We can start with a new approach to emergency cattle feed supplies.

For the past three years, a feed crisis has risen in the Prairies, affecting many farmers, their livelihoods and their ability to feed their livestock and maintain their herd sizes.

This shortage of feed led those who did have feed to demand high prices, which in turn puts many farmers in need at a distinct disadvantage. Some have had to reduce herd sizes and others are exiting the industry.

According to Statistics Canada, the Canadian beef herd has shrunk by 25 per cent since 2005, and the multi-year drought added to that decline.

The drought affects more than livestock farmers’ bottom line. Statistics Canada data shows that, for every dollar received by livestock farmers, only five cents is retained. The other 95 cents is spent in their local community. This means a struggling and declining livestock sector also affects the communities that farmers live and operate within.

We won’t see the statistical effects of 2023 until into 2024. By then, the horse will have left the barn and it will be a little late to close the door.

I know that, with the price of feed, I will be forced to reduce my herd numbers by half. A neighbour to the south of me is leaving the sector with no plans to re-enter. Another farmer I was chatting with cut his herd in half a month ago and he feels more will have to go.

The phrases often heard to justify feed price hikes is that they are market driven. Whatever the cause, they make staying in the livestock industry harder, if not impossible.

But maybe we can do something about it.

In Alberta, there are many thousands of kilometres of road ditches mowed every year and the mowing is often paid for by taxpayers. Those thousands of kilometres of mowing add up to thousands of acres of forage that is chopped and left in the ditches. It could be used to provide feed for Alberta livestock farmers desperately short on feed.

Some may argue it is low quality feed. I have no answer, as I have never had the material tested.

However, it is feed that could fill the bellies of livestock. Perhaps it would need to be supplemented with higher-value feeds to give the animals the needed energy to make it through winter and carry calves to birth.

There is an argument that round bales left in ditches before pick-up present a hazard to the driving public, who might strike them when they hit the ditch. This is possible, but I would say it is no more of a hazard than the public possibly striking mowing equipment while in operation. Silaging the grasses may be a practical way to alleviate that concern.

Infrastructure and planning would be needed to make this idea a reality, along with government will, particularly if silaging was chosen. There would need to be the equipment to process the grasses and storage areas for the feed until such a time as it could be picked up or delivered.

Taxpayers are already picking up the tab for mowing and, in some cases, they are also paying for support program funds that go to farmers without feed. A per-tonne cost-recovery fee could be put in place for those who use the feed, as farmers are looking for a hand up, not a handout.

Our highways feature roadside turnouts for travelers to stop and rest or to check their vehicles and dispose of garbage. We could develop similar turnouts on the highways to store the feed.

The benefits to the taxpayer would be a better bang for their buck by turning grass waste from mowing into feed, thus helping farmers maintain herds in times of drought and feed shortage.

It should also help to reduce the cost of food at the stores. Companies use the same excuse for increasing prices there: shortages or market-driven pricing.

As with any new system, potential problems could arise, but we are capable of solving those issues if we put our minds to it.

Our environment seems to be changing. We can put our head in the sand and ignore it, or we can admit something’s afoot and develop strategies to help lessen the effects.

The role of government is to govern for the common good. I propose that the government should look at processing the ditch forage into silage or bale the feed and make it available to farmers.

Forty years ago in Alberta, we had a “can do” attitude in both the general population and political leadership. Today, we have a “can’t do it” attitude.

We must change the way we think and behave and get our old attitude back — and join that with a “we must do it” perspective.

I believe thinking outside the box and looking at things like harvesting ditches for livestock feed is something that can be done and should be done, so let’s do it.

– Neil Peacock is a 20-year member of the National Farmers Union, a third-generation rancher in Alberta’s Peace River region and small business owner.

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Among the risks this year is excess water, says Angie Johnson, North Dakota State University Extension farm and ranch safety coordinator.

