VIRDEN — A pair of Manitoba Agricultural Services Corp. offices — closed in 2021 under the Progressive Conservative government — have been reopened in Westman.

Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn visited Virden on Friday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at one site, with the other opening in Shoal Lake.

“It’s definitely an opportunity to celebrate,” Kostyshyn said.

The two new MASC office locations will provide in-person services for clients in the agriculture industry.

Germany is a short pitch away for one enterprising Manitoba student or recent graduate.

Come November, the academic will jet to the Falling Walls Lab Finale — a science and business-focused pitch competition that, when grouped with other events, draws some 60 nations across the globe.

“Because we are facing global problems, having global partners around the world is a good thing to have,” said Hans-Joachim Wieden, the University of Manitoba’s associate vice-president of partnership, knowledge mobilization and innovation, microbiology.

The University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg and Brandon University didn’t collaborate on sending a pupil to Germany because of the world’s shifting trade ties.

The North West Company Inc. reported on Monday an uptick in its second-quarter results year-over-year.

The Winnipeg-based retailer (with stores in northern and Western Canada, Alaska and the Caribbean) said its gross profit increased 0.1 per cent to $219.9 million compared to $219.8 million the same time frame last year, while net earnings increased 1.9 per cent to $37.6 million compared to $36.9 million for the quarter ended July 31.

It also announced its board of directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.41, to be paid on Oct. 15.

Second-quarter consolidated sales increased 0.1 per cent to $647 million compared to $646.5 million last year due to an increase in Canadian sales, new stores and the impact of foreign exchange on the translation of International Operations sales.