Manitoba’s harvest continued to progress, reaching 24 per cent completion as of Sept. 2 despite light to moderate precipitation in most areas, according to the latest provincial crop report.
Combining for winter wheat and fall rye was near complete at 97 per cent with a few fields in the northwest and Interlake regions yet to come off the ground. The field pea harvest was not far behind at 81 per cent complete. Barley was at 49 per cent, while oats were at 47 per cent, spring wheat at 41 per cent and canola at 13 per cent.
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Spring wheat quality was the best in the central and northwest regions at 80 per cent good to excellent, followed by the eastern and Interlake regions at 70 per cent and the southwest region at 65 per cent. Most spring wheat yields were estimated at 60 to 90 bushels per acre. However, yields in the Interlake region ranged from 25 to 70 bu./ac. However, bleaching and fusarium head blight have resulted in downgrades. Oat yield estimates ranged from 80 to 110 bu./ac., while barley yielded between 90 to 115 bu./ac. Corn was in the R3 (milk) to R5 (dent) stages.
While the canola harvest has started in the central and eastern regions, swathing and pre-harvest applications are ongoing throughout most of the province. Sunflowers ranged from the R5 (flowering) to R7 stages. Most flax fields were in the R11 (brown capsule) and R12 (seed ripe) stages.
Field peas ranged from 30 to 65 bu./ac., while soybeans were in the R5 and R6 stages in all regions.
Warmer temperatures and increased soil moisture led to improved pasture and forage growth, which were better than last year. Forage yields were above normal with most producers completing second cut as well as spring cereal silage. Annuals for cattle feed were yielding at average to good levels. Dairy producers in the eastern region were making their third cut with yields at average or better. Beef cattle producers were making their second cut of tame hay fields. Corn silage harvest has not yet started, but corn was fully dented.
Dugouts were at 65 to 75 per cent capacity while water supplies were adequate in most areas. Cattle producers were trying to control fly numbers while on the lookout for foot rot and pink eye.
Winkler and Jordan in the central region received the most precipitation during the week ended Sept. 2 at 24.6 millimetres with Saint Labre in the eastern region close behind at 24.1 mm. Waskada in the southwest region received no precipitation.