“Precipitation has greatly improved the 2022 hay crop, but in some areas excessive moisture has been a challenge,” Johnson said. “The increase in surface and subsoil moisture means producers who cut, rake and bale road ditch hay have to watch out for water in the ditches that could lead to dangerous washouts, exposed culverts and soft spots.”

She recommends that farmers and ranchers inspect road ditches before they start haying and take the following actions:

• Mark out culverts that might be difficult to see while cutting.
• Plan for road signs, mailboxes, power poles and unusual obstructions, such as stakes, wire flags or other markers.
• Check for standing water and steep embankments. Overland flooding and erosion this spring caused many roadsides to become steep, washed out and eroded, creating potentially hazardous conditions.
• Walk through ditches to pick up litter, tires or other odd items that could cause equipment damage and add garbage to the hay.
• Haying ditches has unique safety concerns due to variable surfaces. Unsafe practices or conditions can damage equipment or cause injuries or even death.

“Your first line of defence while haying ditches needs to be the use of a tractor that has a fully enclosed cab or rollover protection system (ROPS) bar,” Johnson said. “In an open cab tractor, a ROPS bar in combination with a seat belt can protect you from being thrown and becoming pinned underneath tractor tires in the event the tractor tips or rolls due to the steep conditions of a ditch.”

Other important safety practices:

• Use dual rear wheels on the tractor to add balance and stability.
• Use the right sized baler for the size and power of the tractor. Most round balers have a high centre of gravity, increasing the chance of tipping, especially if one of the baler’s tires drops into an unseen hole or culvert.
• Grease the baler’s bearings and lubricate chains.
• Check for belt tears, missing pickup teeth and bands, discolouration of paint near the roller bearings (a sign of heat damage that could mean a bearing needs to be replaced), wrapped up twine or netwrap in rollers, and any maintenance steps the baler’s operator manual provides.
• For square baling, keep an eye on the baler’s knotters and never attempt to work on the baler while the power takeoff is engaged or when the flywheel is still in motion.
• Ensure all safety shields are in place, the PTO is disengaged (with tractor off) and safety locks are applied when performing maintenance and repairs.

During haying, keep the following safety concerns in mind:

• Be visible. When are ready to start haying, make sure you are using hazard lights and turn signals to let motorists know where you are going.
• Have a slow-moving vehicle sign on the tractor and baler that is visible to motorists.
• If you have to weave onto the road to avoid hitting road signs or mailboxes while haying ditches, stop and watch for traffic.
• When picking up small square bales from the road shoulder to be loaded and stacked onto a trailer, wear safety clothing so you are visible to motorists and trailer drivers.
• Use an air compressor to blow dry matter off the baler after every 50 to 75 round bales to reduce the risk of fire.
• Check the operator’s manual to determine how often to grease and lubricate the baler for routine maintenance.
• Have a working fire extinguisher and a cellphone in case you need to call for help.
• Stay hydrated.
• Let someone know where you are and how long you plan to be haying.
• “Ditch hay is expensive enough as it is due to the amount of equipment, labour, time and hazardous conditions that are present with each ditch,” Johnson said.
• “Take time to plan and evaluate the risks versus benefits of baling ditch hay. The bales produced from it are not worth losing a life. Safety precautions can help prevent a tragic incident from occurring while making hay this summer.”

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The province announced Friday it will make such lands available this year for agricultural use “under certain circumstances.” Permits and land uses will be handled through the Agricultural Crown Lands Leasing program.

Livestock grazing on permitted land must be removed either when its natural forage is exhausted, or by Oct. 31, the province said. Baled hay must be removed by Nov. 15.

The province also noted that if producers with AgriInsurance contracts plan to put a crop to alternate use, such as for feed, they first must contact Manitoba Agricultural Services Corp. to arrange for a field appraisal before that crop is harvested.

“Crop producers should also consider making crop residue available to livestock producers,” the province said Friday.

