Manitoba Seeding Advances Just Slightly 

Manitoba seeding inched forward this past week, moving slightly closer to completion. 

Tuesday’s weekly crop report showed overall seeding in the province at 97% complete, up only a single point from a week earlier and behind last year and the five-year average at 100%.  

Precipitation was highly variable across agricultural Manitoba during the seven days ended June 21, with some areas receiving substantial rainfall while nearby locations remained almost completely dry, the report said. 

Somerset recorded the province’s highest weekly accumulation at 34.3 mm, while the driest locations in the Central Region, Brunkild and Bagot, received only 1 mm. In the Eastern Region, Sprague reported 26.6 mm, compared with no measurable rain at Stead. 

Rainfall was generally lighter in the Interlake, where Gimli received 11.8 mm and Fisher Branch just 0.3 mm. The Northwest remained the wettest part of the province overall, with Swan River recording 22.1 mm and Ste. Rose receiving 0.6 mm. In the Southwest, Kenton reported 23.4 mm, compared with 2.8 mm at Minnedosa. 

Since May 1, large portions of the Northwest, Interlake and Eastern regions have received more than 80 mm of precipitation. Seasonal totals are now above normal across the Interlake and parts of the Northwest, with some Northwest areas exceeding 150% of normal. Southern portions of the Interlake near Stonewall have received more than 250% of normal precipitation. 

By contrast, much of the Southwest remains dry, with seasonal precipitation still below 70% of the 30-year average. 

Crops continued to advance despite the uneven moisture conditions. Spring cereals were generally in the five-leaf to tillering stages, while the earliest fields approached stem elongation. Herbicide applications were underway or complete in many areas, although suspected tan spot and other cereal leaf diseases were beginning to appear. 

Corn was mainly between the V2 and V4 stages and generally looked good, although excess moisture caused uneven growth and early nutrient deficiencies in some fields. 

Canola was mostly in the three- to five-leaf stages, with the most advanced fields nearing six leaves. Seeding remained incomplete in the Northwest, where progress was estimated at 85%. 

Soybeans were generally at the second- to third-trifoliate stage and were handling excessive moisture better than most crops. Field peas advanced rapidly and were mainly between the sixth- and eighth-node stages. 

Southwest 

• Kenton and Brandon received the most rain at roughly 20–25 mm, while isolated thunderstorms affected other parts of the region. 

• Daytime temperatures above 20°C helped fields dry, but cool nights continued to slow crop development. 

• Crops are recovering from earlier wind and hail damage. 

• Most fields remain in good condition, with relatively few acres affected by excess moisture. 

• Overall crop growth remains somewhat delayed by cooler overnight temperatures. 

Central 

• Most areas received limited rainfall, allowing fieldwork to resume, although Cypress River, Holland, Somerset and Snowflake recorded more than 20 mm. 

• Excess-moisture damage remains evident in low-lying and poorly drained fields, particularly in the RM of Cartier, with crop injury from flooding and hail. 

• Spring cereals are mainly at the five-leaf to tillering stages, while corn is generally at V3 to V5 and remains uneven or yellowed in wetter fields. 

• Canola is mostly at the three- to five-leaf stage, peas are at the sixth- to eighth-node stage, and soybeans are at the second- to third-trifoliate stage. 

• Herbicide applications have resumed, while producers are scouting for weeds, tan spot, cutworms, pea leaf weevil and other crop stresses. 

Eastern 

• Most locations received little or no rain, although Sprague recorded 26.6 mm, allowing field activity and herbicide applications to resume. 

• Saturated soils and standing water continue to reduce stands and cause yellowing in lower, heavier and poorly drained fields. 

• Cooler temperatures slowed crop development, especially in corn, but may have helped crops tolerate waterlogged soils. 

• Spring wheat is mainly around the five-leaf and three-tiller stage, corn is at V3 to V4, canola is at four to five leaves and soybeans are at the second- to third-trifoliate stage. 

• Soybeans have generally handled wet conditions well, although iron deficiency chlorosis is widespread and disease risk remains elevated under humid conditions. 

Northwest 

• The region experienced frequent showers, cool nights and moderate daytime temperatures, with Swan River and Swan Valley receiving about 22 mm. 

• Saturated soils, renewed ponding and earlier overland flooding continue to delay seeding, reseeding and spraying. 

• Road washouts and infrastructure damage remain concerns in the Minitonas and Swan Valley areas. 

• Spring cereal seeding was about 90% complete, with crops ranging from emergence to tillering, while canola seeding was approximately 85% complete. 

• Peas and soybeans are fully seeded, with peas at V2 to V6 and soybeans mainly at V1. 

Interlake 

• Rainfall was generally minimal, although localized areas around Gimli received as much as 11.8 mm; cool, wet conditions continued to slow crop growth. 

• Seeding is largely complete, but producers are still assessing whether flooded fields should be reseeded. 

• Significant crop losses are being reported in parts of the South Interlake, particularly around Teulon, Clandeboye and Meadows. 

• Spring wheat ranges from poor in waterlogged areas to good or average on drier land, while corn is at V3 to V5 and generally developing well. 

• Soybeans are mainly at the first- to second-trifoliate stage, sunflowers are at V2 to V4 and flax stands are generally good.