The Manitoba harvest made just modest progress this past week, inching closer to the finish line.
The weekly crop on Tuesday pegged the overall harvest in the province at 86% complete, up a relatively minor 7 points from a week earlier amid continued wet field conditions in some areas.
Regional harvest progress ranged from 77% complete in the Northwest to 97% in the Central region. The Southwest made the largest weekly gain, advancing 9 points to 78%, followed by the Northwest at 77%, up 5 points. The Central region reached 97%, up from 92%, while the Eastern region advanced just 3 points to 90%. The Interlake climbed six points to 87%.
In terms of individual crops, the canola harvest advanced 6 points to 92% complete, while the soybean harvest jumped 19 points to reach 80% complete.
Spring wheat harvest was 98% complete, up 1 point, while barley and oats were both 99% harvested, advancing 2 points each. Winter wheat and fall rye harvests were complete, while field peas were essentially finished at 99%.
Grain corn harvest reached 19% complete, up from 12% the previous week, while silage corn advanced 8 points to 74%.
Rain early in the reporting period brought 10 to 30 mm to much of southern Manitoba, although large areas of the Interlake received less than 5 mm. Cartwright recorded the highest precipitation at 32.4 mm.
Seasonal precipitation remains above normal across much of the Northwest, Southwest and Interlake regions, with some areas receiving more than 120% of normal rainfall since May 1.
Spring cereal yields have generally been average, although later-harvested fields have experienced quality deterioration from sprouting and weathering. Canola yields are mostly below average to average, with lodging, pod shattering and regrowth creating challenges. Soybean yields, meanwhile, have generally ranged from average to above average.
Winter cereals are establishing well following recent moisture, while producers continue fall tillage, fertilizer applications and other fieldwork as conditions permit.
Southwest
Cereals: Spring wheat harvest advanced to 98% complete from 95% the previous week, while barley and oats reached 100%. Spring wheat yields have held up, but quality continues to decline, with remaining fields likely to produce feed-grade grain. Recently harvested barley has also been downgraded because of sprouting, discolouration and low test weights.
Canola: Harvest climbed 10 points to 85% complete from 75% a week earlier. Yields are generally average and quality remains good, but disease, lodging and wet field conditions continue to complicate harvesting.
Field conditions: Rain, cool evenings and wet mornings delayed crop drying, although strong winds helped dry standing crops. Producers resumed harvesting over the weekend, while fall fertilizer applications and other fieldwork continued when conditions allowed.
Northwest
Cereals: Spring wheat harvest advanced five points to 95% complete, while barley and oats also reached 95%, up from 90% each. Later-harvested spring wheat has produced disappointing yields of 25 to 35 bushels per acre in some areas.
Soybeans: The regional narrative estimated soybean harvest at approximately 80% complete, although the provincial table indicated 60%, down from 65% the previous week. Reported yields have ranged from 35 to 45 bushels per acre.
Field peas and winter cereals: Field pea harvest is complete, with yields ranging from below average to average. Winter wheat and fall rye harvests are also finished, and newly seeded winter cereals are in good condition.
Weather and fieldwork: Mixed weather interrupted harvest, with McCreary receiving 14.6 mm of precipitation. Fall fertilizer and anhydrous ammonia applications continued, although some wet patches and areas with delayed crop development still require attention.
Central
Cereals: Spring cereal harvest is complete, with generally average yields. However, pre-harvest sprouting, low falling numbers and lodging have caused quality losses, particularly around Portage la Prairie and western parts of the region. Some wheat and barley have been downgraded to feed grades.
Canola: Harvest reached 99% complete, up from 97%. Yields have generally been lower than in recent years, while sprouting, green seed and pod shattering have reduced quality. Strong winds have caused additional seed losses in some fields.
Soybeans and edible beans: Soybean harvest advanced 15 points to 95% complete from 80% a week earlier, with yields ranging from average to slightly above average. Edible bean harvest is essentially complete at 99%, with generally average yields and good quality.
Corn and sunflowers: Grain corn harvest doubled to 40% complete from 25%, with above-average yields reported. Silage corn harvest is complete, while sunflower harvest continues with above-average yields despite sclerotinia head and stem rot.
Fieldwork and winter crops: Fall tillage, ditching and fertilizer applications are well underway. Newly established winter wheat, fall rye and cover crops are in excellent condition following beneficial autumn moisture.
Eastern
Cereals: Spring wheat, barley and oats are all 99% harvested, unchanged from the previous week. Yields have generally been average at best, with areas affected by excess moisture earlier in the growing season reporting reduced production.
Canola: Harvest remains at approximately 95% complete, down from the previous report's 99% estimate. Many farms have finished, with yields generally below average to average due to early-season moisture stress and heat during flowering.
Corn and sunflowers: Grain corn harvest jumped to 25% complete from just 5% a week earlier. Early corn yields are above the 10-year average, with test weights of 52 to 53 pounds per bushel. Sunflower harvest is approximately 25% complete, with above-average yields.
Weather and fieldwork: Rainfall ranged from 8.9 to 19.2 mm, followed by favourable drying conditions. Producers focused heavily on corn harvesting, while fall cultivation, drainage work and fertilizer applications continued.
Interlake
Cereals and field peas: Winter wheat, fall rye, spring wheat, barley, oats and field peas are fully harvested. Cereal yields have generally been average to slightly above average, although later-harvested fields experienced some quality deterioration from sprouting and weathering.
Canola: Harvest advanced 10 points to 95% complete from 85% the previous week. Yields have ranged from below average to above average, depending on local conditions. Lodging, regrowth and pod shattering remain concerns.
Corn and other crops: Grain corn harvest advanced to 50% complete from 35%, with slightly above-average to above-average yields. Silage corn harvest reached 95%, up from 85%. Flax and sunflower harvests are also progressing, with generally favourable yields.
Weather and fieldwork: Precipitation ranged from trace amounts to 16.5 mm, with the highest accumulation near Selkirk. Harvest and fall fieldwork advanced under generally favourable conditions, although seasonal moisture remains above normal. No significant new disease or insect concerns were reported.