Producers interested in applying for Crown land use can contact the Agricultural Crown Lands Leasing program at 204-867-6550 or call their Agricultural Crown Lands district office. — Glacier FarmMedia Network

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Citing “dry conditions in parts of the province,” the Manitoba government announced Monday that livestock producers “will temporarily be allowed to cut hay and allow animals to graze on Crown land not normally designated for agricultural use.”

Crown land can be made available for agricultural use “under certain circumstances,” the province said, by way of its Agricultural Crown Lands Leasing program, which will administer the use of available land and provide necessary permits.

Producers interested in such leases are asked to contact the program office in Minnedosa or their local Crown lands representative.

Eligible producers’ livestock must be removed from the land either “when the naturally existing forage is exhausted” or by Oct. 31, the province said, and any baled hay must be removed by Nov. 15.

“The dry conditions of the past couple of years have created challenging conditions for beef producers in terms of the amount of grazing days available on their pastures and the volume and quality of hay they have been able to harvest,” Manitoba Beef Producers president Tom Teichroeb said Monday in a separate release.

“This announcement will provide an important option for producers who require additional feed options and we thank the government for making this available.”

Producers with AgriInsurance contracts who plan to put a crop to “alternate use” must contact the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corp. office to arrange for a field appraisal prior to harvesting the crop, the province noted Monday.

Crop producers “should also consider making crop residue available to livestock producers,” the province added.

“I know there are many beef producers who would welcome those kinds of conversations,” MBP’s Teichroeb said.

MBP, he added, “will continue to engage with the government about the effects of the dry conditions and possible strategies to help producers deal with these situations, such as water supply challenges.” — Glacier FarmMedia Network

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“We should be well underway in our progress and I think we are far behind right now,” said Leanna Rousell, executive director of the Saskatchewan Forage Council.

The majority of Saskatchewan has had a lot of wet weather this week, especially the lower half of the province, she said.

Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in some areas, forcing communities to delcares states of emergency, including Estevan, in Saskatchewan’s southeast, and Arborfield and Carrot River in the province’s northeast.

This has caused headaches for producers who’ve tried to start haying and for those trying to wait out the storm.

“I’ve heard of some crops that have been down for quite some time and have got rained on; the quality is just not there anymore,” Rousell said.

A lot of producers also haven’t started haying yet, Rousell said. With alfalfa past full bloom right now, quality will have dropped.

Haying operations haven’t been much better in Manitoba, where producers are baling fields at higher moistures than recommended or ensiling due to the frequent rains, according to the province’s most recent crop report.

With the feed value decreasing as time goes on, Rousell said she’s unsure how prices will be affected.

“Hopefully the weather will get all the rain out of its system and we’ll be able to start haying in the relatively near future,” she said. “If it doesn’t, everyone will probably take their hay crop off as soon as possible, but the overall quality will definitely be down.”

Very little hay trading has been done so far this year because the vast majority of hay has not been cut yet, Rousell said, but early prices are ranging from 3.6 to five cents per pound.

— Erin DeBooy writes for Commodity News Service Canada, a Winnipeg company specializing in grain and commodity market reporting.

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Most of this years first cut won’t make dairy quality therefore forage growers will need to push the cutting date for 2nd and or 3rd to try and get some top quality hay this year. Rainfall amounts across most of the province seem adequate for a good start to 2nd cut except in the NW region where moisture is still needed.

John McGregor – MFGA

Eastern

Over the weekend we have seen the fields move into the early flower stage and have grown about 1 inch/day. On Monday morning there were a number of fields in the area that were being knocked down in anticipation of a few days of good weather without rain.

Click here to read the final Green Gold Report for Eastern Manitoba (June 6) as a free PDF.

Central

There are reports of fields going into flower. Once alfalfa starts to flower it usually indicates that it is time to cut your hay no matter what type of livestock you are feeding. Alfalfa beyond full bloom doesn’t generally increase your tonnage of harvested material and as it matures it loses lower leaves rapidly, decreasing its feed value.

Click here to read the final Green Gold Report for Central Manitoba (June 6) as a free PDF.

