Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - July 12, 2004, Winnipeg, Manitoba B4 City / District Winnipeg free press monday july 12, 2004 cold wet weather nips huge Hopper infestation parts of Manitoba Saskatchewan still face outbreak by Judy Monchuk t Here san upside to the Lousy weather that a delayed summer on the Prairies. Its killing off Grasshoppers in droves. Across Manitoba Saskatchewan and Alberta trillions of Grasshopper eggs were set to Hatch after years of drought conditions had spawned a scenario bet Ter suited to a Sci i movie. We were coming into basically the perfect storm for a Grasshopper out break said Dan Johnson professor of environmental science at the University of Lethbridge regarded by Many As the Dean of Grasshopper knowledge. Wed had several years of drought a buildup of eggs and everything in their favour he said noting a single female Grasshopper can Lay upwards of 100 eggs. There were really trillions of eggs and they were ready to come despite Early hatching in May the recent bouts of cold and rain combined to Knock Down emerging hoppers before they were Able to grow big enough to do any damage. Agricultural forecasters who based their predictions on the swarms of Grasshoppers that blanketed parched areas of the three provinces last August report dramatically fewer of the pests than expected. There a never been any drop like this in the last 20 years ? its really hit exactly at the right moment said Johnson who has swept ditches and Fields from Edmonton to Lethbridge to Winnipeg in recent weeks and found Only Small immature pests that Are no threat to crops. After two years of devastating dam age Debbie Oyarzun of Alberta Agri culture viewed the recent unseasonable weather with Relief. If wed had hot dry weather we would have been in big big trouble As far As Grasshoppers go said Oyarzun who manages the provinces 70 agriculture service boards. For the last two years Grasshoppers have ravaged crops across the Prairies. Last fall Alberta officials estimated the infestation would devour $80 million to $100 million Worth of crops and pasture in the province. Alberta and Ottawa even set up a $10?million Aid package to help Farmers cover the Cost of spraying for the pests. It was another hit for Farmers Strug gling under the Burden of the mad cow crisis. Although the Border into the United states remains closed to live cattle ranchers now can at least let their Ani Mals Graze. Last year if they were trying to keep cattle they were having to buy Hay whereas this year at least they be got Green pastures to feed them because the hoppers Haven to come in and wreaked havoc said Oyarzun. And they re not having to take As much Money out of their pocket to Spray for control a warm dry spell in the next week or two could allow Grasshoppers to Hatch but the insects will be so far behind in the maturation Cycle that crops could be harvested before the pests Are Large enough to cause much damage said Oyarzun. We re almost getting confident enough to say we Are out of the Woods she said. Its getting very very but that does to mean its All Good news. There Are still pockets across the Prairies such As Southwest Manitoba and Central Saskatchewan where infestations could be categorized As severe. In some areas we can find significant amounts of Grasshoppers but they re Small ? they re Way behind where they should be said John Pavloski entomologist with Manitoba agriculture and food. Crops in Saskatchewan Are at least two weeks behind but that May make them better Able to withstand any assault from the Grasshoppers that make it to Matu Rity. ? Canadian press Mike Aporius / Winnipeg free press words of Praise Johnathan Dockman a 19-year-old albertan running across Canada to raise awareness about cancer won Praise from mayor Sam Katz at City Hall Friday. Dockman a Cross country run was inspired by a family members Battle with cancer. He began in Newfoundland last August and has been running about 30 or 40 Kilometres per Day. He has raised More than $35,000 to Date. 20 hour Mega Blit z held Over monday & tuesday until 9 30 . A Brand new 04 Cavaliers As Low As $79 biweekly Brand new 04 ventures As $149 Low As biweekly Brand new 04 trackers As $129 Low As biweekly Brand new 04 impalas As $159 Low As biweekly Ike is a 1 year old male lab. He is very gentle and needs a Good you Are interested in Ike or any other unwanted dog Puppy cat or Kitten please Contact the Winnipeg pet Rescue shelter Manitoba a first registered Charity no kill animal shelter at 832-pets 7387 or visit 3062 Portage Avenue. tickets Are no available forthe a Kos paddling for paws fundraising cruise on july 21. Come and join the fun and help save a pets life. pm. Of $79 applies to 2004 Cavalier. Payment does not include get or Post. Sale Price $11,163 plus get $809.01, plus Post $809.01 plus Doc fee $379 equals total Purchase Price of $13,175.33. Financed Over 84 months @ 7.35% equals finance charges of $3366.66.total Purchase Price with interest $16,591.99. Ring in & win of $1000 applied. Pm. Of $149 applies to 2004 venture. Payment does not include get or Post. Sale Price $20,997 plus get $1505.41, plus Post $1505.41 plus Doc fee $379 equals total Purchase Price of $24,516. Financed Over 84 months @ 7.35% equals finance charges of $6253.32.total Purchase Price with interest $30,818.95. Ring in & win of $1000 applied. Pm. Of $159 applies to 2004 Impala. Payment does not include get or Post. Sale Price $22,118 plus get $1583.82, plus Post $1583.82 plus Doc fee $379 equals total Purchase Price of $25,793. Financed Over 84 months @ 7.35% equals finance charges of $6577.66.total Purchase Price with interest $32,431. Ring in & win of $1000 applied. Pm. Of $129 applies to 2004 tracker. Payment does not include get or Post. Sale Price $18,155 plus get $1306.44, plus Post $1306.44 plus Doc fee $379 equals total Pur Hase Price of $21,279. Financed Over 84 months @ 7.35% equals finance Char f $5428.56. T Tal Pur Hase Price with interest $26,754. Ring in & win of $1000 applied ;