February 23, 2024

Ice fishing is so cool, it’s chilling Kids learn to fish day

The

Rivers and

Game and Fish hosted their annual Kids Learn to Fish Day on the holiday Monday, February 19. It is a great way to spend time with the family on this holiday. The event was set in the morning from 10am until noon on Lake Wahtopanah located just out from the wildlife dock.

The event was completely free. Rods and lures were provided

for those who did not have equipment. The event was open to all children 16 and under.

About 30 kids made it out to enjoy a day on the ice learning how to fish. About ten parents tried their hand at ice fishing too. The ten game and fish members who volunteered made sure the hot chocolate stayed hot, with the help of a generator, and cookies were ready for all the participants. They also drilled 30 holes before the future anglers arrived so there was no waiting to get started.

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gather to prepare for the kids fishing

The Rivers and Area Game and Fish member Jena Ratz starts handing out fishing rods as the kids arrive.

Kids learn to fish day

By Jessica Coulter Rivers Banner

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“A big thanks to RW Bait for supplying all the bait and sending the kids home with a goodie bag,” says Dave Falkevitch, Rivers and Area Game and Fish member.

A representative from Manitoba Wildlife Federation attended and supplied fish identification books and prizes for the kids.

By the end of the event, one fish, a Northern Pike, was caught and several other bites were reported. The kids were super excited about having learned how to reel them in.

They are only shaped like fish. They really are cookies.

Kids start arriving with the help of their parents.

Muesli muffins with almonds and cranberries Heart Health Awareness Month

Whole grains, cranberries and almonds jack up the nutrient power in these muffins compared to common, cake-like ones.

Ingredients

canola cooking spray

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/3 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/3 cup canola oil

1 large egg

Directions

1 cup white whole-wheat flour

1/4 cup ground flaxseed

3/4 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats

1 cup (non-fat Greek yogurt

1 (4 oz) jar pear purée baby food

1 1/2 tsp almond extract

1) Preheat oven to 350 °F (180 °C). Lightly spray 12-cup, non-stick muffin pan with cooking spray.

2) In large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, flaxseed, cinnamon and baking soda.

3) In small bowl, combine almonds, 1/4 cup (50 mL) oats and 1/4 cup (50 mL) cranberries and set aside. Stir remaining oats and cranberries into flour mixture until well blended.

4) In medium bowl, whisk together yogurt, canola oil, pear purée, egg and almond extract. Stir yogurt mixture into flour mixture until just blended. Do not overmix.

5) Spoon equal amounts of batter into muffin cups. Sprinkle evenly with reserved almond mixture. Bake 18 to 20 minutes. Cool in pan 5 minutes. Remove from pan; serve warm or let cool to room temperature.

PHOTOS

Scooping away the slush from the fishing hole.

Hole is drilled, bait is on the hook, line is dropped, and now we wait.

Gas tax holiday lowering inflation for Manitobans

Submitted

Manitoba Governemnt

Suspension of Fuel Tax Directly Lowers Manitoba’s Consumer Inflation Rate, Helps Lower Costs For Families: Kinew

New Statistics Canada data shows Manitoba has the lowest inflation rate in the country, mainly owing to the gas tax holiday, Premier Wab Kinew announced today.

“The numbers are in and they show that our government is taking real action to make Manitoba more affordable,” said Kinew. “Government can’t do everything, but we can do some things to help families deal with rising costs. We took action right away to give people relief at the pump and now we see that relief helping to lower costs across the province.”

Manitoba’s inflation rate in January was 0.8

per cent, which is down from 1.7 per cent in December 2023. Manitoba’s consumer inflation is the lowest among provinces in Canada and the only province with a consumer inflation less than the Bank of Canada’s target range, noted the premier.

According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from Statistics Canada, the gas tax holiday, which began on Jan. 1 and removed the 14-cent provincial tax on the price of gasoline, “directly contributed to a 0.4 per cent decrease to inflation.” Statistics Canada also noted Manitoba’s gasoline prices fell 20.2 per cent in January 2024 compared to January 2023.

The CPI rose to 2.9 per cent on a year-overyear basis in January. The largest contributor to deceleration was lower gasoline prices. Gas prices in Manitoba fell 14 per cent in January, which contributed to a national decline in inflation.

FAITHFULLY YOURS

Neil StrohScheiN

Your giftS; Your choice; Part iii

So far in this series, we have examined the true value of money you donate to a church or registered charity; how to decide on an annual giving budget and how to choose a worthy charity or two to whom you can send regular donations.

This week, I want to share some guidelines I follow when deciding how much to donate to my charities of choice. These are guidelines that work for me. You may have some of your own; and that is fine. Remember that these are your gifts; so the choice is yours.

Step One - Set an overall giving goal. Go back to Part I of this series to see some ideas that will help you do this. Please try, as best you can, to incorporate a mixture of realistic budgeting (giving what you are sure you can afford) and faith (giving funds that you are trusting God to supply). Do this as early in the year as you can.

From last weeks front page

Step Two - Choose one charity as the primary recipient of your donations; and designate at least half of your donations to that organization. In making your choice, I strongly suggest that you choose an organization from your local community-one that, in addition to taking your donations, allows you to observe their activities and, if you so desire, to participate as a volunteer. Donations of time and volunteer service are gifts all charities welcome.

Step Three - Allocate 40 per cent of your giving goal to charities from which, as in the case of your primary recipient, you will receive a receipt for tax credit. You are free to decide how many charities you support and how much each charity will receive.

Step Four - Leave some room (I suggest 10 per cent) for miscellaneous donations. These are donations you make during the year for which you will not receive a tax receipt. In my case, I donate the paper, envelopes and printing costs I incur while carrying out my duties as an officer in my church. The dollar amount is not that significant, but I record it as part of my overall giving goal. This gives me the freedom to respond to sudden community needs without taking funds from those who rely on my regular monthly contributions.

