Heavy Rain for Parts of Manitoba; Others Still Too Dry

Parts of Manitoba received heavy rainfall this past week, but a continued lack of moisture in other areas is increasing crop stress, according to the latest weekly provincial crop report. 

The most notable rain fell across the southern portions of the Central Region, with the heaviest amounts along the US border.  Windygates received 72.4 mm, Altona 66.6 mm, and Winkler 48.6 mm. However, locations north of Carman typically received less than 10 mm with additional rainfall needed. While most fields in these regions appear healthy, signs of stress are beginning to emerge, the report said. 

Meanwhile, the Interlake Region saw only trace amounts or no rainfall this past week. Here too, fields are beginning to show signs of stress and need rain very soon to “achieve near normal yield potential,” the report said.  

Significant portions of the Eastern, Northwest and Interlake regions have received below 50% of normal rainfall between May 1 and July 6, while most of the Central and Southwest regions have accumulated less than 70% of the 30-year average of precipitation. Only a few locations have accumulated more than 80% of the 30-year average since May 1. 

Spring wheat quality in the province is mostly rated as good, with 10% of the crop being reported as fair.