Manitoba Harvest Passes Halfway Mark

The Manitoba harvest passed the halfway mark this past week, although rainfall, fog and heavy dews continued to limit fieldwork in several parts of the province. 

Tuesday’s weekly crop report showed the Manitoba harvest at 51% complete as of Monday, up from 43% a week earlier. 

The largest regional advance came in the Northwest, where overall harvest progress jumped to 40% from 24%. The Central region moved to 71% from 64%, the Eastern region to 66% from 62%, the Interlake to 59% from 56%, and the Southwest to 32% from 27%. 

Provincially, spring wheat harvest reached 77%, up from 71% a week earlier. Barley advanced to 81% from 76%, oats to 72% from 66%, and canola to 57% from 43%. Peas remained at 96% complete, while soybean harvest increased to 5% from 1%. Dry bean harvest doubled to 32% done. 

Quality concerns are becoming more prominent in later-harvested cereals, with sprouting, weathering, and bleaching causing downgrades in some areas, the report said. Canola yields are generally running below average to average, while early soybean yields are reported as average to slightly above average. 

Rainfall was heaviest in the Central, Eastern and Interlake regions during the week, with Elma recording the provincial high of 23.9 mm. Most of the Northwest received less than 3 mm. 

Southwest 

• Regional harvest reached 32%, up from 27%, with rain, fog and wet fields sharply restricting progress. 

• Spring wheat is about 50% harvested, barley 75%, oats 50% and canola 30%. 

• Earlier wheat quality was good, but later crops are being downgraded because of sprouting, colour and low test weight. 

• Canola yields are around average, although lodging and wet fields are making harvest difficult. 

• Soybeans are approaching maturity, but very little acreage has been harvested. 

Northwest 

• Harvest jumped to 40% complete from 24% as warm, relatively dry weather improved field conditions. 

• Spring wheat harvest reached 70%, while canola advanced to 40% and field peas remained 75% complete. 

• Wheat yields range from below average to above average, while canola yields are generally below average to average. 

• Sprouting has been reported in some crops, while low areas of fields continue to hold water. 

• Soybeans are mostly in the late R6 to R7 stages and approaching full maturity. 

Central 

• Regional harvest advanced to 71% from 64%, despite several days of rainfall, fog and heavy dews. 

• Spring cereals are nearly complete, with spring wheat at 98%, barley 98% and oats 96% harvested. 

• Canola harvest reached 85%, up from 75%, although yields have generally been lower than in recent years. 

• Soybean harvest jumped to 15% from 1%, with early yields average to slightly above average. 

• Pre-harvest sprouting, lodging and higher grain moisture are contributing to quality declines in later-harvested crops. 

Eastern 

• Harvest reached 66%, up modestly from 62%, as rainfall continued to restrict field operations. 

• Spring wheat and oats are both 95% complete, while barley remains 90% harvested. 

• Canola harvest climbed to 85% from 75%, with yields running below average to average. 

• Soybean harvest reached 5%, up from 1%, with early yields average to slightly above average. 

• Grain corn is in the dent stage and nearing physiological maturity in earlier hybrids. 

Interlake 

• Regional harvest moved to 59% complete from 56%, with progress best in areas receiving less rainfall. 

• Spring wheat and barley are both 98% harvested, while oats reached 95%. 

• Canola harvest increased to about 60% from 45%, with yields ranging from below average to above average. 

• Soybean harvest has started on early varieties, with early yields around average. 

• Heavy dews, nuisance rains, lodging and excess moisture continue to limit harvest hours and contribute to some cereal downgrading. 
  
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