Step Five - Keep a running tally of your donations. You will be thrilled to see how, with each donation, you inch closer to achieving your overall goal. And if, at the end of the year, the amount on your receipt does not match the amount shown in your records, contact the charity’s financial officers immediately. They will investigate your complaint, amend their records and issue you a corrected receipt.

One final note. As tax payers in Canada, we can claim a tax credit for charitable donations we make each year. The dollar value of our credit is linked to the dollar value of donations made during the year and for which we have a receipt qualifying us to claim the credit.

While tax credits are nice to receive, they should never be a factor in determining our giving goal, choosing charities to support and deciding how much each charity should receive. Our gifts should be a sign of our gratitude to God for what he has given us; and our desire to share his love, acceptance and forgiveness with others. Financially supporting and volunteering with charities that offer physical, emotional, practical and spiritual help to others is one of the best ways by which this can be done.

Tundra

By Chad Carpenter

In 2024, it will be 35 years that my wife and I have been in the newspaper publishing business. The Rivers Banner has been going for 108 years. The Neepawa Press for 128 years. The Neepawa Banner for 35 years. I personally produced my first publication 58 years ago

Needless to say, much has changed in 128 years. We have in our possession, newspaper archives that go back to 1896 and the words written in that year are still clear to read and understand on the printed pages. That is the absolute rock solid foundation of the printed word. It can’t be changed, it can’t shifted around to hide the facts or the errors that may have been committed. A newspaper publisher has no place to hide.

I say rock solid, as printed words can’t be changed. Because they can’t be changed, most people who put words in print are careful how they select their words, knowing that errors will come back to haunt the writer.

What passes for journalism today has become a farce. CNN, Fox News and even CBC and CTV have become more entertainment than a forum for facts. Consumption of TV news is declining, radio newscasts are rarely more than three minutes on the hour and most people know they can’t, or shouldn’t, rely on Internet and Twitter “news”.

I am a proud newspaperman and especially proud that we have three local publications, namely the Neepawa Banner & Press, the Rivers Banner and the Farmers’ Advocate which currently publishes ten times per year.

In the last few years, Canada has lost 100s of newspapers and many TV and radio stations. It’s impossible to count the number of blogs, web sites

Perspectives Random Quotes…

MRight in the Centre

Ken Waddell

and Twitter accounts that have evaporated or been abandoned.

There are many reasons. Running any news outlet, be it print, radio, TV on-line is a lot of work. It has to be kept fresh, with new news every edition regardless of the method of production. You have to have reporters and production staff. You have to have ad sales to pay the bills. News costs money as the staff, the printer and the fuel bills all have to be paid. Quite frankly, the news outlets that have disappeared are gone because they went broke. Blunt, but true.

So in the towns that still have newspapers, events are turning somewhat. People are realizing that without ads, the news outlet will die. I am thankful that ads are re-gaining popularity in this paper. Certainly there are other ways than newspapers to spread the word about a business or an event, including reputation, word of mouth, posters and yes, social media. I use social media myself, but it isn’t the be all and end all by any means. Some people don’t use social media at all, some don’t use it much. And social media is set up on a system that severely limits what we see. It may be unintentional, but social media actually limits and censors news and information quite severely.

The newspaper is always sitting

there on your table, ready to be read in whole or in part and it is around for a week or more.

Running a local newspaper isn’t easy. It’s a constant work in progress. Note I say “local” newspaper, as many of the 100s of papers and all the TV and radio stations that have disappeared have been owned by big corporations. The “Bigs” don’t place local news or priorities at the top of their list. They, without any apology, place making money at the top of their list. Their CEOs glide from one corporate misadventure to another, taking their over-priced salaries with them as they go.

I am an unapologetic promoter of small local businesses. A business has to have strong local ownership or at least strong local management. Local papers and local businesses have to work diligently to survive and many have survived for well over 100 years. As long as local people want and need local news it will continue.

Thank you to our faithful readers and advertisers, your support is appreciated.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are the writer’s personal views and are not to be taken as being the view of the Banner & Press staff.

uch of the reading that I do these days is for study; some for the services I share and some for selfimprovement and spiritual growth. I can’t tell if the work is working, but I can tell you that my thinking is challenged and my outlook expanding.

Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) lived a powerful, visionary life. She entered a monastery at the age of fifteen and continued her life and work pursuing knowledge of God and creation, sin and redemption. “She wrote three visionary works, a natural history, and a medical compendium. She was a pastor, a poet, a composer and teacher, seeing herself as ‘a feather on the breath of God’.” That image of a feather on the breath of God caused me to set aside the book and simply breathe. What a goal, and then to be able to define your life work with those words.

Fred Craddock (1928-2015) Distinguished Professor of Preaching and New Testament Meritus, offers insight into lectionary readings. We are entering the Season of Lent, the time of introspection and reflection on the power of the Easter story, and Sundays’ reading from the Gospel of Mark was on Jesus’ baptism and time of temptation in the desert before beginning his ministry and the journey to the cross. It is in a garden where Jesus is apprehended and the mockery and abuse begins. The quote here that again caused me to set aside the book itself and settle into the words, “ Gethsemane was a garden, but for one night it, too, was a wilderness.” As an outsider and an observer, too often I view another’s place in life as a garden. There are many gardens that are, for a time, a wilderness. I know from experience.

Carl R. Holladay (1943-) American Scholar of New Testament, Christian origins and Hellenistic Judaism, in his study of 1 Corinthians- a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the new Christian church in Corinth- a letter promoting understanding and acceptance between Jews and Gentiles. To emulate Paul’s personal ethics “would inevitably mean that the strong would be willing to bear the burdens of the weak, that those ‘in the know’ would be more tolerant of those ‘not in the know’ and that those more practiced and experienced in religious matters would be more patient with those whose conversion to Christianity is their first real exposure to the regimen and religion of a religion with high ethical standards.” Yikes. In the last decade I have been introduced to too many people who are ‘in the know’, and I’m not always certain their source is accurate. Patience, patience…a slow mare and yet she jogs on.

