Crops are developing quickly across Manitoba, with much of the province seeing at least some precipitation this past week.
However, rainfall continues to be highly variable, with some areas still in need of moisture and others being hit with heavy downpours and hail. Some areas south of Brandon received 125 mm of rain in one hour from a storm early last week, which resulted in standing water in the fields, the report said, adding that producers in Newton, Oakville, and Elm Creek reported large hail, some larger than golf balls.
On the other hand, the report said that while crops in the Eastern Region remain in good condition overall, soil moisture reserves are not adequate to maintain crop conditions “unless recharged relatively soon.”
In terms of crop development, most spring cereal fields in the province range from heading/anthesis to the early milk stage, although some very late seeded crops are still in five leaf stage. Canola ranges from early bolting to full bloom, and field pea crops continued to flower last week and move into the R3 (flat pod) growth stage.
Approximately 75% of beef producers have begun haying, however cutting was largely put on hold this past week in response to the rains. Dugout levels are quite variable: all are declining, and some are dry, the report said, noting water quality is a concern in low dugouts.
Southwest:
A major storm hit Brandon and areas to the south early in the week. Some areas south of Brandon received 125 mm of rain in one hour, which resulted in standing water in the fields. This storm was not very widespread but caused some damage to the crops in the area. Pea size hail also reported in that area. Hot and dry weather during last week in most of southwest region. All other areas of the region are still very dry and are in need of good precipitation soon.
Most spring cereals are heading in both wheat and barley. Hot dry conditions have affected the crop and rainfall is needed within the next week as tillers are starting to show stress in some areas. Fungicides are being applied but as conditions remain dry, producers are starting to reduce applications. Premature heading due to dry conditions are visible in some areas as height of the plants are shorter than normal. Peas are flowering and early seeded peas are in pod fill stage. Crop looks to be average to above average. Very little disease showing up so far. Canola ranges from early bolting to full bloom.
Northwest:
Another week of high temperatures had crops advancing quickly. Areas that are dry and short on precipitation are starting to show the effects. Several localized storms came through the region again with damaging hail in the Gilbert Plains area and Fork River area. The highest accumulated rainfall for the week was Ingles with 57 mm. Spring wheat continued to advance and is now flowering or just finshed flowering. Many fungicide treatments are complete as stages were reached.
Canola is at various stages. While the most advanced canola is starting to pod, the latest seeded canola is quite behind at rosette stage. Adequate moisture would help significantly.
Central:
Thunderstorms moved through the Central region this past week. Producers who received these thunderstorms have been grateful for the moisture. However, for a number of producers these storms brought hail. Producers in Newton, Oakville, and Elm Creek reported large hail, some larger than golf balls. Fields north of St. Claude, around Roland, and northwest of Winkler also received hail this past week.
Crops vary greatly depending on planting date and how much rainfall they have received, with some areas incredibly variable and patchy. Most cereals are now entering heading or anthesis, with a smaller number at the soft milk stage. Corn growth continues to progress quickly, and varies greatly depending on soil moisture and region. The earliest corn is around V9. Many corn fields are chest high or even higher. Winter cereals are quickly approaching maturity, with winter wheat at the soft dough stage and fall rye at the hard dough stage. There is some concern that spring applied nitrogen was not accessed by crop because of lack of rain. Most canola is between the bolting to 50% flowering stage.
Eastern:
Accumulated rainfall over the reporting period ranged from trace amounts to more than 20 mm but was highly localized within and across districts. Day and night time temperatures were seasonably warm but gradually rose over to above normal over the weekend. Most producers remained focused on fungicide and insecticide applications, continued field scouting and watching the weather forecast. While some areas did receive significant amounts of rainfall, many growers would welcome rain over the coming days and weeks even if it slowed down their field activities. While crops remain in good conditions overall, soil moisture reserves are not adequate to maintain crop condition unless recharged relatively soon.
Overall, cereal crops remain in good condition except for some of the later seeded fields that struggled with uneven emergence and remain thin and stagey. Corn growth stage ranged from V7 to the V9 leaf stage for the earliest seeded fields. The crop remains in good to excellent condition and demonstrated rapid growth in the warm weather. Waist and even chest high fields were easily found before the fourth of July.
Interlake:
Crops are generally looking good with the past week’s showers. High temperatures and good moisture have allowed for fast crop growth. Rainfall continues to be variable with scattered thundershowers in the Interlake region. Northern areas receiving the highest amounts of 30 to 40 mm include Poplarfield, Moosehorn and Fisher. Scattered showers for much of the region were in the 10 to 20 mm range in most part of the South Interlake region. Much of the region currently reports good soil moisture levels, although some areas remain very dry, and a few isolated areas that need time to dry up after recent heavy rains.
Spring wheat and barley are fully headed and flowering and the cooler weather forecast for this week will certainly help the crop to fill. Oats fields are beginning to see fully emerged panicles. Canola stands in the region are variable with some fields looking good with even stands. Others are thin and stagey due to a number of earlier stresses including flea beetle damage and poor germination in dry conditions
