Crop Report

 

Provincially, seeding in Manitoba is estimated at 61% complete, with cooler temperatures and precipitation in the form of snow and rain slowing progress over the past week.

 

Precipitation ranged from trace amounts to 37 mm; minimal accumulations were recorded in the Southwest and Central Regions. Areas within Manitoba would benefit from additional precipitation to assist in seeding progress, crop emergence and growth.

 

Temperatures below 0°C were recorded throughout the weekend. Frost injury symptoms are evident on emerged crops such as canola, soybeans and corn. However, in some areas minimal crop injury is reported, largely in part due to very little crop emergence. Assessment of crop growth and plant stands will continue in the coming days.

 

Crops continue to emerge; however, slow emergence and growth was noted due to the cooler air and soil temperatures, as well as drier soil conditions in some areas. The forecasted warmer temperatures will be welcomed.

 

 

Rainfall amounts varied over the past week in the Southwest Region, with reports of 2 to 15 mm. Some areas reported snow over the weekend. Cool temperatures slowed seeding progress but most producers were back in the field by the weekend. Most areas in the region reported frost over the past week with minimum temperatures reaching minus 5 degrees Celsius. However, damage reported is minimal as many of the canola acres had not emerged yet because of dry conditions. Overall, seeding is estimated at 65 to 70% complete.

 

Seeding of cereal crops is 75 to 85% complete, with early seeded cereals emerging and in the 2 to 3 leaf stage. There are some issues with germination due to drier soil conditions in some areas. Canola seeding is 40% complete with concerns regarding dry conditions and poor germination. Seeding of peas is complete with several fields emerged. Corn planting began last week and will continue as soil temperatures warm. Planting progress of soybeans is at 15% complete as producers were waiting for better planting conditions.

 

Winter crops continue to advance and most producers have completed in-crop weed control.

 

Forage and pasture land has greened up and several producers began moving cattle to pasture this past week. Dugouts are about 80% full.

 

 

Seeding progress was slow in the Northwest Region over the past week primarily due to cold, wet soil conditions. Soil moisture is adequate in most parts, although there are low areas in some fields that have excessive moisture. Soil temperatures range between 5 to 10 degrees Celsius. There were snow flurries at the end of the week resulting in accumulated snow in the south central part of the region and rainfall was reported throughout the region with amounts varying from 15 to over 37 mm depending on location. Frost occurred throughout the Northwest Region with temperatures varying between minus 2 to minus 7 degrees Celsius.

 

There was limited field activity over the week, including some harrowing, fertilizer applications, pre-seed herbicide applications, seeding of wheat, silage corn and some canola. Overall, seeding progress in the Northwest Region is estimated to be 40% complete.

 

Approximately 85% of the wheat crop is seeded while seeding of other crop types is as follows: field peas, flax and fababeans at 20%, silage corn at 5%, and canola and soybeans at 10% complete. Many producers are delaying seeding soybeans and canola until after the middle of the month when soil moisture and temperature might be more suitable for uniform emergence of these crops.

 

Volunteer plants, including cereals and canola, are evident in many fields. Weed growth including stinkweed, dandelions, hemp nettle, thistle, quackgrass and wild oats is general throughout the area. Insect activity is quiet.

 

Forage growth slowed down last week with cooler conditions and light frost. Cattle moved to pasture require additional supplementation. Last week’s rainfall and this week’s forecasted warm temperatures will greatly improve forage growth.

 

 

Temperatures cooled off significantly from the previous week, and the entire Central Region saw frost on the weekend. Most areas reported minimum temperatures of minus 5 to minus 6 degrees Celsius, with temperatures dipping below zero before midnight. Agronomists and producers will be evaluating injury to canola as temperatures warm and growing conditions improve.

 

Little to no rainfall this past week resulted in some producers delaying seeding of canola and soybeans into dry soil; cold soils and risk of frost were also factors in these decisions. Most producers will resume seeding this week as the mid-point of May is past. Precipitation would be welcome for all crops, including pasture and hay. Snow showers were seen on Friday and Saturday.

 

Seeding progress in the Central Region ranges from 65 to 90% complete; a number of producers have completed their seeding operations. In general, southern areas of the region are the most advanced; areas that received more rain in April lag behind.

 

The majority of cereals are seeded with progress ranging from 90 to 100% complete; average is 95% or higher. Crop is emerging nicely where soil moisture is adequate, with the most advanced fields in the two to three leaf stage. Canola seeding progress ranges from 35 to 100% complete, averaging 70% for the region. The earliest seeded fields are emerging. Some producers continue to wait for rain before seeding; but most producers will seed this week. Many fields have dry soil conditions, so emergence hasn’t been complete; in these fields frost is less of a concern as the majority of the seed hasn’t germinated. There are reports of frost injury to emerged canola and evaluations continue. It is too early to determine what amount of re-seeding will occur.

 

Corn planting progress ranges from 80 to 100% complete, with some fields emerging. Frost injury is reported. Sunflower seeding progress ranges from 80 to 100% complete. Seeding of soybeans continues with progress ranging from 15 to 70% complete, with the regional average around 35 to 40%. The majority of fields will be seeded by the end of the week or early into next week. Pea acres are significantly higher than last year, almost all are seeded, and emergence continues.

 

Excellent winter survival is seen in winter wheat and fall rye. Most fields are tillering, with some stem elongation in fall rye reported. Herbicide applications should start shortly, where required. Fields are reported as being quite weed-free, with few if any wild oats seen in the majority of fields.

 

Weed growth is more evident, and many fields will benefit from pre-seed/post-emergent burn-off to lessen competition to the crops. Dandelions and winter annuals are blooming. Herbicide applications will continue in winter wheat, and will begin in the most advanced spring wheat fields later this week. No reports of significant insect pressure in crops to date. Volunteer canola in winter wheat fields is seeing heavy flea beetle pressure. Traps for Manitoba Agriculture’s insect monitoring program are being installed.

 

Growth in perennial forages, pastures and hay fields has slowed with cooler temperatures and frost. Pasture growth isn’t sufficient to support cattle grazing at this point. Livestock water supply is adequate for most, although some dugouts are low.

 

 

Across the Eastern Region, 5 to 25 mm of precipitation fell in the last week. Temperatures were also cooler throughout the week. A mix of drizzle and intermittent showers starting Tuesday turning to snow flurries by Friday. Field work stopped as soil conditions became too wet. Some producers also stopped seeding soybeans due to cooler soil temperatures. Frost was reported over the weekend, with minimum temperatures of minus 4 degrees Celsius reported in areas. More frost-tolerant crops like winter and spring cereals and field peas that are emerged are not likely affected. Very few soybean fields have emerged, making frost damage unlikely. Some emerged canola will be closely monitored over the next week as a result of the weekend frosts.

 

By the end of last week, seeding progress in the Eastern Region was at 60% complete. Approximately 70% of the spring wheat and oats is seeded, along with 60% of canola acres. As well, 15% of soybeans, 65% of sunflowers, 90% of field peas and 75% of corn acres is planted. Producers are expected to continue making seeding progress this week as favourable weather is forecasted.

 

Earlier seeded cereals have emerged but with the cooler temperatures last week, crop emergence and growth did slow. Emergence of canola, soybeans and corn is expected with the warmer weather forecasted.

 

Across the region, the majority of hay fields are in good condition, and pasture land ranges from good to fair condition. Availability of livestock water is adequate. Livestock producers are moving cows to pasture and supplemental feeding. Pasture growth continues.