A first glance it’s rather intense reading. It is thought provoking. There are lessons that I still want to, and need to, learn about life and living. It’s quite ok to wonder what I do for entertainment! Heavy reading aside, I walk my dog, have coffee with friends, send out thinking of you notes when I reflect on the impact an individual has had on my life- any stage of my life- and have become more comfortable in my own skin.

Manitoba government unveils updated portrait of Louis Riel recognizing him as first Premier of Manitoba

Submitted Manitoba Governement

The Manitoba government is continuing to honour the legacy of Louis Riel by revealing a new portrait designation recognizing him as the first premier of Manitoba, Premier Wab Kinew, minister responsible for intergovernmental affairs and Indigenous reconciliation, and Manitoba Métis Federation President David Chartrand announced today.

“Our government was proud to make the first legislation we introduced a bill to recognize Louis Riel as Manitoba’s first premier,” said Kinew. “We have also taken steps to ensure all Manitoba students learn about Riel and his provisional government including the List of Rights they drafted that would eventually become the basis of the Manitoba Act of 1870. Today we celebrate Riel’s legacy and the accomplishments of the Red River Métis people in Manitoba.”

The portrait has adorned the walls of the Manitoba Legislative Building for many years but the plaque designated Riel as president. After the Manitoba government passed legislation in 2023 declaring Riel the first premier of Manitoba, the plaque has been changed to reflect his status as Manitoba’s original head of government.

In addition to the unveiling, Kinew will join Chartrand and many proud Red River Métis citizens at Riel’s gravesite located at St. Boniface Cathedral, 190 de la Cathedrale Ave., for the ceremonial presentation of the Louis Riel Act. Members of the public are welcome to attend the event starting at 1 p.m. today.

“This is an historic and momentous day as we reflect

on the true history of Louis Riel and the Métis of the Red River,” said Chartrand. “Our history has been one of hardship, marginalization, racism and discrimination – a continued struggle for recognition of our identity as the Red River Métis people. We have been 153 years in waiting and advocating to correct this part of our history, and today we see the true title of Louis Riel further acknowledged. The stain on Canada remains for portraying him as traitor and a madman, instead of telling his true

Keystone Centre and Limitless Events’ Family Fun Day raises $4000 for Westman Dreams for Kids

By Shelby Mymko Marketing Manager

The Keystone Centre and Limitless Events teamed up to present a spectacular Family Fun Day on February 3, 2024, providing two exciting time slots (11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm) filled with laughter, joy, and limitless adventures.

The event, hosted at the Keystone Centre, not only brought families together for a day of entertainment but also raised $4000 in proceeds supporting Westman Dreams for Kids.

The day was packed with interactive inflatables, obstacle courses, bounce houses, giant games, arcade thrills, inflatable axe throwing, and an exhilarating mobile zipline, and much more. Families and friends gathered to make lasting memories while contribut-

ing to a great cause.

The event saw a fantastic turnout, with approximately 750 attendees during the first session and around 1100 attendees in the second session. The $2 entry fee per person contributed to the significant donation total.

“We are thrilled with the overwhelming support and enthusiasm from the community,” said Shelby Mymko, Marketing Man-

ager. “Family Fun Day not only brought joy to attendees but also allowed us to contribute significantly to Westman Dreams for Kids. We are grateful for the generosity of everyone who attended and supported the event.”

The Keystone Centre and Limitless Events look forward to future collaborations, bringing more exciting and impactful events to the community.

history as the first premier and the founder of Manitoba. We hope what we do here today will be a catalyst for real change, so that all know the truth and honour Premier Riel’s legacy, and the legacy of our people.”

Riel was declared a founder of Manitoba in 1992 and officially recognized as the first leader of Manitoba in 2016. The Manitoba Métis Federation continued to push for Riel to be granted the title of first premier and Kinew bestowed that designation on Riel in 2023.

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PHOTO BY CBC NEWS

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, left, and Manitoba Métis Federation President David Chartrand unveiled a new plaque for Louis Riel’s portrait at the legislature on Monday

A new chapter for Camp Wannakumbac/ Riding ConferenceMountainCentre

By Barb Kingdon General Manager

Two longstanding names synonymous with excellence in camping and service to this province have a new title and ownership structure.

In the wake of the 75th anniversary of Camp Wannakumbac in the summer of 2023, steps were taken to set up a new governance model to ensure a sustainable future. In early January, approval was granted to restructure both Camp Wannakumbac and the Riding Mountain Conference Centre as a co-operative. The new entity, that will build upon a proud legacy, is the Clear Lake Community Service Cooperative Inc.

“We are excited about this move forward, which has a back-to-the-future element given our first camps were run and named as co-ops,” said Neil Gamey, chair of the outgoing board of trustees under the Wasagaming Foundation.

“Over the past 75 years, Wannakumbac and the Riding Mountain Conference Centre have built a community of Manitobans who care deeply about our camping program and our record of service to this province. Operating as a co-operative will allow us to draw upon that community for members, for support and the leadership we will need in future years.”

Since 1965, the camping program and year-round conference centre on the shore of Clear Lake have operated under the not-for-profit Wasagaming Foundation. Under this new co-operative structure, everyone with ties to the camping program or who believes in its mission will be able to join as members. As well, there will be a new board elected by those members who will take over from the trustees on the Wasagaming Foundation.

“This transition to a co-operative is designed to not only preserve the traditions and the legacy we are all so proud of, but also provide the camping program and conference centre with the kind of support and leadership it will need as we move forward,” Gamey said.

“Our hope is that as many people as possible will want to join as members of the co-operative so they can have a say in the future we want to build for one of the best camping programs in the province.”

THE HAMIOTA DISTRICT HEALTH CENTRE FOUNDATION INC. BURSARY FUND

Applications are now being accepted for the Hamiota District Health Centre Foundation Inc.

