Manitoba Crops Holding Up Amid Wet Conditions 

Manitoba crops remain in generally good condition, even as isolated thunderstorms brought hail, strong winds, intense rain to portions of the province this past week. 

According to Tuesday’s weekly crop report, weekly rainfall totals ranged from just 2 mm to more than 123 mm, with the heaviest amounts reported near San Clara, Roblin, Waskada, Minnedosa, Manitou and the southern Interlake. Parts of the Northwest have now received more than 150% of normal precipitation since May 1, while the Stonewall area is approaching 250% of normal. 

Even so, winter wheat and fall rye are flowering and showing strong yield potential, the report said, while spring cereals range from tillering to the flag-leaf stage. Canola development varies widely from the two-leaf stage to early flowering, and soybeans are mostly between the first and fourth trifoliate stages. 

Excess moisture remains the main concern, particularly in the Northwest, Interlake and low-lying parts of the Southwest. Standing water, uneven crop growth, yellowing and nutrient deficiencies are being reported in saturated fields. However, crops on better-drained land are progressing normally, helped by brief periods of warmer weather. 

Herbicide applications are largely complete in many regions, shifting producers’ attention toward fungicide decisions, cereal diseases, sclerotinia risk and insect monitoring. Cabbage seedpod weevils have been reported in several canola-growing areas, while diamondback moth and bertha armyworm populations remain low. 

Southwest 

• Another week of rain, thunderstorms and hail affected the region, along with a confirmed tornado near Rossburn. 

• A few sunny days with temperatures in the upper 20s helped crops advance, but excess moisture is worsening in low-lying fields. 

• The Assiniboine River has overflowed into nearby cropland and forage fields, causing localized damage. 

• Winter wheat and fall rye are heading, while spring wheat ranges from tillering to stem elongation, with some early fields beginning to head. 

• Spring wheat is rated 70% good, while barley and oats are also generally in good condition. 

• Canola ranges from the two-leaf stage to pre-bolting, peas are nearing flowering and soybeans are at the V3 to V5 stages, with moisture stress evident in wetter areas. 

Northwest 

• Frequent showers continued to add stress to already saturated fields, particularly in western areas of the region. 

• San Clara received 123.4 mm during the week, including 80.9 mm in one 24-hour period, lifting seasonal precipitation to 224% of normal. 

• Standing water remains widespread, and wet fields have limited drying and left ruts where spraying equipment was able to operate. 

• Winter wheat and fall rye are mostly headed, with some fall rye beginning to flower. 

• Spring cereals range from the two-leaf to flag-leaf stages, reflecting the region’s prolonged planting period. 

• Canola ranges from two to four leaves to early flowering, while soybeans are at the first to third trifoliate stages and showing some iron deficiency chlorosis. 

Central 

• Localized rainfall generally ranged from 20 to 50 mm, although most producers have completed in-crop herbicide applications. 

• Winter wheat and fall rye are flowering and showing strong yield potential, with many fungicide applications already complete. 

• Spring cereals are mainly between tillering and stem elongation, while the earliest fields have reached the flag-leaf stage. 

• Corn is at the V5 to V6 stages and generally looks good, although excess moisture has caused uneven growth and nutrient stress in some fields. 

• Canola is advancing rapidly from the five-leaf to bolting stages, with the earliest fields about 10% flowered. 

• Soybeans are at the third to fourth trifoliate stage, peas are nearing flowering and producers are increasingly focused on fungicides, cereal diseases and cabbage seedpod weevil monitoring. 

Eastern 

• Rainfall ranged from about 25 to 28 mm, leaving fields wet as showers continued to move through the region. 

• Fall rye is finishing flowering and remains in good condition, while early wheat is at the flag-leaf to early heading stages. 

• Wheat generally looks very good, although crop losses have occurred around field drains and other poorly drained areas. 

• Corn is at the V4 to V5 stages and remains mostly in good condition despite some yellowing from excess moisture. 

• Canola ranges from the rosette stage to 25% flowering, with producers preparing fungicide applications for sclerotinia. 

• Soybeans are at the third to fourth trifoliate stage and are beginning to recover from moisture stress, while sunflower development remains delayed but generally satisfactory. 

Interlake 

• Significant rainfall continued across the region, with Stonewall receiving 76.9 mm and Woodlands recording 37.5 mm. 

• Fields near Stonewall and Warren are waterlogged, and strong winds combined with rain have delayed in-crop spraying. 

• Crops on better-drained land are progressing normally, but development is slower in saturated fields and oilseeds remain behind normal. 

• Winter cereals remain mostly in good condition, while spring wheat is at stem elongation and the earliest fields are approaching the flag-leaf stage. 

• Corn is generally between the V2 and V4 stages, although wet fields show uneven growth and early nutrient deficiencies. 

• Canola ranges from two to five leaves and has suffered severe damage in some saturated fields, while soybeans at the second to third trifoliate stage are showing comparatively better tolerance of the wet conditions.