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Manitoba Agriculture Crop Report

Weekly Provincial Summary 
  • Some rainfall received in most regions but at very low levels, only delaying seeding operations by a few hours to a day.
     
  • All regions report good seeding progress made during the week with warmer temperatures and improving seedbed conditions. Approximately 50 to 60% of seeding is done in Manitoba with the most progress made in Central region and the least in the North West and South West regions.
     
  • Many areas that had high water tables now have access to more and more fields as top soils are drying down. Light textured soils have dried up to the point that a rain would be welcome to assist with germination. Most cereals are planted, with the earliest fields emerging nicely. Good progress made with canola. Soybean planting is well underway and is expected to advance rapidly.
     
  • Many winter wheat fields are winter damaged in the Eastern and Interlake regions requiring re-seeding to spring crops.
     
  • Hay and pastures are growing slowly. Livestock water availability is considered good.
Southwest Region 
 
Ideal soil moisture conditions in the majority of the Southwest region. There were some showers early in the week but warm weather and high winds assisted in the dry down process. The region experienced near normal temperatures and cold nights with some frost last week. Good weather continued to improve soil surface conditions allowing field machinery access for seeding operations. Topsoil moisture conditions have changed to the point of being too dry for seed germination in lighter soil types. There are reports of soil blowing in lighter textured soils during the high winds on the weekend. Some precipitation would be beneficial to firm the soil surface and prevent soil erosion from wind.
 
The soil temperatures range between 12 to 15°C at 5 cm and 10 to 14°C at 20 cm.
 
Good seeding progress was accomplished last week. Overall seeding is approximately 30 to 35% complete. About 40 to 50% of the spring wheat and field peas are planted and about 20 to 30% of the canola is in the ground. Some flax and corn is also planted, but the percentage done is low. Approximately 10 to 15% of the soybean acres are planted. Barley and oats are close to 40 to 45% planted. A few sunflower acres are also in the ground.
 
Early seeded cereals are emerging slowly due to moderate soil temperatures and colder nights.
 
Winter wheat recovery is looking good in most areas with little to no concerns at this time. Most crop is at two to three leaf stage with weed control measures likely to start being applied at the end of this week. There are reports of some water stressed fields in the southwest corner.
 
Diamond back moth traps are set up across the region and counts are coming in low in the Southwest at this time.
 
Conditions are good for weed growth and several producers are applying a burn-off treatment before or right after seeding.
 
Forages continue to advance with the warmer weather. Alfalfa is approximately 15 cm tall and the grasses are in the two to three leaf stage. Water levels have dropped on flooded pastures and hay lands. Dugouts are full.
 
Northwest Region
 
Seeding progressed at a good pace in the Northwest Region, where conditions allowed. Soil moisture is rated as adequate in most parts of the region. There are low areas in some fields and some areas that have excessive moisture and wet fields. Top soil temperatures range between 5 to 10°C. There were rain showers throughout the region with amounts ranging from a high of 30 mm in The Pas, 13 mm in Swan River and Ste. Rose areas and trace amounts in the Roblin area. Temperatures remain cool with few days reaching a high of over 20°Celsius and overnight temperatures dipping down below zero Celsius.
 
There is continued progress on field operations including some harrowing, fertilizer applications, pre-seed herbicide applications, seeding of wheat, silage corn planting and some canola also going in the ground. Overall, seeding progress in the Northwest Region is estimated to be less than 40% complete.
 
Approximately 50 to 70% of the spring wheat crop is seeded in the Roblin and Swan River areas while seeding of peas is nearing completion. Canola seeding is underway with a start to soybean seeding however, many producers are delaying seeding soybeans and canola until after the middle of the month when soil moisture improves and risk of frost is reduced.
 
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 level is low.
 
Forage growth remains slow across the region although this week's forecasted warmer temperatures should accelerate growth. Producers continue to monitor perennial stands for winterkill with some brown root rot showing up.
 
Central Region
 
Near normal temperatures with drying winds allowed for improved seedbed conditions. Daytime highs are in the mid twenties, with overnight temperatures above freezing on most days. Daily air temperature averages moved into the 10 to 12°C range and soils are warming. Seeding continues, with significant progress made in much of the region. Most areas saw around 10 mm rain early in the week; areas in the northwest received 20 to 25 mm, and an isolated area in Manitou received 25 to 30 mm.
 
Because of last fall’s wet conditions, many fields required heavy harrowing or cultivation prior to seeding. More than usual spring fertilizer is being applied, due to few acres being done last fall. Fall cultivation wasn’t possible, and in many cases, rutted fields needed to be prepared prior to seeding. The wettest areas have seen more than one harrow pass to improve seedbed conditions. Areas with high water tables were delayed with field operations but are now making good progress with all but the lowest spots being seeded. Some have seeded shallow into dry topsoil, yet extremely wet conditions remain below the soil surface. Some are hoping for rain to aid seed germination and even out machinery tracks. Lighter textured soils are now dry, and need rain for the crop to germinate.
 
Seeding overall ranges from 40 to 95% complete, with progress most advanced in eastern and southern parts of the region. Progress is less advanced in areas to the north and west. A significant number of producers have wrapped up seeding operations.
 