$1000.00 bursary for Gr. 12 students planning to enroll in post-secondary education medical field. Application and eligibility requirements available at high school career counselors or by email to bennett2@goinet.ca or vwilson@inetwireless.ca

Deadline: Mar 31, 2024

Tea for two and two for tea

Letter to the Editor

Just a comment about Canada Post: My big beef is that they force the rural office to send all their mail to Winnipeg, even the local mail. It used to be that you could hand a sympathy card for a neighbour to the local staff, and they would take 10-15 steps and put it in the mailbox. The recipient got it the same day. Now it is at least two days to receive a local card or grant application (we are told to allow a week for that).

When I questioned Canada Post, and Dan Mazier’s office about it - I was told that it was “sorted” in Winnipeg. It has to get “sorted” when it gets back to the rural office, before it goes in the box. Makes no sense to me.

So, I hand deliver any local mail now.

I agree that local staff are great, and not to blame. If there were a slot for local mail, it would expedite things!

Gloria Mott

Editor’s note: The above letter to the editor is in response to my column in the Feb. 16.24 edition of this paper. Some Post Offices, it seems, may do local mail sorting while some send everything to Winnipeg or Brandon for sorting, even if it’s local mail. Ken Waddell, Editor

On February 14, Mid-West Arts Council of Hamiota hosted a Valentine’s Day Tea from 2 – 4 pm. A dessert was served, warm gingerbread and sauce. The cost was $6 per person. There was a great turn out for the afternoon.

Editor

Afternoon Ken, as always, I enjoy your column in the Banner, and if I may, I would like to relate my thoughts about Churches etc.

Many decades ago when I was close to my teens [March 13, I turn 75] my meagre hockey/ baseball career games were played after 1:00 P.M. and against teams such as Oak River, Crandall and the odd time McConnell and Lavinia. We never were far away from Hamiota. Then a little later, the sports groups speculated going further away and having games around 11:00 in the morning. That was the era of Ralph Clark, Minister of the Hamiota United Church, remember him, Ken?

Ralph had sermons saying that games should be after 1:00 P.M. so people could still go to church and their children go to Sunday School. Jack Mathison, sports writer for the Brandon Sun, challenged Ralph in his columns on this issue. Any one who knew Ralph said this challenge would have a return message from Ralph. He didn’t disappoint us, and in return, challenged Jack that he and Ralph change roles for a week. Jack would take a Sunday Service at Hamiota United Church and Ralph would write in Jack’s column. A lot of good came out of this for both sides in my mind.

The problem in today’s world, parents and their children have to travel all over the province, other provinces and into the States. So, unfortunately it is tough to go along the lines that worked years ago. Hopefully this answers a few questions you mentioned in your column. Thanks Ken, and keep up your good work.

Sid Lewis, Hamiota.

Farmers’ Advocate

Farmers cautiously optimistic about 2024

Viterra hosts marketing meeting at Neepawa

By Ken Waddell Farmers’ Advocate

Feb. 13 was Canada’s Agriculture day. As Viterra’s grain marketing Ray Baloun stated in opening the company’s farmer appreciation breakfast on Feb. 13, “This is Canada’s Agriculture day but most people don’t even know, right?” Baloun, who has achieved an almost famous status among Western Manitoba grain producers said he wanted to have grain growers come out to a breakfast on Feb. 13 to celebrate agriculture and to learn more about marketing grain. A room at Neepawa’s Chicken Chef restaurant packed with farmers and a couple of media types learned a lot about the mindset around farming and world markets.

As part of the intro, Baloun said that Viterra supports STARS air ambulance and Food Grains by allowing grain growing on Viterra land around five of their elevators.

Keith Brownell, Viterra marketing rep opened his presentation by stating, “We need as much advocacy as possible. We need to pull back the veil about farming especially in centres like Winnipeg.”

Brownell has many years of Ag and marketing experience that started with a couple of university degrees. He obviously loves farming but he still posed the question, “Why do you farm?

If you sold, what would you do? Most farmers keep on because they love to farm. Farmers are the most optimistic people in the world. They put seed in the ground, add in fertilizer and then battle the weather.”

He suggested that if you treat your farm as a business it can be a great way of life. If you treat your farm as a way of life it can be a poor business.Warren Buffet would say, “Can I make a profit.” Buffet says “always make a profit”.

Brownell says you have

lots of bins, aeration and equipment but marketing needs to be planned ahead.

“I don’t want to see farmers selling when they have to like when a bill is due.”

Grain companies are buying in smaller increments and many geopolitical forces are big issues. Wars and political tensions will affect markets.

“Know your cost of production and goals are more important than emotions. Loss is felt deeper than gains. Gut decisions come when the stress is on. Make rational decisions.”

He noted that both Canadian and American farmers have been holding back on sales of grain on hand. There is more grain being grown than sold and that is holding prices back.

Strange as it may seem, the world isn’t short of grain right now. Only 49 per cent of the canola is sold to date.

The mood of the farmers seemed to still be optimistic, but cautious.

Brownell emphasized the need for planning and preparation when it comes to grain marketing. He said, “Know your cost of production” when deciding when to sell and when to hold on to inventory

PHOTOS BY JOHN DRINKWATER

Keith Brownell, Viterra’s marketing specialist, was the feature speaker at a Viterra sponsored grain marketing breakfast on Feb. 13 at the Chicken Chef restaurant in Neepawa. The meeting was hosted by Ray Baloun who is locally known as Ray, the Grain Guy.

Farmers’ Advocate

Three challenges facing the global agricultural sector

Submitted

M etro Creative C onnection

Since the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic in early 2020, businesses big and small have faced significant challenges. Though the pandemic has ended, many sectors, including the agricultural industry, are facing familiar and unfamiliar challenges.

The agricultural sector is crucial to the survival and health of billions of people across the globe. Though it’s obvious that modern agriculture is vital to feeding a global population that was greater than eight billion people at the dawn of 2024, the United Nations notes that agriculture also boosts prosperity and economies by providing jobs. That reality only underscores the notion that the challenges facing the agri -

cultural sector are facing everyone, even those whose livelihoods are not directly linked to the industry. According to Earth. org, an organization that offers environmental news, data analysis, research, and policy solutions, the following are three sizable challenges facing modern agriculture.