Western/Interlake

Although haying is just underway in the Southwest, when rain is forecast, some think about waiting. There are many studies on this and they have determined that a one inch rain 24 hours after being cut can cause losses of up to 22 per cent in dry matter. Whereas a 1.6 inch rain over several day caused a loss or 44 per cent.

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Hay Situation

The hay situation varies throughout the province with the Southwest reporting that second cut alfalfa is complete with yields average to above and final cut likely closer to CHP. Quality is good depending on rain. Greenfeed silage yields are average to above and corn silage is above average in yield. There are reports of straw being harder to source.

The Northwest indicates some haying continued on native hay and some second cut alfalfa/grass mixes being harvested as well. Here yields are below average and native hay yields will help determine final supplies.

Central reports second cut hay harvest is complete in the southern area with good yield and quality. Some 3rd cut is being taken or waiting till after CHP.

The northern portion has been delayed due to weather and 2nd cut won’t likely come off till after a frost. Native hay fields west of Lake Manitoba are wet making harvest difficult.

The Eastern area reports that 2nd / 3rd cut is complete and final cut of alfalfa is being cut now or waiting till after the CHP. There are reports of surplus to adequate forage supplies with quality still an issue for top quality feed. Straw supplies maybe limited due to wet conditions, in the late harvest cereals, that have made baling difficult.

Interlake is reporting that 2 nd cut is complete along with native hay. Corn silage is nearing harvest with good yield potential. Hay supplies are ranging from a slight shortage to a slight surplus.

Hay Prices

The Western portion reports alfalfa in the 6-7 cents/lb range, Alfalfa/Grass at 4-6 cents/lb and beef hay is priced at 3- 4.5 cents/lb depending on quality. Straw is being sold at $6-10 per bale in the swath.

The Interlake reports alfalfa at 6 cents/lb, alfalfa/grass ranging from 4.5-6 cents/lb and beef hay at 4.5 cents/lb. Greenfeed is selling at 1.5 cents/wet lb standing.

The Eastern area reports Dairy hay at 8-10 cents /lb , alfalfa/grass hay at 6 cents/lb , beef hay at 3-5 cents varying due to rain or late maturity and straw at 3 cents/lb.

The Central portion reports dairy quality hay at 8-10 cents/lb, alfalfa/grass at 5-6 cents/lb , beef hay at 4-6 cents/lb and straw in the 2-3 cent/lb range.

Participate in the Hay Situation Survey for September

With the extreme variation in the hay situation this year, we would like to get your input as to the hay situation on your farm by answering a few questions. Findings will be reported in upcoming MFGA eBulletins.

Participate in our survey by clicking here!

Compiled by John McGregor, MFGA Extension Support

The post MFGA September hay situation and price update appeared first on Manitoba Co-operator.

Some areas reported light frost events Thursday and Friday. To date, minimal impact to crops has been reported largely due to temperatures and duration weren’t sufficient to cause damage, and/or crops were at or close to maturity.

Soybeans, grain corn and sunflowers are maturing quickly. Silage corn harvest has started, and the first acres of soybeans have also been harvested.

Seeding of winter wheat and fall continues, with the earliest seeded acres emerging.

• Click here for the Crop Weather Report for the week ending September 13

Southwest Region

There were warm and dry weather conditions throughout the week in the Southwest Region. Light frost was recorded in some areas of the region, with little to no crop damage noted.

Good harvest progress was made due to the good weather. In areas south of Highway #1, the harvest of spring cereal crops is close to complete. Yields are average to above average with good quality. In areas north of Highway #1, spring cereal harvest ranges from 50 per cent complete, where heavier precipitation amounts were recorded, up to 90 per cent complete. Yields are average to above average with good quality in most of cases, but areas that received heavy rains are reporting some yield and quality losses.

Canola swathing is approaching completion for all acres. Harvest progress was noted in non-reseeded fields with yields of 35 to 55 bu/acre. Some pod bleaching due to frost is noted in low lying areas in re-seeded canola fields.
The field pea harvest is complete with most yields above long term average. Flax fields continue to dry down with desiccation beginning in most fields.

