Manitoba Harvest Down to Last 20% 

Manitoba farmers made substantial harvest progress over the past week, with only about 20% of crops still to be combined. 

The weekly provincial crop report pegged the overall harvest at 79% complete as of Wednesday, up 14 percentage points from the previous week. 

Harvest progress was strongest in the Central region at 92% complete, followed by the Eastern at 87%, Interlake at 81%, Northwest at 72% and Southwest at 69%.  

Spring wheat harvest reached 97% complete, up from 86% a week earlier, while barley advanced to 97% from 91% and oats to 97% from 88%. The canola harvest jumped to 86% from 74%, while the soybean harvest nearly doubled to 61% from 31%. The corn harvest advanced to 12% from 3%, while silage corn reached 66%, up from 40%. 

Rainfall over the past eight days ranged from 10 to 30 mm across much of southern Manitoba, while large areas of the Northwest and Interlake received less than 5 mm. Cartwright recorded the highest accumulation at 31.3 mm. 

Crop quality remains a concern, with sprouting, weathering and lodging resulting in downgrading of some later-harvested cereals. 

SOUTHWEST 

• Overall harvest advanced to 69% complete from 50% the previous week, with Sunday rainfall bringing operations to a halt. 

• Spring wheat harvest reached 95%, up from 75%. Quality has deteriorated, with some wheat grading No. 3 or feed. 

• Barley and oats are both 95% harvested, up from 85% and 75%, respectively. Sprouting, discoloration and low test weights have affected barley quality. 

• Canola harvest advanced to 75% from 55%, with average yields and generally good quality. Disease, lodging and wet fields remain challenges. 

• Soybean harvest jumped to 35% from 10%, with average to above-average yields. Late harvest conditions are expected to limit fall fertilizer applications and winter cereal seeding. 

NORTHWEST 

• Overall harvest advanced to 72% complete from 58% a week earlier, helped by another stretch of favourable fall weather. 

• Spring wheat harvest reached 90%, up from 85%, with reported yields ranging from 50 to 90 bu/acre. Some sprouting has occurred. 

• Canola harvest advanced to 80% from 70%, with generally average to below-average yields of 25 to 35 bu/acre. 

• Soybean harvest reached 65%, sharply higher than 20% the previous week. Crop development and yields have been affected by excessive moisture in some areas. 

• Field pea harvest is complete, with yields generally ranging from 30 to 50 bu/acre. Recently seeded winter cereals are establishing well. 

CENTRAL 

• Overall harvest reached 92% complete, up from 83% the previous week, following several favourable harvesting days before weekend rainfall. 

• Spring wheat, barley and oat harvests are complete. Quality problems include pre-harvest sprouting, low falling numbers and some feed-grade barley. 

• Canola harvest advanced to 97% from 90%, although yields have generally been disappointing due to weather, insect and disease pressures. 

• Soybean harvest jumped to 80% from 65%, with yields ranging from average to slightly above average. Edible bean harvest reached 95%, up from 60%. 

• Grain corn harvest advanced to 25% from 7%, with early yields above average. Sunflower harvest is underway, with encouraging initial yields despite disease concerns. 

EASTERN 

• Overall harvest advanced to 87% from 72% the previous week, with generally favourable conditions before weekend rainfall. 

• Spring wheat, barley and oats are virtually complete, at 99% harvested. Yields have generally been average at best because of excessive moisture earlier in the growing season. 

• Canola harvest reached 99%, up from 95%, with yields ranging from below average to average due partly to early moisture stress and flowering-period heat. 

• Soybean harvest surged to 85% from 25%, with yields generally above the 10-year average. 

• Grain corn harvest reached 5%, up from 1%, with early yields above the 10-year average. Sunflower harvest has also begun, with above-average initial yields. 

INTERLAKE 

• Overall harvest advanced to 81% complete from 66% a week earlier, with most producers approaching completion. 

• Spring wheat, barley and oats are fully harvested, with generally average to above-average yields. 

• Canola harvest advanced to 85% from 75%, with average to slightly above-average yields. Remaining acres should come off quickly if conditions permit. 

• Soybean harvest jumped to 45% from just 5%, with average to slightly above-average yields. Field pea harvest is complete. 

• Grain corn harvest reached 35%, up from 10%, with slightly above-average yields and no major quality concerns. Silage corn harvest advanced to 85% from 65%, while newly seeded winter cereals are establishing well.