Amid improving weather conditions, Manitoba farmers made substantial harvest progress during the past week.
Tuesday’s weekly crop report showed the provincewide harvest at 65% complete as of Tuesday, up 14 percentage points from a week earlier.
Progress was strongest in the Southwest and Northwest, where regional completion advanced 18 points to 50% and 58%, respectively. The Central region remained furthest ahead at 83% complete, up from 71%, while the Eastern region reached 72% from 66% and the Interlake climbed to 66% from 59%.
Canola and soybeans accounted for some of the largest gains. Provincial canola harvest reached 74% done, up 17 points from the previous week, while soybean harvest surged to 31% from just 5%. Spring wheat advanced to 86% from 77%, barley to 91% from 81% and oats to 88% from 72%. Field pea harvest is now complete.
Drier conditions helped producers return to fields in many areas, although rainfall remained variable. Southern portions of the Eastern and Central regions received 5 to 30 mm, with Gardenton recording the provincial high of 32.9 mm. The Interlake and Northwest received less than 1 mm in most areas.
Crop quality remains a concern in later-harvested fields. Sprouting and weathering have downgraded some cereals, while canola producers have reported lodging, sprouting, regrowth, pod shatter and pod drop. Early soybean yields have generally been average to slightly above average.
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