Soybeans continue to advance with maturities in the R6.5 to R7 stages (seed fill to capacity); early maturing varieties are approaching R8 or brown seed pod. Sunflowers are in the R7 to early R8 stage.

Some producers have started to seed winter wheat and fall rye.

Second cut alfalfa continues to be harvested with yields average to above average with variable to good quality depending upon rainfall. Greenfeed silage harvest continues with average to above average yields reported. Corn silage has begun with above average yields. Water levels in dugouts are at approximately 85 to 90 per cent of capacity.

Northwest Region

Unsettled weather conditions over the past week, along with wet field conditions from the previous weekend, caused a delay in harvest progress throughout the Northwest Region. More favorable harvest conditions arrived in time for the weekend when excellent progress was made.

Overall, harvest is about 60 per cent complete for the Northwest Region. Some producers in the southern part of the region completed harvesting cereals and canola, and are now waiting on corn and beans. Soil moisture conditions are adequate in most areas and continue to be excessive in some localized areas.

The wheat harvest in the Northwest Region is approximately 99 per cent complete. Reported hard red spring wheat yields are extremely variable and range from 25 to 70 bu/acre. Most reports on wheat quality range between #1 and #2.
Overall, approximately 70 per cent of the canola crop has been swathed; some canola fields in the Roblin and Swan River areas may require another week before they are ready to swath. Canola harvest progress is estimated at 25 per cent complete; most progress is noted around the Dauphin area. Reported canola yields range from 30 to over 40 bu/acre.

Approximately 15 per cent of the corn crop is at the blister stage of growth, 50 per cent at the milk stage, and 35 per cent at the dough stage. For soybeans, 95 per cent of the crop is at the brown pod stage. Flax development ranges from 60 per cent at the boll stage of growth and 40 per cent mature.

In many cases, fall field work operations are caught up to harvest.

Central Region

Average to below average temperatures were seen through much of the week in the Central Region. There was no significant rainfall but standing water remains in some fields, and heavy dews are common. Light frost was reported on Thursday morning in Somerset and area, but is not expected to cause significant damage. Harvest continued where possible; good drying conditions allowed for the wetter areas to start harvesting late in the week. Some producers continue to choose fields for harvest based on how wet field conditions are.

Cereal crop harvest progressed and is close to complete. Quality of cereal crops remaining in the field is declining; downgrading is largely due to mildew and sprouting.

Majority of the canola harvest is also complete, with the last fields swathed and drying down, or standing and waiting for conditions to allow for straight cutting. Early yield reports are variable, with the best looking stands yielding 40 to 50 bu/acre, while the fields that struggled with excess precipitation as low as 10 to 15 bu/acre.

Most pea fields are harvested. Some were delayed due to wet field conditions. Early yield reports are in the 40 to 50 bu/acre range. Flax harvest continues; yield reports range from 18 to 35 bu/acre range.

Edible bean harvest continues as conditions allow, with average yields. Soybean harvest has begun, with less the 5 per cent of acres complete. Desiccation of sunflowers began last week, and continues as maturity allows. Corn is in the R5 to R6 stages, and dry down has begun.

Potato digging has begun.

There is good regrowth of perennial weeds post-harvest, allowing for control measures to be made in preparation for next year.

Fall tillage is underway. Many were waiting for rain before starting due to the dry topsoil conditions; others are delayed due to wet conditions. Soil testing continues.

Fall rye and winter wheat continue to be seeded. Some will be seeded now that moisture is adequate; in other areas, producers are waiting for field conditions to dry. Additional moisture will be welcome above the escarpment to support fall development. At this point, seeded acres are expected to be flat to slightly above last year’s acres.

Hay harvest is mostly complete for second cut in southern areas, with reasonable yield and quality. Some third cut is being done, with more to follow, in the west. In the northwest part of the region, second cut haying is mostly delayed until close to a frost to avoid cutting during the critical fall period. Pasture growth has slowed or stopped, dependent on moisture conditions. Hay and pasture in areas above the escarpment would benefit from rain.

