Manitoba planting has jumped to about one-third complete, but things are drying out.
The latest weekly crop report pegged planting across the province at about 32% complete as of Tuesday, up from just 8% a week earlier. That is 3 points ahead of last year’s pace and 8 points ahead of the five-year average.
Precipitation was variable across Manitoba the past week, but with most regions receiving less than 3 mm. The Boissevain area received the largest amount at 12.5 mm. Accumulations in most areas of the province are far below normal - less than 50% - since May 1, the report said, noting that recent wildfires in northern Manitoba have significantly impacted areas around The Pas, causing ‘extensive damage’ to pastures and fence lines.
Spring wheat, oat, and barley planting is almost complete in the Southwest, Central, Eastern and Interlake regions, the report said, with corn planting seeing a major jump in the Central, Eastern, and Interlake regions. The earliest planted corn acres are expected to emerge next week, it added.
Canola seeding has just started. Sunflowers are over halfway seeded in most regions, and flax is halfway seeded in Central and Interlake regions.
Field pea planting is almost finished in all regions, with the Northwest sitting at 65% seeded. Soybean seeding is 25% complete across the province, while a few dry bean acres have been planted in the Central region.
Warm weather has grass growing across the regions and everything is greening up, the report said. Some producers have moved some cows to early spring pastures to get them out of wintering pens. Most are waiting longer for turnout if they can, due to dry conditions, and most are still supplementing.
Southwest:
Strong winds and high temperatures are rapidly drying out the topsoil. Smoky conditions persist across the region due to recent wildfires in the northern parts of the province. Winter wheat and fall rye are progressing well, benefitting from winter moisture and the warm growing conditions. Most fields are beginning to tiller.
Spring wheat seeding is approximately 60–65% complete. Early seeded wheat has emerged and is in the one to two leaf stage. Barley and oat seeding is about 40% complete, with only a few fields beginning to emerge. Corn seeding is estimated at 15–20% complete. Peas are about 75% seeded, and early seeded fields have already emerged. Soybean planting has begun in some areas and is approximately 5–10% complete. A few producers have also started planting canola, primarily in the southern portion of the region. However, dry conditions have led many to consider delaying seeding until rain arrives.
Northwest:
Spring seeding operations progressed quickly this past week. A mix of progress with spring wheat, field peas, soybeans and canola all being put in the ground. In general, the Swan Valley region is more advanced than the remainder of the region due to drier soil conditions this spring.
Hot, dry and windy conditions continue to dry out fields. Wildfires in The Pas are a concern. Many other locations across the region are at high risk and have fire bans in place.
Spring wheat seeding is most advanced in the Swan Valley region, and earliest seeded crops are emerging. Seeding is nicely progressing across the rest of the region including Dauphin/Ste. Rose, The Pas and Roblin. Overall progress across the region is approximately 50%. Field pea seeding is approximately 60-70% complete across the region. Earliest seeded fields are just starting to emerge. Soybean seeding is progressing quickly and is approximately 40% complete. Canola seeding has begun in some areas and is approximately 10-15% complete.
Central:
Dry, warm and windy weather conditions over the past week have allowed significant progress in field operations across the Central Region. High winds have made it challenging to carry out field operations, especially spraying.
Substantial progress has been made in the seeding of cereals, peas and corn, with the majority of these crops now seeded. Some of the early seeded cereals are at the one to two leaf stage. Producers have started seeding canola, potato, flax, sunflowers, soybean and edible beans, encouraged by warm soil temperatures. Winter wheat and fall rye are growing rapidly, and most producers have completed fertilizer applications on these winter cereals. Winter cereal survival is generally good, with most producers reporting 80 to 90 percent survival.
Eastern:
Strong winds did present some challenges to fertilizer applications as well as pre-emergence burn-off applications. Producers for the most part were able to carry out applications during the less windy parts of the day. Manure applications are on-going and will likely finish by the end of the week. With the rain forecast for the end of the week many growers will be pushing to get as many acres planted as possible. Seeding has progressed rapidly in the region. Wheat seeding is estimated at 90% complete, the remaining fields should go in this week. Other spring cereals like oats and barley are also estimated at 95% complete. Early seeded fields are at the 1-2 leaf stage with many fields emerging.
Corn planting is on-going with approximately 90% complete. Reports are that corn is already sprouting and with warmer temperatures, is expected to emerge this week. Canola planting got underway this past week. Canola seeding in the region is estimated at 25% complete. Sunflower planting also began this week with an estimate of 50% of the planned acres in the ground.
Interlake:
Soil moisture is depleting due to hot weather conditions. General seeding progress moved forward quickly this past week. Most producers are almost finished seeding everything except soybeans and canola.
Spring cereals including wheat, oats, and barley are about 80-90% complete. Spring cereals should be finished in the next week or two with good weather conditions. Winter wheat and fall rye look good and are well established. They are well rooted with good yield potential. Canola seeding started this week and is sitting at 25% complete. Sunflower seeding progress is at 90% complete in the St. Andrews area but 65% complete in the north. Soybean seeding progressed very well this past week and is estimated at 40% complete. So far, about 85-90% of pea seeding is complete. Grain corn seeding is at 80% complete for most growers in the south and 60% in the northern areas.
