Manitoba producers made just minor seeding advances this past week, although overall progress remains ahead of last year and the five-year average.
The weekly provincial crop report pegged seeding at 8% complete as of Tuesday, up 5 points from a week earlier and ahead of 4% last year and 6% on average.
Almost half the spring wheat acres in the Central and Interlake regions have been seeded, the report said, with other regions progressing quickly. Seeding of oats and barley has begun in the Southwest, Central, Eastern, and Interlake regions.
Canola planting has started in the Central region. Sunflowers have also started to be seeded in the Central and Interlake regions. Field peas are being seeded in all regions, while soybean crops are being planted in the Central, Eastern, and Interlake regions.
Manitoba received variable amounts of precipitation over the past four days, ranging from 0 mm to 12.7 mm with most regions receiving less than 0.5 mm.
Southwest:
Good weather over the past week has given producers an opportunity to accelerate their seeding operations. Most of the seeding activity has occurred in the southern parts of the region, although there has been some in northern areas including Rivers, Oak River, and Rapid City. Overall, seedbed conditions are good, and soil moisture is at an optimal level across most of the region. Winter wheat and fall rye are coming out of dormancy and are looking healthy.
Northwest:
Spring operations are underway, with seeding having a good start in most areas of the Northwest region. Spring wheat seeding has begun across most of the region, apart from The Pas, which is anticipated to begin this week. Wildfires in The Pas are a concern. Many other locations across the region are high risk and have a burn ban in place. Fall rye and winter wheat continue to look good.
Central:
Favourable weather over the past week has allowed significant progress in field operations across the Central Region. These conditions, especially the high winds over the weekend, have helped many fields dry sufficiently to support machinery and early-season activities. Most producers have begun some form of field operations, while a small number are still completing final equipment checks, calibration, and maintenance. Substantial progress has been made in the seeding of cereals and peas, with the earliest established pea and cereal crops emerging. A few producers have also started seeding canola, sunflowers, soybean and corn, encouraged by warm soil temperatures and a favourable forecast. Winter cereal survival is generally good, with most producers reporting 80 to 90 percent survival.
Eastern:
Fields were dry enough for general manure/fertilizer applications and seeding this past week. Spring wheat seeding has moved forward quickly, with other crops including oats, barley, and corn also being planted. Canola and sunflower acres will be next , with producers factoring in warm soil temperatures in the top inch and flea beetle control efficacy. A few soybean acres have been planted but it is expected that planting will become more general this week as growers finish up their cereal crops. The field pea acres are close to being completed, with the earliest planted fields beginning to emerge.
Interlake:
Seeding across the Interlake region is well underway particularly in the South with the recent weather conditions. The North Interlake region has just begun seeding spring cereals. Overall, seeding of spring cereals is the most advanced across the region, with soybeans, peas, canola, and silage corn to be seeded next. The soil temperature at 2” depth was over 7 degrees with good soil moisture, so seeding will most likely advance quickly.