Eastern Region

In the Eastern Region, the weather last week was significantly cooler than the previous week with mixed cloud cover and the occasional isolated rain shower and morning fog and mist. Conditions did not become favourable for field drying and crop dry down until the weekend when sunny and warmer conditions accompanied by strong winds occurred. As a result, harvest progress and field operations such as tillage and winter wheat seeding were limited until the weekend. Producers are hoping to make significant progress this week if the weather allows.

Spring wheat harvest is 90 per cent complete with an average yield of 55 bu/acre and average quality. About 65 per cent of the oat crop is harvested with an average yield of 110 bu/acre and average quality. Both wheat and oat quality were downgraded where harvest was delayed due to adverse weather conditions, particularly with oats. It is suspected that quality levels in the remaining spring cereal crops to harvest will continue to reflect this loss in quality. About 60 per cent of the canola is harvested with an average yield of 40 bu/acre and average quality.

Soybeans are in the mid to late R7 growth stages with some fields recently achieving R8. Sunflowers are in the R8 and R9 growth stages and desiccation has occurred in some fields. Corn is in the dent (R5) growth stage.

Pasture conditions are rated at 60 per cent good, 20 per cent fair and 20 per cent poor. Some second and third cut hay was put up at the end of the week with most of the feed put up as round bale silage. Pastures are in good condition as cows are moved to hay fields to graze. Currently, hay supplies are rated at 20 per cent surplus and 80 per cent adequate. Straw, greenfeed and feed grain supplies are all rated as adequate. Availability of livestock water is also adequate.

Interlake Region

In the Interlake Region, trace amounts of precipitation and mild temperatures were experienced. There were reports of a light frost on Friday morning in areas of the North Interlake region near Arborg. Harvest progress slowed due to heavy dews and small rain showers during the earlier part of the week. Excess soil moisture conditions are making harvest difficult in the South Interlake area.

Harvest is estimated to be 45 to 55 per cent complete. Harvesting of spring cereals and oilseeds continued throughout the week. Spring cereals are estimated to be 60 to 65 per cent completed. The quality of some spring wheat crops are decreasing due to precipitation causing sprouting and mildew issues.

Canola is estimated to be 40 to 50 per cent harvested; swathing of late seeded and reseeded canola fields swathing is still occurring. Estimated yields range from 9 to 12 bu/acre to 40 to 60 bu/acre.

Soybeans are approaching maturity. Most fields are dropping leaves and in southern areas 40 to 50 per cent brown pod has occurred in some fields. Sunflowers and corn fields continue to mature. Alfalfa seed fields are being swathed and desiccated this week as plants reach maturity.

The remainder of second cut haying operations is taking place, along with some native hay being harvested. Corn silage is at or near stages ready for chopping; yield potential looks to be average to above average. Pastures are still rated as good to fair in most areas. There is adequate water supply for livestock.

The post Manitoba Crop Report and Crop Weather report: Issue 20 appeared first on Manitoba Co-operator.

A strong weather system passed through several areas of the Central Region the morning of August 28. Heavy rains and small to large-sized hail resulted in varying amounts of crop damage.

Harvest of winter cereals is complete with average to above average yields and good quality.

Spring wheat, barley, oats, canola and field pea harvest continues as field and weather conditions allow.

Minimal acres of winter wheat and fall rye are seeded to date.

• Click here for the Crop Weather Report for the week ending August 30

Southwest Region

In the Southwest Region, little to no rainfall over the past week helped producers continue with harvest. Rainfall amounts did vary with the majority of the rain coming on Thursday evening in scattered thundershowers. Rainfall amounts for the week ranged from 5 to 25 mm.

