MarketsFarm — Crops in Manitoba remain in good shape, according to the latest weekly report from the province’s agriculture ministry.
In particular, Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development (MARD) found spring wheat across the province rated 85 per cent good to excellent — but with crops not doing as well in the province’s Interlake region.
While spring wheat in the southwest, northwest, central and eastern regions rated very high, the Interlake came in significantly lower at 60 per cent good to excellent, according to MARD. Also, the region had the highest ratings in the province for crops rated fair (20 per cent), poor (10 per cent) and very poor (10 per cent). The situation in the Interlake was likely made worse when the Teulon area, about a half hour north of Winnipeg, was inundated with more than 120 mm of rain Monday.
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Crops in Saskatchewan are developing in opposite directions, the province’s latest crop report said. Growing conditions in the province vary, with some areas receiving enough rain while other locations are experiencing crop stress due to hot, dry conditions.
Across the province, strong winds coupled with recent thunderstorms have been largely responsible for lodging in several types of crops, but it is believed they will recover.
That said, the heavy canopy could increase the risk for fungal diseases. The spraying of fungicide continued throughout most parts of Manitoba, but MARD noted wet conditions are forcing farmers to opt for aerial spraying over ground applications.
Barley was reported to be at the penultimate leaf to heading out stages, depending on when the crop was planted. Oats ranged from flag leaf to panicle emergence. Fall rye was mostly in the hard dough stage, with winter wheat in the soft dough stage.
Canola was rated at 60 per cent good to excellent, with the rest of the crop in fair condition, according to MARD. Spraying for sclerotinia was upward to 50 per cent complete, depending on the region.
Flax remained troubled by excessive moisture or by heat stress. Sunflowers were in the V9 to R3 stages.
Soybeans were reported to be in good condition and in the R1 to R3 stages. Field peas ranged from flowering to early podding. Pea aphids have been spotted in several areas and dry beans are being challenged by white mould, with spraying continuing for both crops.
Hay cutting was hampered by wet conditions, with fields reported to be soft and hay quality dropping. MARD estimated the first cut at 65 to 85 per cent complete, depending on the area. Dry hay yields were producing two to three bales per acre, with silage bales at three to 4.5 bales per acre. There has been some second cutting of hay in the Beausejour area, about a half hour east of Winnipeg.
