The first provincial crop report of the season on Tuesday showed Manitoba planting slightly ahead of last year and the five-year average pace.
An estimated 3% of the crop was in the ground across the province, 1 point ahead of last year and 2 points ahead of the average. A small number of spring wheat acres have been seeded in all the regions of the province, the report said, with oats also starting to go in the Interlake region. Some dry peas have also been seeded in the Central, Eastern, and Interlake regions.
Winter wheat and fall rye survival looks good at this point, but winterkill assessments will need to be conducted after a longer period of warm conditions, the report added.
No oilseeds have yet been planted in the province.
Soil moisture conditions are good in the Northwest and Interlake areas where snow was more plentiful this winter. On the other hand, soil moisture levels are a concern in Eastern and Southern regions of the province where modest snow cover over the winter months contributed to lower spring run-off levels.
Southwest:
Moisture received in the past seven days was quickly absorbed into the soil without significant run-off. Modest flows were observed in the Pipestone Creek, and the Souris River is experiencing average flows. Seeding has started west of Brandon and near Rapid City, however low-lying areas are still quite wet. Some pre-banding may take place this week, and sprayers are being prepped for burn-off application. Winter cereal survival may be spotty, as there are only a few fields in the area. Topdressing is likely to occur anytime now through the end of next month for winter cereals.
Northwest:
Field conditions remain saturated in the Roblin and Dauphin area as they received precipitation mid-week. Conditions have improved in the Swan Valley region. Field prep operations have begun, and there has been a small amount of spring wheat seeding in the Swan Valley area. Drier conditions are needed this week for other areas to begin seeding. Fall rye and winter cereals are in good condition.
Central:
Rainfall this week halted most seeding and field operations across the province. The rains largely infiltrated the soil with minimal runoff providing necessary moisture for cash crop establishment and pasture growth. Limited seeding has occurred, with a small number of spring wheat and pea acres being seeded, particularly in lighter soil regions. Some liquid fertilizer and manure applications have also taken place. Producers are actively preparing seeding and other field equipment to move quickly once conditions improve. Weed emergence has begun, including volunteer canola and flixweed.
Eastern:
Limited seeding has occurred in the region. A few fields of wheat and some pea acres are in the ground. Limited manure applications have begun on drier fields. Producers have been busy getting their seeding equipment ready so they can plant as soon as conditions allow. Reports of some early liquid fertilizer (28-0-0) applications have also been received. Winter cereal fertilizer applications are nearing completion in the region. Cropping plans are being shifted slightly this year as a function of profitability. Canola acres are projected to be down while corn and wheat acres will increase. For some farms this year sunflowers will make a return to the rotation.
Interlake:
A small amount of seeding has begun in the Interlake due to moist soil conditions and intermittent rainfall over the past week. The crops that are being seeded include spring wheat, oats, and some peas. Fall rye and winter wheat are in good condition with no concerns to report. Fall rye has started to green up with no visible winterkill so far. Very limited field operations, including fertilization and tillage, are ongoing in the Interlake region. Grass seed is being broadcast in certain areas. Fall rye urea fertilizer will begin in the coming days. Fertilization is underway in Timothy established seed fields in some parts of the region.