1. Climate change: Perhaps no challenge is greater for humanity in the twentyfirst century than climate change, and the agricultural sector is no exception. Climate change has caused shifting weather patterns marked by unpredictability and potentially disastrous developments like prolonged drought. Estimates

from NASA indicate corn yields may decrease by 24 per cent by the end of this century, a potentially dangerous development linked to a host of factors, including a shifting climate and elevated surface carbon dioxide concentrations that can be traced to humancaused greenhouse gas emissions.

US cattle inventories

By Shawn Cabak

Submitted

The USDA released their Jan. 1 inventory report and US cattle inventories totaled 87.1 million head on Jan. 1, 2024, down 1.9 per cent from last year. This is 1.5 per cent below the previous cycle low made in 2014 with inventories eight percent or 7.65 million head below the 2019 peak.

Beef cow inventories were down 716,300 head or 2.5 per cent at 28 million head. This is 11 per cent below the 2019 peak and 2.9 percent below the 2014 cycle low. Beef cows in the Pacific Northwest were up a combined 1.5

per cent. This is dwarfed by the declines in the Colorado-Nebraska region where beef cows are down 3.1 per cent or 72,000 head. Dry conditions in the US have impacted the central and southern plains to a greater degree.

For every beef cow in the US, there is one-third of a dairy cow. As beef on dairy has grown, these are not ‘new’ calves but a more efficient calf (beef-cross steer) with improved feed efficiency and fewer days to slaughter. The dairy cow herd was down 0.4 per cent with replacement dairy heifers mirroring that trend.

Beef replacement heifers were down 1.4 percent,

which when combined with significant revisions to the year ago number is now 12.5 per cent below the 2014 low and the lowest since 1950. The 2023 calf crop was down 2.7 per cent or 846,500 head at 33.6 million head.

What’s the scoop?

2. Population growth:

The booming global population is attributable to numerous factors, including longer life expectancies in developed nations due to medical advancements. How to keep the global population fed at a time when the climate is adversely affecting crop yields is a significant challenge fa-

cing both humanity and the agricultural sector. As the population grows, so, too, does the demand for water, which also must be used to grow crops. Navigating this challenge will be significant, and how it’s managed could affect the economic stability of the agricultural industry in the decades to come.

3. Investment: Perhaps no industry is more vital to human survival than agriculture. Earth.org notes that countries with strong agricultural sectors often boast higher standards of living and health than nations with a less productive agricultural industry. Despite that, Earth.org notes that investment in

the agricultural sector is not commensurate with the growing population. Supporting measures to invest more heavily in the agricultural sector could reduce food shortages in the decades to come and ensure the agricultural sector is better positioned to address the many challenges it is already confronting in the twenty-first century.

The challenges facing the agricultural sector affect those who work in the industry but also the global population as a whole. Recognition of that reality may compel more people to support measures designed to ensure the agricultural sector can thrive and help the world to overcome potentially devastating challenges in the decades ahead.

If you’ve got a news tip, story or event, let us know!

Give us a call, email or visit the office! 204-476-3401 news@neepawabanner.com

IMAGE COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Farmers’ Advocate Yield Manitoba 2024 released: New crop records set!

Belles, Beaux and Builders A great start to 2024 for Neepawa 4-H club

By Chloe Pankratz Neepawa Belles, Beaux and Builders

The Neepawa Belles, Beaux and Builders 4-H club had a great start to the 23/24 4-H year! The group reconvened in October with exciting project topics of Building Teams and Science in the Kitchen, monthly meetings and activities.

The group is proud to have been part of the Remembrance Day service, and supporting the community through sorting food at the Salvation Army, and volunteering at the Neepawa Roxy theater.

Our group is now busy preparing for communication night, to be held on Feb. 26, 2024.

By Shawn Cabak

Submitted

Yield Manitoba is an annual publication of Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) and provides a breakdown of annual crop yields on a provincial, risk area and variety basis insured by MASC (over 90 per cent of acres). Even with the dry conditions in 2023 several crops had record breaking years.

Canola was grown on 3.01 million acres and averaged 48 bushels per acre, beating its previous record of 47 set in 2017. Red spring wheat didn’t set a new record but yielded a respectable 63 bushels per acre on 3.06 million acres. Soybean acres were third highest in Manitoba at 1.55 million and averaged 37.6 bushels per acre.

Other record yields were set by peas at 54 bushels per

Weather conditions and reports

By Shawn Cabak

Submitted

Manitoba’s ag weather program measures and records data year round from over 100 weather stations across agro-Manitoba. The stations monitor air temperature, relative humidity, barometric pres sure, precipitation, wind speed and direction, solar radiation, soil temperature, and soil moisture. The latest weather conditions from each station are made available every 15 minutes throughout the growing season and every hour dur ing the winter months.

All regions of agroManitoba have experi enced higher-than-normal average temperatures since November first. The major ity of Manitoba’s agricul tural region saw a mean

temperature difference of over 5℃ above normal.

Normal (based on the 30-year historical average) precipitations range from 48.0mm to 87.4 mm across agro-Manitoba. Per cent of normal precipitation varied greatly across the province with areas

acre on 159,000 acres, and both oil and confectionary sunflowers at 2,401 and 2,131 lbs per acre respectively on 79,000 acres combined. Grain corn produced 135.8 bushels per acre on 468 000 acres, barley averaged 83.8 bushels per acer on 354,000 acres and oats was just shy of the century mark at 99.9 bushels per acre over 302,000 acres.

For a copy of Yield Manitoba 2024 stop by your nearest MASC office or contact shawn. cabak@gov.mb.ca or phone 204-239-3353.

