Manitoba Seeding Nears Completion Amid Stormy Conditions 

Manitoba seeding is nearly wrapped up, even as severe storms brought intense rainfall, strong winds, and hail to parts of the province. 

The weekly crop report on Tuesday showed seeding across the province at 93% complete, up from 71% a week earlier. That’s just modestly behind 99% last year and the five-year average of 95%, after earlier weather-related delays. 

Precipitation was highly variable across Manitoba over the past week, with stormy weather between June 2 and 4. Environment Canada confirmed three tornadoes, including sightings in the Manitou and Carman areas. Heavy rainfall in parts of the Northwest later in the week triggered overland flood warnings, while portions of the Northwest, Interlake and Central regions have now received more than 60 mm of rain since May 1. 

Despite the stormy weather, seeding of most major crops is nearly finished. Spring wheat seeding is mostly complete, although the Northwest is still only about 80% done. Corn planting is complete, while canola seeding is finished in most regions except the Northwest, where it is about 65% complete. Soybeans and dry beans are largely planted, although some reseeding is occurring in the Central region because of excess rainfall. 

Southwest 

• Hot, humid weather pushed weekend temperatures more than 10°C above normal, while thunderstorms brought minor hail to areas including Waskada, Rossburn, Forrest and Minnedosa. 

• Significant moisture fell across the region, although much of it came in sudden storm events that left standing water in some fields. 

• Spring cereal seeding is about 95% complete, with crops emerging and reaching up to the five-leaf stage. 

• Corn seeding is complete, with plants at the V2 to V3 stage. 

• Canola seeding is 90% complete, while soybeans are 95% seeded and the earliest fields are emerging to the unifoliate stage. 

Northwest 

• The Northwest had a difficult week, with cooler temperatures, frequent showers and intense storms slowing seeding progress. 

• Weekend storms caused field damage, while roads and bridges were washed out in parts of the Swan Valley and San Clara areas. 

• Seeding has largely stalled across much of the region, with saturated fields, standing water and some acres still unseeded. 

• Spring wheat seeding is about 80% complete, while field peas are about 95% seeded. 

• Canola seeding remains well behind the rest of the province at about 65% complete, while soybean seeding is considered finished as planting deadlines arrive. 

Central 

• Severe thunderstorms from June 4 to 6 brought heavy rain, strong winds and hail, with tornadoes reported near Manitou and Carman. 

• Rainfall was heaviest in the south of the region, including 97.2 mm at Winkler, while the Portage area received just 11.9 mm. 

• The rain was welcome after warm, dry weather, but standing water persisted for several days in many fields and caused some crop damage. 

• Spring cereals are mostly at the three- to four-leaf stage and tillering, while early herbicide applications are underway. 

• Dry bean planting is complete, although some reseeding is occurring because of excess moisture; most canola remains at the cotyledon stage. 

Eastern 

• Rainfall ranged from 3 mm to more than 40 mm, with Rosa recording the highest total at 49 mm. 

• Whitemouth, Elma and Hadashville received the least rain, and some crops in those areas are beginning to show stress. 

• Seeding is mostly wrapped up, although a few wet fields remain to be planted when conditions allow. 

• Spring wheat, corn, canola and soybeans are all estimated at 100% seeded. 

• Warm weather has helped crops advance, with early soybeans at the unifoliate to first trifoliate stage and most corn at V1 to V2. 

Interlake 

• The Interlake saw mixed weather, with early-week rain followed by sunshine and weekend heat reaching 34°C by Sunday. 

• Rainfall was heavy in some areas, including 86.6 mm at Moosehorn and 46.6 mm at Fisherton, while Teulon and Gimli received less than 10 mm. 

• Rain temporarily delayed seeding, but warmer conditions allowed farmers to resume fieldwork over the weekend. 

• Seeding is nearly complete, aside from some late forages and wetter fields still being finished for soybeans, canola, peas and corn. 

• About 99% of cereals are planted, canola is 85% to 90% complete, soybeans are 85% to 90% complete and grain corn is 95% complete.