Seeding is nearing completion for the 2018 season in Manitoba, with progress estimated at 94 per cent complete.
Most areas of the province received rainfall, although amounts were variable. Additional precipitation is needed in many areas.
The recent rains combined with warm temperatures have resulted in rapid germination, emergence, and crop growth.
Herbicide applications are underway, and are expected to become a priority in the coming week.
Flea beetles activity is reported throughout the province, with control measures necessary in some fields.
- Click here for the Crop Weather Report for the week ending May 27
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Southwest Region
The Southwest region received much needed precipitation. Rainfall amounts were variable and ranged from 3 to over 40 mm throughout the region. More precipitation would be greatly appreciated in most of the region. Air temperatures were above normal for most of the week.
Winter wheat and fall rye are progressing well. Weed control has been completed in most fields.
Overall, 85 per cent of seeding is complete in the Southwest region. Cereal crop seeding is 90 per cent complete. Early seeded cereals are growing well and are in the 3 to 4 leaf stage.
Peas seeding is complete and most of fields are at 2 to 3 node stage.
Canola seeding is 85 per cent complete and most fields are at the cotyledon stage. Recent rains gave a good boost to the crop. Flea beetles and cutworms are an issue in some fields. There are some reports of spraying for flea beetles and some producers are considering reseeding canola.
Early seeded flax and sunflower are emerging well.
Soybean seeding is 75 to 80 per cent complete with some emergence on early seeded fields.
Grain and silage corn seeding is 70 per cent complete.
Diamondback moth numbers are low in most areas.
The recent rainfall will help hay and pasture hand, although more precipitation is needed in the far Southwest of the region. Areas that received rain are greening up. First cut yields will be poor to fair. Some producers have been looking for hay or other alternative supplements.
Northwest Region
Rainfall amounts were variable in the Northwest Region this week. The hot weather resulted in thunderstorms, large quantities of rainfall in a short period and reports of pea-sized hail in the Laurier and Swan River areas.
Some locations around Roblin continue to be very dry; however; the area also received precipitation with upwards of 53mm of rain. Rainfall amounts in Swan River ranged from 15 to 59 mm with some hail, no reports of significant damage have been received. Rainfall amounts of 15 to 25 mm fell at The Pas. Ethelbert and Pine River areas had 36 to 100 mm of rain with some considering if reseeding will be necessary in flooded fields.
The rain has made a huge difference to crop emergence and soil moisture conditions. Overall, seeding progress is estimated at 90 per cent complete. Seeding in The Pas is estimated to be 75 per cent complete.
Seeding of spring wheat is 75 to 95 per cent complete with 50 per cent of the fields emerging. Seeding of canola is 80-95 per cent complete; much of the canola seed had been sitting in dry soil however where rain occurred, emergence has been rapid. Seeding of soybeans is 85 to 100 per cent complete. Most acres of field peas are seeded and emerging. Winter cereals overwintered in good condition and are growing well.
Herbicide applications are underway. Flea beetle activity is increasing. No reports of diamondback activity have been received.
Forage growth progressed rapidly this past week in areas that received significant rainfall. In these areas, the warm temperatures also helped advance growth with alfalfa measuring up to 18 inches in height, growing over 12 inches in the past week. Dry conditions remain with slow forage growth in parts of the region that missed last weeks’ rain. Livestock continue to be hauled to pasture and supplementation required where moisture has been limited. Early seeded corn silage fields have emerged.
Central Region
Above normal temperatures prevailed during the week. Rainfall amounts were variable in the Central region, ranging from 1 to 44 mm. Rainfall amounts were generally lower in the Red River Valley. Storms brought hail in the Snowflake and Holland areas, no major crop damage has been reported. Some parts of the Central region missed the precipitation, and overall precipitation remains below normal.
Seeding is considered to be 99 per cent complete but ranges from 95 per cent in the western part of the region to complete in the Red River Valley. Tillage operations have been kept to a minimum during seeding in an attempt to preserve topsoil moisture.
Seeding of wheat, oats, barley, and corn is complete. Most cereal crops have emerged with one to four leaves present on the most advanced fields. Emergence of cereals is generally good but somewhat variable in areas given the dryer seedbed conditions.
Canola seeding ranges from 95-100 per cent complete. Canola is emerging and is most advanced in the Red River Valley area. In the western and northern parts of the region dry topsoil has delayed emergence of canola but the recent rain is helping to improve that. Emergence is reported as spotty in many places due to the earlier dry topsoil conditions.
There are many reports of flea beetle activity across the region requiring control measures. Some fields have suffered extensive damage and may be reseeded. Low diamondback moth counts to date.
The majority of pea acres have been seeded with good emergence. Seeding of sunflowers and flax is complete. Soybean acres range from 95-100 per cent complete with many fields emerged or emerging. Soybean fields in the Red River Valley are most advanced with fields as far as the 1st trifoliate stage.
Seeding of potatoes is almost complete. Some producers have started to irrigate and are waiting for emergence.
Edible bean planting progressed well with about 65-75 per cent of the acres in. Weather permitting, the balance of acres remaining are expected to go in this week. Soil applied herbicides are being applied ahead of field beans as soil moisture conditions have improved.