Harvest progress varies throughout the Southwest Region. In the south and southwest areas of the region, harvest is 50 to 60 per cent complete. In areas north of Highway #1, harvest is approximately 30 per cent complete with approximately 10 per cent of the spring wheat crop harvested, and the majority of barley acres harvested. Harvest of winter cereals is complete across the region.

Winter cereal yields are average to slightly above average, and good quality. Spring wheat yields are average to above average with good quality. Barley yields are also reported as average to slightly above average with good quality.

Canola that wasn’t reseeded because of spring frosts is swathed. Some canola has been harvested, with reports of average yields and higher levels of disease in some of the earlier crop. Reseeded canola is starting to be cut and majority of the crop will be ready to be cut by the end of the week.

The soybean crop is advancing well and recent rains will help crop in the later stages of development. Most of the crop is in the R6 stage with some of the early crop beginning maturity. Sunflowers are in the R6 stage with early seeded sunflowers in the R7 stage. Reports of heavy disease pressure in some areas. Most corn is in the grain filling stages, ranging from R2 to R3. Flax is turning with the odd early field being desiccated.

Pastures benefited from recent rains; however, overgrazed pastures may be under pressure to make the month of September for grazing. Silage of cereal crops is being done and yields are average to above average. Second cut hay is being done with most areas reporting average yields and good quality. Dugouts are about 80 per cent full.

Northwest Region

Harvest operations in the Northwest Region moved ahead slowly over the past week. High humidity and heavy dew in the mornings, along with light sporadic showers, contributed to the slow harvest progress. Early seeded canola crops that were not reseeded because of frost are being swathed. Reseeded canola fields are at least ten days away from swathing. In many cases, fall field work operations are caught up to harvest. Soil moisture conditions are adequate in most parts of the region and excessive in some localized areas.

The wheat harvest is the furthest advanced at this point in the region; estimated 70 per cent of the hard red wheat crop is combined. Reported hard red spring wheat yields are extremely variable and range from 25 to 70 bu/acre. Very little canola has been harvested. Approximately 40 per cent of the canola crop has been swathed.

Approximately 45 per cent of the corn crop is in the blister stage of growth, 50 per cent is at milk stage, and 5 per cent at dough stage. For soybeans, 100 per cent of the crop is podded. About 85 per cent of the flax crop is at the boll stage of growth and 15 per cent is mature.
Rain in many areas late Sunday evening has halted haying, greenfeed and silage operations. Harvest will resume once weather and field conditions allow. Second cut hay harvest saw average yields and native hay will continue to be harvested. Cereal silage is complete showing average yields. Water supplies are adequate in most parts of the region.

Central Region

The Central Region saw normal to above normal temperatures during the week with minimal precipitation accumulations. However, on Friday morning a strong weather system moved through some areas of the region. Large hail was reported through the Altona and Plum Coulee areas; hail fell for up to fifteen minutes with stones ranging from marble to baseball in size. Hail was also reported in other areas including St.Claude, Glenboro to Rathwell, south of Carman, and from Miami to Winkler. Damage occurred to crops such as corn, edible beans, soybeans and canola. Rainfall amounts up to 33 mm were also associated with the system.

Harvest had resumed early to mid-week after the previous weekends’ rain/cool conditions, but field activity was limited with heavy dews and high relative humidity through the week. Smoky conditions resulting from forest fires in Washington State moderated temperatures but did prolong drying of morning dews. Producers are limited by wet conditions when selecting fields for harvest. Artificial grain drying and aeration is occurring as some grain is being harvest at tough moisture levels.
Cereal crop harvest has progressed and is starting to wind down. Progress is slow in lodged fields. Wheat harvest is 40 to 90 per cent completed with the Red River Valley the most advanced. Fusarium head blight levels are reported to be generally low in both winter and spring wheat, and quality is generally good. Quality of the wheat remaining in the field is declining, with downgrading due to mildew and sprouting.

Much of the canola crop is swathed. Combining of canola is well underway in the Red River Valley, with progress estimated at 60 per cent complete. More canola is being straight cut, with positive results to date. Early yield reports are variable, with the best looking stands yielding in the 40 to 50 bu/acre range, to yields as low as 10 to 15 bu/acre.

