Manitoba seeding has passed the halfway mark, with warm weather helping farmers to make rapid progress in the field this past week.
The weekly crop report on Tuesday showed overall seeding in the province at 62% complete, way up from just 25% a week earlier but still behind the five-year average of 81%.
Dry peas are the most advanced at around 97% planted, followed by cereals at 80-95%, with corn at 70%, soybeans at 47% and canola at 40%. Dry peas are around 20% planted, along with 48% of the sunflowers and 68% of the flax. Good emergence is being reported on spring cereals and field peas with the recent warm weather, the report said, adding that winter cereals remain in excellent condition with very little winterkill.
Some cattle are being turned out to pasture where there is carryover forage or turned out with supplemental feed. More cattle will go out over the next 7 to 10 days. Producers want to ensure forage growth is adequate, 5-6” tall, before grazing, the report said.
Nearly all creeks, streams, dugouts, and sloughs have refilled to capacity.
Southwest
Showers early in the week halted seeding progress for couple of days in the Southwest region, 5-8 mm of rain fell in most areas. Producers started again on Thursday and were in full swing through the long weekend. This gave a good boost to the seeded acreage. Seeding progressed rapidly last week, with the region sitting at 53%. Spring wheat is 90% complete, with barley at 60%, and oats at 50% complete. Currently canola seeding progress is at 50%. Field pea seeding is at 95% complete. Soybean seeding is approximately 60% complete. Grain corn planting is at 85% complete.
Northwest
It was a week of mixed temperatures and little to no moisture across the region. Some areas received a light frost mid-week when temperatures dropped. A few sporadic showers were reported but not of any significance to slow seeding progress. While the eastern side of the Northwest region is sitting at adequate soil moisture, the north and west parts of the region are moving into drier conditions and rain would be welcomed.
Spring wheat across the region sits at approximately 90% complete with approximately 40% of the spring wheat having emerged. Field peas are sitting at 95% complete, with good emergence on most fields. Approximately 60% of soybeans are seeded across the region. Canola seeding is approximately 40% complete in the Dauphin/Roblin area and more advanced in Swan River and The Pas areas with approximately 65-70% complete.
Central
Although the region saw rain last week, warmer temperatures have resulted in considerable drying of heavier and wetter soils allowing for a high degree of seeding this past week across the central region. The warm weather and moisture are aiding timely germination and vigorous growth.
The areas around Carman, Roland, MacGregor and Westbourne are more advanced than the escarpment. Portage, Altona and along the Red River Valley are much further behind in comparison. 95% of cereals have been planted. The main focus for farmers at the moment is the planting of soybeans, at 55% planted, and canola at 20% planted. Sunflower progress is at 60% planted and corn acres are at 80% planted. Dry bean planting has started in the region with approximately 20% completed.
Eastern
Showers were widespread across the Eastern Region during Wednesday and Thursday. Some areas, also had showers early in the morning on Friday of last week. This precipitation did not slow down growers very much and most returned to their fields on Thursday or Friday. If the weather cooperates, some producers will complete seeding by the end of this week, particularly in northern districts where some went into the long weekend with around 70% of their acres in the ground. Across the whole Eastern Region, about 65% of seeding is complete.
Approximately 90% of spring wheat, barley and oat acres are seeded. The remainder will be completed very soon with favorable weather. Cereal emergence has been rapid given the soil temperatures. Earlier seeded spring cereals are in the 1 to 2 leaf stage.
Corn planting progressed rapidly over the last week with approximately 80% of acres now seeded. Producers with corn still to seed are expected to make rapid progress and finish over the coming days. Some early seeded corn has emerged.
About 90% of sunflower acres have been planted. The remaining acres will be going in very soon. Canola is about 50% seeded while soybeans are about 40% complete. Most producers will now shift their efforts to soybeans and canola in the upcoming week and rapid progress is expected. More progress on seeding these crops has been made in northern districts as compared to central and southern areas but that is expected to change soon. Emergence of early seeded soybeans and canola has been noted.
Interlake
In general soil moisture is good, small showers passed through the region this past week delaying seeding for a day or two. Seeding continues in the Interlake area with about 63% of the region planted. Planting progress has been good during the past week. The South Interlake area is further ahead than the North Interlake, which is about a week behind. Good emergence has been noted on spring cereals with spring wheat and corn at the two leaf stage.
Cereal planting is 70% complete with soybeans at 60%. Field pea planting is near completion at 95%. Canola planting is approximately 30% completed with good progress expected during the next week given the favorable forecast. Grain corn planting is at 80%.
