Above normal temperatures have lead to good growing conditions. Much of the region received rain over the weekend, with most of the rain falling south of Highway 1. Areas south of Highway 1 received 15 to 35 mm while areas north of Hamiota to Riding Mountain National Park received 2 to 5 mm. Miniota, Russell, Rossburn, Shoal Lake, Erickson, and Rapid City are in need of rain and crops are struggling in areas which did not receive enough moisture. There are reports of wind damage to infrastructure and trees in the Killarney area. Wind speeds reached 146 km per hour in some areas.
Seeding is 95 to 100% complete in most of the region.
Weather conditions have been favourable for post emergent herbicide application. 40 to 50% of weed control measures have been completed in the region.
Winter cereals have entered the reproductive stage with most of the fall rye and 50 to 60% of winter wheat heading. Spring wheat fields are doing well, and most have had herbicides applied.
Most early seeded canola is at 3 to 4 leaf or rosette stage. Some early seeded canola has been sprayed for flea beetle control. Late seeded fields will benefit from the recent rain as most seeding was done in dry seedbed conditions. Soybean crops are responding well to the warm weather and will benefit from the timely moisture. Emergence is even in the majority of fields. Most crops are at 1 to 2 trifoliate stage and some had their first application of herbicide.
The majority of sunflower crops are at the four leaf stage. There are reports of cutworm activity in sunflowers. Corn is at the 1 to 3 leaf stage.
Bertha army worm traps are up in the region and Diamond back moth counts continue to be relatively low.
Recent rainfall in the southwest will help pastures and hay land. Some dairy producers in the Virden and Miniota areas have taken the first cut of alfalfa. Yields are reported to be below average. Most cattle are on pasture.