Field pea harvest is delayed due to wet field conditions. Early yield reports are in the 45 bu/acre range. Flax is at the boll stage and starting to turn. There is limited swathing or harvesting done, although some fields are complete in the Roland area. No yield reports to date.

The back of the heads of earliest seeded sunflowers‎ are yellow; desiccation may start in ten days to two weeks. The most recent rains will benefit corn. Most soybean fields are finished flowering. Some of the earliest seeded fields are seeing leaf colour change. Edible beans are starting to turn; some fields have been cut with minimal acres harvested to date.
Some fields have been cultivated, following harvest. Soil testing has begun.

The second cut hay harvest is mostly complete in the southern areas, with reasonable yield and quality. The wettest areas in the northwest report poor quality second cut hay, which is still being harvested. Some fields are not advanced enough to take another cut, and producers are waiting to see if there will be enough growth to warrant that second operation. Low lying areas and sloughs are being cut for feed ‎where access is possible. Pastures are rated in good to fair condition.

Eastern Region

In the Eastern Region, the weather last week was very humid with temperatures climbing from seasonal to hot as the week progressed. With localized rainfall events throughout the week and on the weekend, harvest progress was limited. Some harvesting resumed on Wednesday or Thursday in districts where field access was possible. Some field rutting is noted and standing water in field low spots is also still evident throughout the region. The precipitation may impact quality of crops. Warm season crops are showing signs of excess moisture stress in some fields.

Winter wheat harvesting is complete with an average yield of 70 bu/acre and average quality. Spring wheat harvest is 75 per cent complete with an average yield of 60 bu/acre with average quality. About 40 per cent of the oat crop is harvested with an average yield of 110 bu/acre with average quality. About 35 per cent of the canola is harvested with an average yield of 45 bu/acre with average quality. Soybeans are in the R6 growth stage. Sunflowers are in the R7 growth stage with corn in the milk (R3) growth stage.

Pasture conditions are rated at 80 per cent good, 10 per cent fair and 10 per cent poor. There still are hay swaths laying in wet field conditions and dry weather is needed for producers to resume haying. Most producers have their straw baled. Pastures benefited from the rains. Livestock are starting to graze hay fields that were cut earlier. Currently, hay supplies are rated at 20 per cent surplus and 80 per cent adequate. Straw, greenfeed and feed grain supplies are all rated as adequate. Availability of livestock water is also adequate and dugouts are full.

Interlake Region

Hot temperatures and humid conditions delayed harvest in many parts of the Interlake Region. Scattered showers earlier in the week brought 5 to 25 mm of rainfall to the region. Damage from last week’s hail storm in Teulon ranged from 10 to 90 per cent hail damage, depending on individual fields.

Spring cereal harvest is slow due to wet, humid conditions. Harvesting of cereals is estimated to be 45 to 50 per cent complete with many acres in the North Interlake remaining to be harvested. Canola continues to be harvested and swathed. Combining is slow due to wet field conditions in the Teulon and Selkirk areas.

Earlier seeded soybeans finished flowering and are starting to change color. The number of aphids decreased significantly making an insecticide spray not needed. Corn is in the blister (R2) stage and sunflowers are in the R6 to R7 stage.

Recent rains stalled haying operations. However, pastures benefitted and second growth on hayfields looks good. There is also reduced grasshopper and alfalfa weevil damage due to the intermittent rains. Progress is being made with ensiling of greenfeed crops. Silage corn looks good.

The post Manitoba Crop Report and Crop Weather report: Issue 18 appeared first on Manitoba Co-operator.

• Click here for the Green Gold report for the Western/Interlake area as of June 15

The Green Gold program is now wound up for the 2015 year. The Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA) promotes the Green Gold program with the assistance of producers and MAFDR staff that help us collect alfalfa samples from across the province.

For more information email John McGregor, Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association Extension Support.

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