Manitoba Agriculture is reminding agricultural producers affected by dry conditions of the programs and services available to livestock producers to manage forage shortages.  To date, low levels of precipitation and soil moisture have affected the growth of pastures and forage crops in parts of Manitoba. Manitoba Agriculture provides a number of tools and resources for producers to manage the impact of lower forage supplies.  These include: alternative feeding strategies such as straw and feed grain rations, greenfeed and utilizing other crop products as feed sources; the Manitoba Hay Listing Service, which allows producers to list hay, pasture or alternative feed that is either available or wanted; forage and pasture management; and livestock production. Producers with AgriInsurance contracts who intend to put their crop to alternate use are required to contact the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation for a field appraisal prior to harvesting the crop.  Crop producers managing crop residue should consider making crop residue available to livestock producers as an alternative to burning this residue. Manitoba also provides risk management programs under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership that help producers to manage production and price risk.  These include: Forage insurance under the AgriInsurance program, which insures hay and pasture production and establishment against potential losses.  Producers can check their coverage and learn more at www.masc.mb.ca or by calling their local MASC office. AgriStability, which is a voluntary program for producers offering support following large income losses and is based on a producer’s margins.  More information is at www.agr.gc.ca/agristability. Western Livestock Price Insurance Program is designed to help farmers protect themselves against unexpected price declines and more information can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/livestock/price-insurance-program.html. Producers can contact Manitoba Agriculture toll-free at 1-84-GROW-MB-AG (1-844-769-6224) for more information on any of these programs and services or go to www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture under Quick Links.

At around 5:30 Saturday afternoon, Brandon Fire and Emergency Services and Brandon Police Service responded to the intersection of 18th St and Princess Ave for a crash involving 5 vehicles. The 5 vehicles, two cars, a van, and two small SUVs, were spread out throughout both the southbound and northbound lanes of 18th St, with one of the SUVs facing east in the northbound lane of 18th St with significant front end damage. Air bags deployed in at least one of the five vehicles, but thankfully nobody was transported to the hospital.  Photos by: Liam Pattison Photography

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release At 8:00, pm a vehicle stop was done in the 1700 block of Middleton Ave. A passenger in the vehicle, a 39-year-old Brandon woman, was found to have 4 grams of meth and over $1,000 cash on her. She was charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking and Possession of Proceeds of Crime. She was released for court at a later date.

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release At approx. 1:30 am, a traffic stop was done in the 1800 block of Park Ave after the 39-year-old Brandon man failed to stop for a check stop a short distance away. He was arrested and transported to BPS where he later provided two samples of his breath over the legal limit. He was released for a later court date. At 02:08, Police pulled over a vehicle in the 300 block of 1st St N. After being pulled over, the 23 year old Brandon man who was operating the vehicle, failed the roadside screening test. He later provided two samples of his breath over the legal limit. He was released for a later court date.

Livestock producers will temporarily be allowed to cut hay and allow animals to graze on Crown land not normally designated for agricultural use due to dry conditions across parts of the province, Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler announced today. “Pastures and forage crops in parts of Manitoba have been greatly affected by low levels of rain and dry soils this summer,” said Eichler. “By providing producers with additional options, such as access to Crown land, we are easing the burden on farmers who are seeing low yields on forage crops.” Under certain circumstances, Crown land can be made available for agricultural use. The Agricultural Crown Lands Leasing program will administer the use of available land and provide necessary permits. Livestock must be removed when the naturally existing forage is exhausted or by Oct. 31, 2018. Baled hay must be removed by Nov. 15, 2018. “With many beef producers facing poor pasture conditions and a shortage of feed, having the ability to graze and hay these Crown lands is both necessary and welcomed,” said Tom Teichroeb, interim president, Manitoba Beef Producers. “Cattle grazing inside these wildlife management areas can deliver important conservation benefits as well as be an important strategy during times of feed shortages.” Manitoba Agriculture provides a number of additional tools and resources for producers affected by dry conditions which can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/livestock/beef/index.html#resources. The resources include the Manitoba hay listing service, information on managing pastures during dry conditions, alternative feed for beef cattle and options to stretch feed when supplies are tight. Producers with AgriInsurance contracts who intend to put their crop to alternate use are required to contact the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) office to arrange for a field appraisal prior to harvesting the crop.  Crop producers should also consider making crop residue available to livestock producers. Manitoba also provides risk management programs under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which help producers to manage production and price risk.  These include: Forage insurance under the AgriInsurance program, which insures hay and pasture production and establishment against potential losses. Producers can check their 2018 coverage and learn more at www.masc.mb.ca or by calling their local MASC office. The Western Livestock Price Insurance Program, which provides a range of coverage and policy options to help manage price risk and protect against volatility in the marketplace. Producers can purchase price insurance year-round for their feeder and fed cattle. More information is available at www.wlpip.ca. Producers can contact their local Manitoba Agriculture office or call the department toll-free at 1-84-GROW-MB-AG (1-844-769-6224) for more information on any of these programs and services or go to www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture under Quick Links.