The majority of cereals are in. Most fields are germinating to one leaf, with the most advanced wheat in the two leaf stage.
 
Canola acres range from 30 to 95% complete, with progress most advanced in areas to the east and south. A few flea beetles, both striped and crucifer types have been spotted during warmer days, but no significant feeding evidence on volunteer canola to date. Canola is germinating to as far as the cotyledon stage.
 
The majority of field pea acres are seeded. Corn continues to go in, ranging from 60 to 100% complete, and sunflowers and flax range from 40 to 60% done. Soybean acres range from 20 to 80% complete, with the south and eastern parts of the region most advanced. Seed germination continues, and a few lighter textured fields report emergence.
 
Potato planting continues. Edible bean planting has begun, with the majority of acres expected to go in after the long weekend.
 
Winterkill is a concern in some winter wheat and perennial ryegrass fields, ranging from minimal in the west and northwest, to 30 to 80 % in eastern areas. Re-seeding has occurred where damage was considered too severe. Hybrid fall rye has generally fared better than winter wheat. Fields with good survival are growing and tillering well.
 
Higher than normal level of winter annual and annual weeds are noted, including chickweed, shepherds purse and volunteer canola, along with perennial weeds like dandelion, Canada thistle and foxtail barley. Annual weeds including wild oats, smartweed and wild buckwheat are emerging to two leaf stage. Post-seed and pre-emergent herbicide applications are a challenge due to windy conditions.
 
Fertilizer applications are being done in alfalfa/hay fields that are dry enough for field machinery to operate on.
 
Pasture conditions are rated as fair; but range from poor to good. Excess moisture is a concern for some pasture and forages with a small percentage needing a good rain. Forage growth in pasture and hay fields progressed well last week with the warmer temperatures and adequate moisture. Pasture growth is not yet adequate to turn cattle out. Livestock water supply is considered adequate.
 
Eastern Region
 
Precipitation across the region this past week was very low with only 0 to 1.2 mm received. Soil temperatures at 5 cm are between 7.5°C and 12°C and trending higher. By the weekend there were no soil temperature limitations for seeding any crop type. Soil moisture conditions on cropland across the region are rated as adequate. Soil moisture conditions of hay and pasture land are rated at 10% surplus, 80% adequate to 10% short.
 
Now that winter wheat field assessments are complete it is determined that almost none of the crop has survived. Some producers are trying to keep enough field area together for seed for next year. Fields are being terminated and reseeded into spring wheat, canola or soybeans.
 
The weather last week was very favourable for field drying and field operations. There was a lot of seeding progress done with virtually no rainfall. Forecast of rain this week is motivating growers to put in as many acres in as possible while conditions allow. The majority of producers could be wrapping up seeding operations by the end of the upcoming week if the weather holds.
 
Across the region, it is estimated that 80% of spring seeding is completed. Spring wheat, other cereals and corn are almost done being seeded and are beginning to emerge. The remaining acres are expected to go in this week.
 
nting of soybean and sunflowers are underway and are expected to be near completion by the end of the week into next week. Producers are expected to continue making rapid seeding progress if favourable weather continues.nting of soybean and sunflowers are underway and are expected to be near completion by the end of the week into next week. Producers are expected to continue making rapid seeding progress if favourable weather continues.
 
Producers are starting to move livestock to pasture as some pastures are in the four leaf stage and 15 cm tall. Fertilizing of hay and pastures continues as producers can operate machinery on those fields. Some producers are saying that some of their fields are dry and are hoping for rain soon. On average across the region the majority of hay and pasture lands are rated in good to fair condition. Reports have been received of hay stands having suffered winter damage in Northern parts of the region. Some producers are terminating stands and replanting. Availability of livestock water is rated as adequate.
 
Interlake Region
 
Rainfall in the Interlake region ranged from 4 mm at Selkirk to 17 mm at Narcisse in the last week delaying seeding and field work. In the south Interlake, seeding is approximately 80% completed with 90% of the spring cereals, 70% of the canola, 65% of the soybeans, and 60% of the corn seeded. Some spring cereals have emerged on higher ground while there is delayed emergence on lower, wetter, colder soils.
 
In the north Interlake seeding is approximately 30% complete, with 40% of the spring cereals in, 15% of the canola, 5% of the soybeans and 75% of the peas seeded.
 
Soil temperatures at 5 cm depth ranged this past week from 3 to 18°C, with the warmest soils at Selkirk which has also had the least amount of rain since May 1.
 
The majority of winter wheat fields are being terminated in the Interlake and re-seeded to spring crops. Fall rye has fared better with fields being patchy and 10 to 15% dead areas; however most of these fields have not yet been taken out of production.
 
Native and tame pastures are providing very little feed from new growth so far this spring. It is considered best to delay putting cattle on pastures for a couple more weeks. Grazing other than stockpiled grass would hinder forage production going forward. There is adequate water available for livestock consumption.
 
Rains this past week have most hayfields and pastures at or near field capacity for soil moisture. Warmer clearer weather and some drying winds would be welcome.
 
Alfalfa hay and alfalfa seed fields have varying degrees of winterkill. Some of the worst damaged fields will likely be terminated. Evaluations are ongoing.
 
Source : Manitoba Agriculture

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The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

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In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.