Table 1. Range of measurements of seven-day accumulated precipitation in Manitoba’s agricultural regions.

Storms force re-seeding in some areas, pea crops see good emergence

Manitoba Crop Report: Issue 5 (week 24)

Weekly provincial summary Precipitation was variable across agro–Manitoba from June 5 to 11 with values ranging from 0 to 82.7 mm (see Table 1 at top). Isolated storms brought significant rainfall to areas in the Northwest regions on June 7 and 8, especially near San Clara and Rivers. San Clara (82.7 mm) received the most

Pterostichus melanarius ground beetles have garnered interest as possible predators for pea leaf weevil.

Ground beetle biocontrol against pea leaf weevil

Management of pea leaf weevil is tricky, since by the time the farmer knows they have a problem, it’s often too late to spray

Pea leaf weevil is a nasty pest of peas and faba bean and its quirky behaviour makes it almost impossible to manage. The weevils are small and difficult to see. The farmer often doesn’t know they’re in the field until they find nicks in the leaves of their crop. By that time, it’s too late


Figure 1: Seeding Progression in 2023 Compared to Previous Years.

Seeding in Manitoba nearly complete, hot weather sees heat stress in livestock

Manitoba Crop Report: Issue 4 (week 23)

Weekly provincial summary  Precipitation was variable across agro–Manitoba from May 29 to June 4 with values ranging from 0 to 57.1 mm. Isolated storms brought significant rainfall to areas in the Eastern region, parts of the Interlake, and parts of the Northwest. Teulon (57.1 mm) received the most precipitation in the past seven days. Climate

File photo of a field pea crop in western New South Wales, Australia. (Alfio Manciagli/iStock/Getty Images)

Pulse weekly outlook: Dryness to cut into Australian production

MarketsFarm — Dry conditions and low soil moisture reserves in key Australian growing regions, along with expectations for developing El Nino weather patterns, are expected to cut into the country’s pulse production in 2023-24, despite steady to higher seeding intentions for several crops, according to the latest crop report from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural


Field peas. (Lisa Guenther photo)

Pulse weekly outlook: Manitoba crops get good start but need rain

Some bean growers seek moisture at lower planting depths

MarketsFarm — Pulse growers in Manitoba are waiting for one thing: rain. So far in May, growing areas of the province have not seen any significant precipitation, according to Dennis Lange, industry development specialist for pulse crops with Manitoba Agriculture. Dry beans, he said, are the last pulse crop farmers have been planting in Manitoba

"It is a chance
to showcase
that, as well as
being working
landscapes and
being a critical
part of farms in
Manitoba and on
the Prairies, that
these particular
ecosystems are
incredibly
valuable and we
need to continue
to build attention
around them.”

Rangelands to get global spotlight

2026 will be the UN International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, and local forage advocates are glad to see it

Peas, lentils and beans got a big boost to their public profile thanks to the UN’s International Year of Pulses in 2016. Soils got a similar treatment a year earlier. In 2026, it will be all about grazed land. WHY IT MATTERS: Grassland habitat has been quickly disappearing on the Canadian Prairies and conservation groups


Lentil plants in bloom. (BasieB/iStock/Getty Images)

Pulse weekly outlook: Better growing conditions despite dryness, smoke

Continued smoky skies could slow crop development

MarketsFarm — While dry conditions persist across the Prairies, the current situation for pulses is not as bad as during the two previous springs, according to Pulse Canada’s director of market access and trade policy. Mac Ross said dryness is largely evident across Western Canada and many crops are still below their five-year averages for

“We should continue breeding local varieties that are adapted to Manitoba and not rely on other entities.” – Daryl Domitruk, Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers.

Pulse Growers releases research cluster results

Insights will push forward root rot research, variety development

Results from a five-year cluster of research will advance work on issues like root rot and develop locally adapted pulse varieties, according to the Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers (MPSG). The group recently released the results of studies it co-funded through the Pulse Science Cluster. MPSG contributed just over $1.4 million to eight projects within


A corn field in Alberta is managed with strip tillage.

Strip till: It’s new, it’s tricky and you can’t ask the neighbours for advice

On paper, strip-till is an excellent way to reduce erosion and improve soil health, but there’s a learning curve

Glacier FarmMedia – Being a pioneer isn’t easy, but sometimes it can pay off. Or at least that’s what John Kolk hopes. Over the past few years, the southern Alberta farmer has been using strip tillage on row crops such as dry beans, corn and soybeans. Although the system hasn’t been a big earner in

Figure 1: Seeding progression in 2023 compared to previous years.

Seeding progress behind five-year average, soybean, canola seen lagging

Manitoba Crop Report: Issue 1 (week 20)

Weekly Provincial Summary  Precipitation was variable across agro–Manitoba from May 8 to 14 with values ranging from 0 to 48.9 mm. Mid-week rains brought the highest observed precipitation to the Northwest and Southwest regions. Climate normals for total accumulated precipitation from May 1 to May 14 range from 13.1 to 29.2 mm and are based