Hit-and-miss rainfall continued across Manitoba this past week, with some areas absolutely deluged and others were left wanting.
The provincial crop report Tuesday said that although rain was received in most regions, the amounts varied from just 1.7 mm to as much as 153 mm. In particular, storms hit part of the Southwest and Interlake regions, bringing 134 mm of rain to Fisherton in one day.
Western areas of the province near San Clara and Deloraine, have so far received more 130% of normal precipitation this season, while Fisherton in the Interlake has received more than 150% of normal precipitation since May 1. On the other hand, much of the Central and Interlake regions are below 50% normal precipitation compared to the 30-year average.
Crops have improved in those areas that did receive significant moisture, the report said, with crop development also advancing rapidly. Corn ranges from V6 to V8 leaf stage for the earliest seeded fields. Canola ranges from two to four leaf stage on late seeded and re-seeded fields to full flower on the earliest seeded fields. Most canola fields range from the early bolting to flowering stage. In lower rainfall areas, however, growers remain concerned about uneven and stagey canola stands which are proving difficult to manage in terms of herbicide and fungicide timing.
Most cereals are now entering the stem elongation or booting phase, with around 1/3 undergoing anthesis. Some crops in the Central region have been suffering from moisture stress, with cereals particularly hit badly. In some areas, cereals are yellowing or starting to die.
Most of the field pea crop was in the R2 (beginning bloom) growth stage over the last week but some plants at the R3 (flat pod) growth stage could be found. Soybean growth stage ranged from the first to second trifoliate on late seeded fields to R1 (early flower). Crop growth and development continued to be rapid in the warm weather.
Cattle are out on pasture and grass conditions are described as fair. Grass growth is struggling to keep up with the grazing pressure on continuous grazed pastures and as such, conditions are beginning to deteriorate.
Water tables are surprisingly low for this time of year, and dugouts are approximately 30% full in the Eastern region. Dugouts are 80% full in the Western region.
Southwest
Back to back rain events early last week dumping up to 55 mm in a wide swath of the Southwest region. Northern areas of the region such as Neepawa and Erickson received the most. Storms passed through the Killarney area with some hail and accompanied by strong winds that damaged grain bins. There were reports of a hailstorm north of Rivers which caused damage to canola crops. Russell, Reston and surrounding areas have missed the rains and crops are starting to show lack of moisture stress.
Peas are at flowering and are in the early stage of pod development, crop looks good. Root rot in peas is now presenting itself after these rains. Sunflowers ranged from V6 to V10 stage and are looking good. Soybeans range from V2 to early flowering stage. Most producers have completed the second application of herbicide. Cereal crops are heading faster than expected and several fields are in the flag leaf to early heading stage. Crops are showing some stress and will probably be shorter than usual. In areas under mositure stress, we are starting to see some yellowing of older leaves.
Canola ranges from six leaf to bolting stage, with later seeded canola having more even emergence than early plantings. Some reports of grasshopper damage in canola crops and producers are spraying where economic thresholds have been reached.
Northwest:
A week of warm temperatures along with some precipitation in some areas that were lacking moisture helped crops progress. Areas in the southeast part of the region received highest precipitation this week with McCreary receiving the most at 66mm. Crops are advancing rapidly within the entire region with at least 130% of normal Growing Degree Days.
Spring wheat continues along nicely, the most advanced crops in the Swan Valley and Roblin area are approximately 50% headed out. Some fungicide applications have occurred where stages have been reached. The most advanced field pea crops are in the R2 stage with the remainder closely behind. Large amount of pea weevil notching has been noted in the Roblin and Swan Valley region. There are some shorter crops in areas that haven’t received adequate moisture.
Central
Most producers in the central region were relieved to receive at least some rainfall over the past week, with many producers receiving between 5 to 20 mm. However, in areas like Portage, producers received much less rainfall. This rainfall has visually improved crops which have advanced rapidly over the past few days. Some of this rainfall came in the form of heavy storms, with the storm around Austin and MacGregor on June 20th being particularly fierce. Heavy winds resulted in localized damage including fallen trees, toppled pivots, and lodged crops. Some fields around Bagot were written off from hail damage.
Many crops have been suffering from moisture stress, with cereals particularly hit badly. In some areas cereals were yellowing or starting to die, with some heading out already. Some corn fields have patches with ‘floppy corn syndrome’ also known as ‘rootless corn syndrome’ which is often attributed in part to dry and warm conditions.
Eastern
Accumulated rainfall over the reporting period ranged from 5 mm to more than 40 mm but was highly variable across districts. Northern districts received the least amount of rainfall over the last week ranging from 5 to 20 mm while many central and southern districts did better ranging from 20 to 40 mm. Temperatures during the reporting period moderated somewhat as compared to last week and varied between normal and slightly above normal for this time of year.
Interlake
There was a heavy rainfall this past week in the North Interlake. Excess rainfall in the Fisher branch and Peguis First Nation farm area and also in the Steeprock and Moosehorn areas being reported. Temperatures continue to be extremely variable, with most of the region seeing highs ranging from 30 to 35 C. Alternatively very dry conditions continue in the southern part of the Interlake region.
Cereal crops showing severe moisture and heat stress and starting to show loss of their green colour. Heading is occurring well ahead of schedule in cereals. Wheat mostly ranges from the six leaf stage to early flowering stage. Soybeans are second trifoliate stage to early flowering stage. Sunflowers are at V6 to V8. Canola is cabbaging and soybeans are hanging on and look good with the recent showers last week. More moisture is needed for continued plant growth.
