Manitoba Rainfall Remains Highly Variable

Hit-and-miss rainfall continued across Manitoba this past week, with some areas absolutely deluged and others were left wanting. 

The provincial crop report Tuesday said that although rain was received in most regions, the amounts varied from just 1.7 mm to as much as 153 mm. In particular, storms hit part of the Southwest and Interlake regions, bringing 134 mm of rain to Fisherton in one day. 

Western areas of the province near San Clara and Deloraine, have so far received more 130% of normal precipitation this season, while Fisherton in the Interlake has received more than 150% of normal precipitation since May 1. On the other hand, much of the Central and Interlake regions are below 50% normal precipitation compared to the 30-year average.  

Crops have improved in those areas that did receive significant moisture, the report said, with crop development also advancing rapidly. Corn ranges from V6 to V8 leaf stage for the earliest seeded fields. Canola ranges from two to four leaf stage on late seeded and re-seeded fields to full flower on the earliest seeded fields. Most canola fields range from the early bolting to flowering stage. In lower rainfall areas, however, growers remain concerned about uneven and stagey canola stands which are proving difficult to manage in terms of herbicide and fungicide timing.