Increased Heat Decreased Rain Advance Manitoba Crop Development, Moisture Reserves Optimal to Wet

Aug 05, 2024

Manitoba Agriculture reports reduced rain and higher temperatures over the past week have helped speed along crop development, especially for crops like soybeans, corn and dry beans. Manitoba Agriculture released its weekly crop report Tuesday.Dennis Lange, a pulse and soybean specialist with Manitoba Agriculture and editor of the provincial crop report, says in spite of warmer temperatures and reduced rain soil moisture is still optimal to wet.

Quote-Dennis Lange-Manitoba Agriculture:

This past week rainfall amounts ranged from just a trace to 51 millimetres and the big thing with the rainfall, there were just some isolated thunderstorms that dumped rain in different areas.Most of week was fairly dry and, as we move forward here, most of Manitoba right now at that 30-centimeter soil moisture depth is showing optimal to wet moisture conditions at surface depth, so we're good moisture wise right now.

When we look at accumulated growing degree days, most of Manitoba ranges from about 95 to 110 percent of the normal growing degree days.We're definitely starting to warm up a little bit, maybe not quite as warm as what it was last year by this time, but things are definitely starting to warm up and that's definitely been benefitting some of the longer season crops like soybeans and corn and dry beans.

They’ve really moved along in the last week or so.Where there is going to be some crop loss is in areas with excess moisture.They have been lost just because of standing water but the rest of the field typically looks pretty good.I think that's been the biggest thing right now.There's been no major other weather events that are widespread.Disease for the most part has been minimal so far this year and, even on the insect side of things, it's been fairly minimal so far this year. Things are looking good.

The hot weather that we're experiencing now always brings risk of thunderstorms so that's why we've been getting these thunderstorms but generally the crop looks pretty good and we look forward to seeing what's going to happen over the next few weeks.Lange acknowledges crops are a little behind what we've seen in past years but once we get some drier weather and heat, thi

Source : Farmscape.ca

Video: FLEECED! Sheep Shearer Hands Over Clippers!

It's sheep shearing day at Ewetopia Farms! ?? Our Dorset lambs and ewes are getting fleeced — and for the first time, our shearer hands over his clippers to a beginner. We finish shearing the last of our adult ewes and this year’s Dorset ewe lambs.

From moving the sheep between barns, loading them into chutes, and watching the wool come off, this is always one of the most satisfying days on the farm. But this video has a twist — we welcomed a new helper, Gian, who’s not only lending a hand but also learning how to shear! With guidance from our experienced shearer, he got a crash course in sheep shearing and even tried his hand at shearing a couple of lambs himself.

You’ll see firsthand how both teacher and student handled this unique challenge. Shearing is more than just removing wool — it’s about sheep health, comfort, and giving us a closer look at the flock. It’s always amazing to see the transformation from woolly sheep to freshly shorn ewes and lambs.