The front cover of Yield Manitoba magazine for 2024 SUBMITTED IMAGE

ing 88 mm) of normal. Most of southern Manitoba is below 50 per cent normal precipitation with Glad stone at 50, Holland at 21, Treherne at 20 and Portage at 48 per cent normal. For more weather related information or to monitor individual weather stations

SPORTS

Get started on your beach body now New gym in Rivers

By Jessica Coulter Rivers Banner

Rivers now has a new gym just around the corner at their Riverdale Community Centre. The original plans from 2011 for the Riverdale Community Centre included a plan for a gym. Until recently the

space for the gym was being used for the Rivers dance club. With the dance club ending, the space was left open. It has been vacant for just under a year, used for different one or two day events or projects. Now it is finally set-up for its original purpose.

Christine Walker, recreation director for the Riverdale Community Centre took on the gruelling task of putting together the gym. For the past 8 months, she has been re-setting up the room for equipment, hunting down equipment, getting mats and mirrors, organizing the key fob installation. She also has moved all the equipment around the room multiple times to get everything in the exact right place.

Forrest Kings win the Candy Cup

The official first date the public has had access to the gym was February 15, 2024. Memberships are available with Christine Walker. Official gym members have access to the space from 5am to 11pm everyday using their key FOB that is provided with their membership that can be used to enter the centre through the North door of the building. There are price options available for different age groups and for different lengths of time. For more details, send an email to Christine at recreation@riverdalemb.ca.

By Jessica Coulter Rivers Banner

On Saturday, February 17, four 7U hockey teams competed in the Candy Cup in Forrest. Lenore Little Stars won the B side of the tournament. It was a tight game at 2-2 until Lenore took the lead winning 8-3 over Rapid City Dragons.

Forrest Kings won A side and the Candy Cup. They were down 7-4 early in the third period and came back to win 9-8 over the Ninga Silverwolves.

The gym contains a deadlift area and Power Cage, flat and incline benches, dumbbells up to 65lbs, a cable machine, treadmills, an upright bike, a heavy bag and a concept 2 rower.

PHOTOS BY JESSICA COULTER

Cable Machine.

The Lenore Stars: #2 Pacey Brown, #3 Blake Kinnaird, #5 Jackson Stoop, #7 Blake King, #8 Aida McLean, #9 Mabel McLean, #10 Lucas Barkley, #13 Taven Hall, #15 Zac Frattinger, #24 Tommy Campbell, #25 Blaire King, #27 Evalee McLean, #29 Camden Brown, #31 Liam Barkley, #33 Skylar Brown, #34 Jude Hunter, Coaches Tyler Campbell, Charlie King and Tyler Frattinger.

The Forrest Kings: #4 Connor Kohinski, #6 Shelby Kowbel, #8 Nixon Stewart, #9 Bentley Penner, #10 Cody Burdeniuk, #11 Benson Falk-Hamilton, #13 Emma Berg, #14 Bodie McFarlin, #15 Paxton Fulham, #16 Colton Bouchard, #18 Chloe Paradis, #19 Ellie Agnew, #22 Olsen Yanick, @23 Ben Binions, #26 Leo Druwe, #27 Cooper Rabe, #29 Maddie Gamache, #31 Joel Lenton, Coaches Ryan Penner, Mike Kohinski, Joel Yanick, and Mark Agnew.

Deadlift area and Power Cage.

Flat and Incline benches. Dumbbells up to 65lbs.

Importance of growing food

Submitted By Patricia Hanbidge

For those of us who like to garden, we get pleasure from gardening as well as the bonus of great home-grown food. Growing your own food in any capacity is getting more important with each day that passes. The United Nations Food Systems Summit in 2021 entered into the Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This was due to the fact that most of the world’s food systems were fragile and not fulfilling the right to adequate food for all. Three billion people (almost half of humanity) are not able to afford a healthy diet. The pandemic, conflict, disruptions to global trade, climate change and inflation are threatening the supply of food for people world-wide. All of these challenges are further exacerbated by poverty and extremely high levels of inequality.

Regardless if you are rich or poor, young or old – every person in the world needs to eat safe and nutritious food. As consumers, we make choices on what to eat based on what is available, accessible and affordable. There is an urgent need to transition to inclusive, sustainable, nutritious and resilient food systems that are essential to build resistance against future shocks, protecting nature and biodiversity to empower communities to build inclusive and resilient economies.

Remembering what plants need to grow will help us to determine how difficult it might be to grow food in the winter indoors or with modifications to severe climate. Plants need light, water, warmth,

oxygen and food to grow. As we are in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun is a long way away from us in the winter season, so supplemental light would be necessary in order to get good growth once your seeds begin to grow. Thus, if we choose to grow anything other than sprouts, we would need to invest in a grow light.

Different lettuces to grow at home.

Light is one of the most important factors to consider when growing plants indoors. When choosing plants to grow this time of year to supplement your diet, think about the light that they need to thrive and ensure it is appropriately situated under your grow light. Follow the directions on the seed packet and remember that generally a seed is planted to the depth of the diameter of the seed. It is important to keep the media moist to ensure even germination so covering the pot with a plastic wrap until most of the seeds germinate is a good idea.

Once the seeds have mostly germinated, they will need to be put directly under the grow light to ensure the seedlings develop into strong, healthy plants. If you notice that your seedlings are tall and spindly, it is likely because they are not getting enough light. As the seedlings grow, gradually raise the light to coincide with their rate of growth.

Be innovative in what you wish to grow. Some

good ideas include a variety of types of lettuce. They germinate quite quickly and can be harvested before too long, ensuring that you and those who are close to you can enjoy fresh lettuce rather quickly. Other ideas will depend on your palette but arugula, corn salad, greens like amaranth, atriplex, beet, chard, choho, claytonia, cress, mibuna, mustard and kale are all fun to grow and great to eat!

Enjoy the time you have been granted to be less busy with some of the regular life things you might usually be doing. Grow some food, enrich the life of children who now need to learn these essential life skills. Share with them basic and simple skills to grow food and build our world into a better, more sustainable place.