Many winter wheat fields have been terminated due to winter damage. Fall rye has survived better and is growing well. Growth was moderated by the dry conditions but the crop is benefitting from the recent rains.
Earlier dry seedbed conditions resulted in lower than normal levels of winter annual and annual weeds. Annual weeds are now emerging and herbicides are being applied. Herbicide applications have been a challenge due to windy conditions. Weather permitting, herbicide applications are expected to ramp up this week as crops are coming into the proper stage.
Pasture conditions are rated as fair but range from poor to good and are improving since the recent precipitation. Forage growth remains a concern in areas to the Northwest of the Central region where rainfall has been minimal. Greenfeed is being planted to help compensate for poor hay yields if dry conditions continue. Cattle are being turned out onto pastures as growth is improving. Livestock water supply is adequate at this time but water levels are low and would benefit from significant precipitation to improve supply. Where possible some producers have been pumping water into their dugouts to improve supplies.
Eastern Region
Rainfall amounts varied greatly across the Eastern Region with areas receiving as little as 1 mm to as much as 20+ mm. The week was hot, humid and sunny until Thursday when intermittent rain showers and short thunderstorms occurred sporadically for the remainder of the week. Producers would still like to see additional rainfall. Given how dry it has been, soil surfaces are drying out quickly allow rapid field access for seeding or spraying. Some Northern areas of the region received nickel to quarter sized hail but no significant crop damage reported to date.
Seeding basically wrapped up across the Eastern Region and is estimated at 100 per cent complete aside from some late planted annual crops for greenfeed. Warm temperatures and rainfall resulted in a jump in crop growth.
Winter wheat fields that survived are at the 4 to 5 leaf stage and tillering. Spring cereals at the 3 to 4 leaf stage with 1 to 2 tillers. Canola is in the cotyledon to 2-leaf stage. Soybeans are in the cotyledon to 1st true leaf. Sunflowers are emerging. Corn is in the V1 to 2 stage.
Pre and post emergent herbicide applications continue and recent rains have resulted in increased weed emergence. Some fields are still demonstrating patchy and uneven emergence. Overall, more rainfall would be greatly appreciated.
Soil drifting within and from rolled soybean fields has occurred. Some producers have had to harrow soybean fields to level the soil out so that crop emergence is not hampered and so that mounds of soil do not get in the way of the combine. In some fields harrowing has resulted in seedling damage and thinned stands.
Flea beetle feeding on canola has been noted and is being monitored. Some spraying for flea beetles has occurred.
Pasture growth has started to pick up and producers are hauling more livestock to pasture as there is little feed left. Some producers are waiting to seed greenfeed. Dugouts are 75 per cent full.
Interlake Region
Rainfall continues to be extremely variable throughout the region, with amounts ranging from 2 to over 30 mm. Severe weather accompanied rains on Friday night; with hail reported north/northeast of Stonewall, and wind damage to bins, trees and property in the Petersfield/Clandeboye area. Rainfall amounts of 25 mm+ fell in Teulon, Lake Francis, Stonewall and Woodlands. Thunderstorms dropped as much as 50 mm and more in isolated areas. Intense rainfall resulted in some crop damage; some soil moved with runoff, and likely seed with it.
Seeding is essentially complete, with almost all areas reporting over 95 per cent complete. Ashern reports 90 per cent complete, with greenfeed left to go in.
All areas will be looking for timely rains for crop growth.
Good survival reported in many winter wheat and fall rye fields. Recent rains have resulted in noticeable growth.
Later seeded crops were sitting in dry soil, particularly those fields that saw pre-seed tillage. Some soybeans had germinated, but had not moved due to lack of moisture.
Germination is patchy in many cereal and canola fields; rains will aid in filling in the gaps. The most consistent germination and emergence seems to be in fields that were seeded with minimal disturbance.
Cereals range from emerging to early four leaf; and rows are visible in a number of fields. Corn is emerging to two leaf. Peas are at the 2 to 3 node stage. Canola ranges from emerging to two leaf. Some soybeans are breaking ground to cotyledon stage.
Minimal amounts of pre-seed burnoff have been completed due to lack of weed growth and dusty conditions. Some soil-applied products have gone down prior to peas, flax and sunflowers. Post seed/pre-emergent applications are targeted where conditions allow. Herbicide applications will start in the most advanced cereals later this week, as conditions allow.
Reports of flea beetle activity throughout the region. Hotspots are reported in early seeded fields where seed treatment protection has run its course. Some headlands are receiving insecticide applications in areas of highest pressure. Diamondback moth traps have few if any moths so far.
Forage crops are slow to progress. Recent scattered rains have perked up some hay and pasture growth, but additional rain is needed. Well-managed hay and pasture fields are showing their resilience during this dry period. Previously over grazed pastures are quite slow to regrow. Frosts in the first half of May have set back growth, particularly in low-lying areas. In the driest areas in the northwest, pastures are declining, and going brown.
Supplemental feeding of cattle continues. Cattle remain on pastures close to home, to facilitate feeding and watering. Cattle producers are dipping in to reserve feedstocks. Although drinking water is currently adequate for most cattle operations, dugout water levels are declining and range from 1/3 to 2/3s full, with some reported to have no water.
