Manitoba Harvest Reaches 4% as Drier Weather Helps Fieldwork 

Manitoba’s harvest advanced over the past week as drier conditions allowed producers to make progress in winter cereals, peas and early spring grains, although activity remains limited in several regions. 

Tuesday's weekly crop report showed about 4% of the province’s major crops had been harvested as of Monday. The Central region was furthest along at 9%, followed by the Eastern region at 5%. The Southwest and Interlake were each 2% complete, while the Northwest was at just 1%. 

Winter wheat and fall rye harvest were each 66% complete provincially. Progress reached 99% in the Central region, while winter wheat was 95% harvested in the Eastern region. Spring wheat, barley and oats were each 7% harvested across Manitoba, while field pea harvest had reached 24%. Canola harvest was just getting underway at 2%, concentrated in the Central region. 

Crop development continues to advance toward maturity. Spring cereals are generally in the hard dough stage or moving into harvest, with desiccation and swathing underway. Early cereal yield reports from the Central, Eastern and Interlake regions have ranged from below average to average. 

Most canola fields are at seed colour change, with swathing and desiccation continuing. Soybeans range from R5 to R7, while corn is generally between the milk and dough stages. Pea harvest is expanding, with yields mostly reported as average and quality generally good. 

The past week was notably drier than earlier periods this growing season. Most areas received less than 5 mm of rain, although heavier showers reached the Northwest, Eastern and parts of the Interlake late in the week. Minitonas recorded the largest total at 30 mm. 

Since May 1, large portions of the Northwest, Southwest and Interlake have received more than 300 mm of precipitation. Seasonal rainfall remains above normal across much of the Northwest and Southwest, while parts of the southern Interlake have received more than 120% of normal. Localized areas of the Interlake, Central and Eastern regions remain below 80% of normal. 

Southwest 

• Regional harvest is about 2% complete, with winter wheat and fall rye each 50% harvested.  

• Spring wheat is 3% complete, while barley and oats are each 2% harvested.  

• About half of the spring wheat crop has been desiccated, although cool nights and high humidity are slowing drydown.  

• Canola is turning, but some fields are showing premature ripening, disease and lodging.  

• Soybeans are at R6 to R7, corn ranges from R3 to R4 and sunflowers are around R7.  

Northwest 

• Harvest is only about 1% complete, with winter wheat and fall rye each around 50% harvested.  

• Spring wheat is mainly at hard dough, while pre-harvest herbicide applications continue.  

• Field pea harvest has started, with 5% complete, while desiccation continues.  

• Canola maturity remains highly variable, from flowering and podding through to mature fields ready for swathing.  

• Soybeans are mostly at R5 to R6 and generally look good where excess moisture did not delay development.  

Central 

• The Central region leads the province at 9% harvested.  

• Winter wheat and fall rye are 99% complete, while spring wheat, barley and oats are each 15% harvested.  

• Field pea harvest has reached 50%, with mostly average yields and good quality.  

• Canola harvest has started, with 5% complete, while more fields are being swathed due partly to verticillium stripe concerns.  

• Soybeans are at R6 to R7, while corn is mostly between the milk and dough stages and would benefit from more rain.  

Eastern 

• Regional harvest has reached 5%, with winter wheat 95% complete and fall rye also near completion.  

• Spring wheat, barley and oats are each about 10% harvested.  

• Early cereal yields are running around average at best, while winter cereal yields have been slightly below average.  

• Canola is generally at 50% to 70% seed colour change, with desiccation underway.  

• Soybeans are around R6 and corn is in the milk to dough stages, with producers hoping for more rainfall to support grain fill.  

Interlake 

• Harvest remains slow at about 2% complete, with cool temperatures, humidity and earlier rainfall delaying crop maturity.  

• Winter wheat and fall rye are each 10% harvested, while spring wheat, barley and oats are each about 5% complete.  

• Field pea harvest has reached 20%, with early yields average to above average and quality good.  

• Spring wheat and barley yields have ranged from below average to average, with large variability tied to drown-out damage.  

• Soybeans are mostly at R5 to R6, canola swathing is underway and later-seeded canola fields are still flowering or filling pods.