Hanbidge is the Lead Horticulturist with Orchid Horticulture. Find us at www.orchidhort.com; by email at info@orchidhort.com;

For Sale

An area full of recreational opportunities, parks, lakes, cultural events, a sense of community and much more!

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

RIVERS & HAMIOTA Health Facilities

Home Care Attendants & Health Care Aides

Casual & Part-time positions

Environmental Services (Housekeeping & Laundry)

Casual & Part-time positions

Cook I & Dietary Aides

Casual positions

Community Mental Health Worker (Rivers)

Part-time positions

Registered Dietitians (Hamiota)

Full-time positions

Rehabilitation Aide (Rivers)

Full-time positions

JOIN THE HEALTH CARE TEAM!

APPLY TODAY!

www.prairiemountainhealth.ca, click on Careers

An excellent health care benefit package that includes but limited to health & dental benefits, pension plan & a health spending account.

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in Prairie Mountain Health however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

These positions are subject to a Criminal Record Check (including Vulnerable Sector), Adult Abuse Registry Check, and a Child Abuse Registry Check. The successful applicant will be responsible for any services charges incurred.

Chief Administrative Officer

The Council of the Rural Municipality of Oakview, with the support of Way To Go Consulting Inc., is seeking an individual that will bring strong leadership skills to this position. Information on the position is available at https://rmofoakview.ca

Individuals interested in this position should send a resume and cover letter by email to Ernie Epp, Way To Go Consulting Inc., at ernie.epp@waytogoconsultinginc.ca indicating “Oakview” in the subject line.

The selection committee intends to review applications as early as March 14th, 2024, however, applications may continue to be accepted until the right candidate is found.

We thank all who apply and advise that only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Riding Mountain Progressive Conservative Association Annual General Meeting for year-ending 2023, via Zoom & Teleconference Options.

Monday, March 11, 7:00 pm

All constituency PC members in good standing wishing to participate are asked to pre-register by noon, Thursday, March 7 by contacting Judy Snitynsky, 204-773-6347 Meeting participation information will be provided upon registration.

Invitation to Attend

Virtual Public Presentation

Rolling River School Division

2024-2025 Proposed Budget 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Access the presentation via link on the Rolling River School Division (RRSD) website homepage https://www.rrsd.mb.ca/

A summary of the proposed budget will be available on the RRSD website by March 1, 2024 links as follows: Governance - Budget/Finance - Upcoming Budget

What

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URGENT PRESS RELEASES

- Have a newsworthy item to announce? An exciting change in operations? Though we cannot guarantee publication, MCNAwill get the information into the right hands for ONLY $35.00 + GST/ HST. Call MCNA(204) 947-1691 for more information. See www. mcna.com under the “Types of

Advertising” tab for more details.

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REGISTERING Spring Programs? Having an AGM? Have your blanket classified ads seen in the 31 Member Newspapers which are seen in over 368,000+ homes in Manitoba. Now booking Winter and Spring advertising for 2024. Please Call THIS NEWSPAPER NOW to book, or call MCNA at (204) 947-1691 for more details or to book ads. MCNA - Manitoba Community Newspapers Association www.mcna.com

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Wanted old advertising: Dealership signs, service station, gas pumps, globes, oil cans, Red Indian, White Rose, Buffalo, Husky, Ford, GM, Dodge, Tire signs, Coke, Pepsi etc. Call 306- 221-5908

SPORTS

Rivers defeats Brandon in championship game

By Jessica Coulter Rivers Banner

They won the Championship at the ball tournament held at the Rivers Fair in 1953.

Keith Robins, played on the team one summer. He tells a story of how the Rivers team won the ball tournament. His story states that one of the Rivers players overheard the Brandon team discussing how they’d have no problem beating the country hicks from Rivers. He brought that story back to the Rivers team and got them all fired up to beat Brandon. Well, it worked, as they played their best game ever and shook hands early as they were so far ahead in runs.

Sadly, almost the entire team has passed away. Keith Robins is the last man standing to tell the story. He will be 91 this year on July 17.

Huskies are sticking to their love for hockey

By Jessica Coulter Rivers Banner

OJets rallied back

Submitted

Rivers Banner

n Friday, February 16, the Huskies played B/S/R Falcons in Birtle at 8pm. Huskies prevailed again and defeated the Falcons with a score of 7-3. Huskies took the lead early in the first with three goals. The Falcons scored their first in the second period and Huskies scored again in the second. In the third period the Falcons put in two more goals. The Huskies found the back of the net three more times.

On Saturday, February 17, the B/S/R Falcons came to Hamiota to try again. Huskies win again with a score of 4-2. The Falcons came to fight again. Each team put a goal in the first. The Huskies made the only goal in the second. Falcons tied the score again in the third. The Huskies fought back and put two more in to finish the game.

The Huskies are now third in the division.

The Huskies have back-to-back games, Wednesday, February 21 at 7:30pm against the Neepawa Tigers at the Yellowhead Center and then Thursday, February 22 at 8:15pm against the REMH Renegades at the Hamiota Arena.

The Jets hit the road for game two of the first round on Saturday. February 17, to close out Melita. Puck dropped at 8 pm. The Jets rallied back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Melita Bisons 4-3 and close out the series in two games.

Riley Boles scored the winner with 10 minutes left in the third period. Joben Smith scored a pair of goals, while Kayden Sutherland also found the back of the net. Brock Paddock added a pair of assists in the win.

Heading into round 2 of the THHL West Division Finals, Rivers Jets will be competing against Virden Oil Kings. It will be a best of five. Game one Thursday, February 22 in Virden, puck drops at 8:30pm. Game two Saturday, February 24 in Virden, puck drops at 7:30pm. Game three Tuesday, February 27 in Rivers, puck drops at 8:30pm. Game four Thursday, February 29 in Rivers, puck drops at 8:30pm. Game five will be determined if necessary.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY BETTY JEAN DESROCHERS

Back left to right: John Krahn, Dan Bates, Les Belinski, Charlie Nevil, Harry Bates, Don McFadden. Front left to right: Gordon Treloar, Jackie Treloar, Keith Robins, Bill MacDonald, Dave Leslie.

