cloudy skies can't dampen the spirit of the season.

Despite the grey and cool weather, the unmistakable sounds of splashing and laughter filled the air as a couple of local student classes were the first to break in the water for the year.

For those wondering how anyone could brave the cool temperatures, the secret is in the water.

Local groups and individuals in Portage la Prairie continue working together to support evacuees from northern Manitoba wildfires, as dozens of displaced residents remain in temporary accommodations across the city.

Mari Kozar, executive director of the Portage la Prairie Community Revitalization Corporation (PCRC), says they’re coordinating support efforts with the city and other stakeholders.

Ag in Motion showcases the latest advancements in agricultural technology and equipment, and brings together farmers, industry leaders and ag experts from across Canada. 

The show takes place every July near Langham, Saskatchewan, and is Western Canada’s largest outdoor farm expo. Find out more information about this three-day farm show here or visit the Ag in Motion news feed on The Western Producer's website.

Last Friday, Portage la Prairie opened its doors to more than 250 wildfire evacuees from northern Manitoba. As evacuation demands and limited space continue to challenge the province, the city has stepped up to offer shelter and solidarity during these uncertain times.

Testing ground and surface water sources can help determine if there are contaminants present that can affect animal health and production. In Saskatchewan, common contaminants include sulfate, sodium, nitrate, and iron. Stagnant surface water sources that experience nutrient-loading may be susceptible to blue-green algae, which can produce toxins that are unsafe for livestock.

The Prairie Pest Monitoring Network report shows flea beetle activity is getting started across the prairies. The warm weather seems to have brought them out of overwintering locations. So far it seems crucifer flea beetles are more prevalent than the striped flea beetles.

If you have enjoyed the heat in May, you are in for a treat this summer. The Senior Climatologist with Environment Canada has released his summer weather outlook and says the month of May is a sign of things to come.

Weather forecasters use the meteorological calendar, which means summer starts on June 1st and ends on August 31st. David Phillips is forecasting those three months to be warmer than normal for the entire province of Manitoba. He notes that each of those three months is expected to be warmer. 

A brand-new baseball diamond complex in the RM of Coldwell is officially open, capping off more than a decade of planning, hard work, and volunteer dedication.

The grand opening celebration took place this past Saturday. The event will featured games by all local teams, a barbecue, and a fully operational concession.

Located just west of Lundar on Road 419, near the RM shop and airstrip, the four-diamond facility has already become a hub of activity.

CAPI report says data strategies in agriculture need to be a 10-year national priority

Digital agriculture should be a national strategic priority with focused funding in the next federal-provincial-territorial policy agreement to help drive farmer-level adoption, says a new report from the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute.

CAPI collaborated with EMILI, a non-profit Manitoba organization focused on digital agriculture proving and adoption.