Manitoba Seeding Passes Halfway Mark; Still Lagging 

Manitoba seeding has passed the halfway mark, but it remains behind last year and the five-year average. 

The latest weekly crop report on Tuesday pegged provincewide seeding at 55% complete, up from 37% a week earlier but lagging both last year and the average at 85% and 68%, respectively. 

Winter wheat and fall rye crops continued to advance under the warmer weather, while spring wheat seeding reached 75% complete provincewide. Progress remained slowest in the Northwest region, where only about 30% of the crop has been planted due to ongoing wet conditions. Corn planting also accelerated significantly across the Southwest, Central, Eastern, and Interlake regions as producers took advantage of improved field conditions. 

Canola seeding remained behind normal pace, with less than half of Manitoba’s intended acres planted so far. The Central and Eastern regions were reported as the furthest advanced for canola planting. Sunflower seeding also moved ahead steadily, with most acres already seeded in the Central, Eastern, and Interlake regions. 

Pulse and soybean planting made particularly strong gains over the past week. Field pea seeding is now nearly complete across the Southwest, Central, and Eastern regions, while soybean planting advanced rapidly, especially in the Central, Eastern, and Interlake areas, where producers pushed to finish seeding during favourable weather windows. 

Precipitation totals over the past week ranged from less than 1 mm to more than 46 mm, with the Interlake and Northwest regions receiving the heaviest rainfall. 

Southwest 

• Welcome rainfall slowed fieldwork but helped improve moisture reserves across northern areas.  

• Southern districts such as Deloraine, Souris, and Boissevain remain below normal moisture levels.  

• Spring wheat and barley seeding reached roughly 75% completion, with oats at 60%.  

• Canola and soybean planting were both about 35-40% complete as producers waited for warmer conditions.  

• Nighttime frost persisted through parts of the week, while recent warmth accelerated weed growth and spraying activity.  

Northwest 

• Frequent rainfall and wet fields continued to delay seeding progress across much of the region.  

• Spring wheat planting was only 30% complete, while peas were approximately 40% seeded.  

• Canola and soybean planting lagged badly at just 5% complete each.  

• Cool soil temperatures slowed crop emergence, even in earlier-seeded fields.  

• Producers are increasingly concerned about wet conditions and delayed field access.  

Central 

• Rainfall of 6-22 mm provided much-needed moisture across the region late in the week.  

• Most annual crop seeding is nearing completion, with only edible beans still being planted in some areas.  

• Warm temperatures accelerated crop emergence, although uneven emergence was reported in some early-seeded corn fields.  

• Flea beetle activity increased in canola, while isolated cutworm damage was also reported.  

• Wind damage and sandblasting remain concerns on lighter-textured soils.  

Eastern 

• Showers slowed seeding progress, though planting continued across most crops.  

• Spring wheat seeding was estimated at 85% complete, while corn planting reached 80%.  

• Canola and sunflower planting were both about 55% complete, while soybeans advanced to 65%.  

• Producers are watching forecasted heat closely as early corn and soybean crops begin emerging.  

• Winter cereals were reported in good condition and actively growing.  

Interlake 

• Heavy rain and windy weather created highly variable field conditions across the region.  

• Overall seeding reached 81% complete, with southern areas significantly ahead of northern districts.  

• Soybean planting stood at 70% in the south but only 25% farther north due to excessive moisture.  

• Canola seeding ranged from 60% complete in southern areas to as low as 10% in northern districts.  

• Wet field edges and saturated soils continued to delay operations in several municipalities.