Rivers 2-Person Bonspiel

By Jessica Coulter Rivers Banner

Rivers Curling Club hosted their 2-Person Bonspiel on Saturday, February 17. They had 14 rinks participating in the day. Entry for the event was $40. The 2-person bonspiel is different from other bonspiels. There is no Champion as it is a fun bonspiel instead of a competition. Each rink plays twice. If you win a game, you get $20. If you win both games you win your entry fee back, so basically you get to curl for the day for free.

Charley Beever directs her teammate for the placement of next rock. Opponent George McKay is keeping watch.

Kenton 4-H rock at curling 4-H Family Day Bonspiel

By Jessica Coulter Rivers Banner

Kenton 4-H hosted their annual Family Day Bonspiel at the Kenton curling rink on Monday, February 19. There were 10 rinks of 4-H kids from all around the area participating in the event. Parents and Alumni members from Kenton 4-H club volunteered their time to make the day happen.

“A big thanks to Brent Houston for making the curling ice so awesome,” says Candace Tolton, Kenton 4-H leader.

All the kids walked away with some really great prizes that were donated by local businesses for the days event.

“Kenton rink is the perfect place to host this event because while members are waiting for their next curling game, they can go skating at the indoor ice rink connected to the curling rink or go upstairs to play board games and enjoy all the yummy food,” exclaimed Candace.

The perfect recipe for your new job is awaiting in our classifieds section.

PHOTO BY ALAN MACDONALD

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY CANDACE TOLTON

Ten rinks of 4-H kids at the Family Day Bonspiel on Monday February 19.

You’ve got to rock ‘n’ roll with the stones to win in curling.

Healthy eating basics Heart Health Awareness Month

Submitted Heart and Stroke Foundation

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health. In fact, up to 80% of premature heart disease and stroke can be prevented through your life choices and habits, such as eating a healthy diet and being physically active.

A healthy diet can help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke by:

• improving your cholesterol levels

• reducing your blood pressure

• helping you manage your body weight

• controlling your blood sugar.

What does a healthy, balanced diet look like?

Canada’s Food Guide recommends eating a variety of healthy foods each day. This includes eating plant-based foods more often and choosing highly processed or ultraprocessed foods less often.

A healthy diet includes:

1. Eating lots of vegetables and fruit - This is one of the most important diet habits. Vegetables and fruit are packed with nutrients (antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fibre) and help you maintain a healthy weight by keeping you full longer. Fill half your plate with vegetables and fruit at every meal and snack.

2. Choosing whole grain foods - Whole grain foods include whole grain bread and crackers, brown or wild rice, quinoa, oatmeal, and hulled barley. They are prepared using the entire grain. Whole grain foods have fibre,

protein, and B vitamins to help you stay healthy and full longer. Choose whole grain options instead of processed or refined grains like white bread and pasta. Fill a quarter of your plate with whole grain foods.

3. Eating protein foods - Protein foods include legumes, nuts, seeds, tofu, fortified soy beverage, fish, shellfish, eggs, poultry, lean red meats including wild game, lower fat milk, lower fat yogurts, lower fat kefir and cheeses lower in fat and sodium. Protein helps build and maintain bones, muscles and skin. Eat protein every day. Try to eat at least two servings of fish each week and choose plant-based foods more often. Dairy products are a great source of protein. Choose lower fat, unflavoured options. Fill a quarter of your plate with protein foods.

4. Limiting highly and ultra-processed foods - Highly processed foods — often called ultra-processed — are foods that are changed from their original food source and have many added ingredients. During processing, often important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and fiber are removed while salt and sugar are added. Examples of processed food include fast foods, hot dogs, chips, cookies, frozen pizzas, deli meats, white rice, and white bread. Some minimally processed foods are okay. These are foods that are slightly changed in some way but contain few industrially made additives. Minimally processed foods keep almost all their essential nutrients. Some examples are bagged salad, frozen vegetables and fruit, eggs, milk, cheese, flour, brown rice, oil, and dried herbs. We are not referring to these minimally processed foods when we are advising you not to eat processed

foods. Heart & Stroke funded research found that ultraprocessed foods make up almost half of Canadians’ diets. Read more about it here.

5. Making water your drink of choice - Water supports health and promotes hydration without adding calories to the diet. Sugary drinks including energy drinks, fruit drinks, 100% fruit juice, soft drinks and flavored coffees have lots of sugar and little to no nutritional value. It is easy to drink empty calories without realizing, and this leads to weight gain. Avoid fruit juice, even when it is 100% fruit juice. Although fruit juice has some of the benefits of the fruit (vitamins, minerals), it has more sugar than the fruit and less fiber. Fruit juice should not be consumed as alternative to fruits. Canadians should eat their fruits, not drink them. When safe drinking water is not available, quench your thirst with coffee, tea, unsweetened lower-fat milk, and previously boiled water.

Top 5 tips from the experts

• Prepare most of your meals at home using whole or minimally processed foods. Choose from a variety of different proteins to keep things interesting. Using catchy names for each day can help you plan. Try “Meatless Monday” with this meatless recipe.

• Make an eating plan each week – this is the key to fast, easy meal preparation. Check out our shopping tips here.

• Choose recipes with plenty of vegetables and fruit. Your goal is to fill half your plate with vegetables and fruit at every meal. Choose brightly coloured fruits and vegetables each day, especially orange and dark green vegetables (click here for more information). Frozen or canned unsweetened fruits and vegetables are a perfect alternative to fresh produce. Try this recipe.

• Avoid sugary drinks and instead drink water. Lower-fat, unsweetened milk is also a good way to stay hydrated. Keep a reusable water bottle in your purse or car so you can fill up wherever you are going.

• Eat smaller meals more often. Eat at least three meals a day with snacks in between. When you wait too long to eat you are more likely to make unhealthy food choices. Keep easy-to-eat snacks (like this) in your purse or bag for emergencies.