The soybean crop in southern Manitoba seems to have escaped any major frost damage so far.
Temperatures dropped below zero in some areas on Saturday morning. Freezing temperatures were also experienced in local areas on September 15th and 16th.
Dennis Lange, farm production advisor with Manitoba Agriculture, said the frost on Saturday caused minor damage to upper leaves on some plants in the Red River Valley.
"I don't think we've seen anything that was killing at this point, so overall, we've dodged a bullet again here," he said on Monday.
He noted it appeared the lowest temperatures occurred in the valley, where the crop was also the most advanced.
"I think it was far enough along that the type of frost we got will not affect the crop too much," explained Lange.
Soybeans are further behind on the western side of the province.
"Some areas in the west still need five to ten days of frost-free to finish these beans off properly," he said.
After the warm summer and late fall in 2012, Lange said the frost might serve as an eye-opener for producers on the north and west fringes of the soybean growing area.
"It kind of gives growers some pause for thought going into next year in some of the non-traditional areas. This year, with it being maybe a bit cooler than other years and more moisture than what we've had, soybeans in the west are taking a little bit longer to mature than they did in 2012 when it was hot and dry," explained Lange. "You really have to keep in mind when you're planning your rotation that the varieties that you're growing are well-suited for your region. This gives growers a good idea of how late a crop we are dealing with."
Soybean harvest is underway in the Red River Valley. Lange said early yield reports were in the 35 to 40 bushel per acre range.
Source: PortageOnline