Rain events continue to challenge Manitoba growers

Fall rye and winter wheat are at the soft dough stage with the most advanced fields ripening. Spring wheat ranges from flag to heading stage with fungicide application for fusarium head blight occurring. Spring wheat quality is rated mostly fair to good with about 10 per cent of the crop being reported as poor in the Northwest, Central, and Interlake regions

Field peas have reached the R1-R2 stage, with some fungicide application occurring for mycosphaerella blight. Field peas overall crop condition continues to suffer in some regions with the extended wet conditions. Yellowing in saturated field areas continues to be evident with wilting plants and ample evidence of root rot was found in these fields. Fungicide application has also begun on canola that has reached the appropriate stage. Most crops are recovering from excess moisture and stress conditions have been noted in many regions mostly in low lying areas of fields.

Cereals
Fall rye and winter wheat are at the soft dough stage with the most advanced fields ripening. Grain corn growth stage ranges from V6 to V8. Spring wheat is reported to be from flag to heading stage with fungicide application for fusarium head blight occurring. Spring wheat quality is rated mostly fair to good with about 10 per cent of the crop being reported as poor in the Northwest, Central, and Interlake regions.

Oilseeds 
Canola growth stage ranges from the rosette to flowering stage. With fungicide application for sclerotinia occurring. Sunflowers are at the V8 to V12 growth stage with R1 stage being reported. Flax crops ranged from growth stage 5 to 7.

Pulses and Soybeans 
Field peas have reached the R1-R2 stage, with some fungicide application occurring for mycosphaerella blight. Soybean growth stage ranges from second to fourth trifoliate with flowering being reported on earliest fields. Overall crop development is delayed with producers looking for warmer conditions to drive the crop forward. Iron deficiency chlorosis continues to show up in some fields. Dry beans are in third to fourth trifoliate stage.

Forages & Livestock
Forages
Rain events continue to make field access difficult and are not allowing for sufficient drying time of cut forages. Progress on first-cut harvest of hayfields is behind and producers are concerned about both the quantity and quality of harvested feed that will be available this winter. Producers have turned to bale wrapping to make silage bales as drying conditions have been difficult.

Putting up dry hay has been extremely challenging with the moisture received in most areas. Initial yields are reporting normal to above average yields if able to get dry hay up.

Grasses have headed out except for big blue stem and little blue stem grasses. The hay crop is exceptionally good, although there’s hope for a break in the rains during the cut.

Alfalfa fields are in mid to late bloom and forage with plentiful yield; forage quality is being compromised due to accessibility issues and will continue to decline as plants mature.

Livestock
Pastures are looking good, with lots of grass available for grazing. Bulls have been placed with cows. Areas in the Northwest region are reporting pastures and hayfields that are heavily saturated with ongoing rains.

Increased insect pressure and fly control, potential for foot rot, and pinkeye are the main animal health issues. Cattle on pasture are in good condition with the increased chance of disease due to insect pressures.

Dugouts and irrigation ponds are mostly recharged, with many rivers full, and some ditches with standing water in them.