Less than 1% of this year’s Manitoba crop was seeded through the first week of May as farmers faced major wet weather-related delays, according to the first provincial crop report of the season on Tuesday.
Farmers are “extremely concerned” about seeding delays, leading some farmers to switch planned corn or soybean acres into canola and spring wheat, while planned field pea acres may see a decline as well, the report said. Typically, about 21% of the Manitoba crop would be in the ground by now.
Extremely wet and cold April conditions, with several Central region locations receiving over 500% of normal precipitation for the month, prevented soils from draining and drying ahead of planting. As a result, crop planting is delayed by at least two weeks behind ‘normal’ starting dates. Standing water is common in fields across Manitoba, although a few scattered fields were planted in the Brandon to Rivers area last weekend.
Multiple highway closures are ongoing due to flooding, also impacting movement of agricultural commodities and inputs, the report added.
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