With seeding wrapping up across most of the province, many Manitoba producers would now welcome a good rain, according to the latest weekly crop report.
Released Tuesday, the report pegged the planting of spring cereals at about 95-99% complete, corn at 95%, soybeans at 90% and canola at 80%, adding that it is expected that all planting will be complete by the end of this week.
While good emergence is being reported on spring cereals and field peas, the report said a rain across most regions would be welcomed. “In most regions the soil surface is getting dry due to high temperatures and wind.” Later planted crops such dry beans will have to be planted slightly deeper in order to capture moisture for germination, the report added.
Most cereal grains range from germinating/emerging to the three-leaf stage with the majority of acres in the one to three leaf stage. Spraying of cereals has been delayed in some cases due to recent windy days. With the drier topsoil, weed pressure has been reduced.
Good emergence has been noted on most pea fields around the province with the most advanced fields in the 3rd to 4th node stage. Dry bean planting will be wrapping up this week with approximately 75% complete to date.
Livestock water supplies are adequate but additional moisture would ensure sufficient quantities for the grazing season. Dugouts are approximately three quarters full.
Southwest:
Warm and windy conditions for most of the region during last week. Areas like Dand, Deloraine, Virden, Waskada, Hamiota, Newdale received 15-35 mm of rain. Other areas received 2-5 mm. The soil surface is getting dry due to high temperatures and winds. The majority of areas will need a good rain in the coming days. Excellent progress has been made during the last week, with seeded acres at 85% complete for the region. Most report good seedbed conditions. Crops are germinating and emerging well.
Field peas are advancing with most of the early seeded fields in the 3rd to 4th node and getting closer to the herbicide application stage. The majority of spring cereals are in, and estimated at 95 to 100% complete. Spring wheat is emerging to two leaves and some early three leaves. Emergence is rated as good to excellent. Canola estimated at 75% complete. Early-seeded canola is at the cotyledon stage. Flea beetles are present, but not feeding to a large degree. Soybean seeding is continuing with 75% completed. Some early planted fields are at the cotyledon stage. Sunflower seeding is at 85% complete. Grain corn is 85% done and silage corn is 40-50% complete. Some early seeded corn is at the VE to V3 stage.
Northwest:
Most of the region received welcome precipitation, with the exception of a few areas. Highest accumulated precipitation for the week was received in The Pas with approximately 42 mm. Although areas that received precipitation slowed seeding progress, the rain was welcomed to help with germination and growth. Monday afternoon system brought intense localized storms to some areas. Ashville, and Gilbert Plains area seemed to receive the most precipitation, reporting upwards of 50 mm of rainfall in a short period of time.
Spring wheat across the region sits at approximately 95% complete. Approximately 75% of the spring wheat has emerged and looks uniform. Some in-crop herbicide has begun where appropriate stages have been reached. Field peas are at 99% complete, emergence looks good and uniform and heading into the vegetative stages. Soybeans are approximately 85% planted across the region and beginning to emerge. Canola seeding is approximately 75% complete in the Dauphin area and more advanced in the Swan River/Roblin area at 85% complete. The Pas area is approximately 70% complete. Earliest seeded canola is emerging.
Central:
Soil moisture generally remains good, high temperatures and strong wind has resulted in the soil moisture at seeding depth becoming inadequate for germination in many regions. This has mostly affected canola, soybean and dry beans. Although some farmers are still seeding, most have been switching from seeding to herbicide application this week. The switch has been made difficult due to persistent strong winds. Warmer temperatures have supported the emergence of weeds such as pigweeds and green and yellow foxtails.
Much of the earlier seeded canola has emerged, with some as advanced as the two leaved stage. Flea beetles and cutworms have been problematic for some farmers, especially in the Plumas, Neepawa, and Pilot Mound areas. Dry bean planting sits at approximately 75% complete and will wrap up by the weekend. Some producers have been expressing concern with having to plant down to 2 inches to get into moisture. Producers having to go any deeper than that have chosen to plant to 1.5 inches and wait for rain. Most spring cereals have emerged and look well, with the most advanced being around the 2 leaf stage.
Eastern:
There was no appreciable rainfall in the Eastern Region over the last week. As well, most days during the reporting period had daytime highs and nighttime lows that were well above normal for this time of year. The sunny and hot weather was accompanied by strong southerly winds, which resulted in low humidity conditions and soil drying. Smoke was very prevalent in the air at the start of last week but was replaced by dust from gravel roads and fields as the week progressed. Across the Eastern Region, about 95% of seeding was complete and the spray season had begun. Approximately 95% of spring wheat, barley and oat acres are seeded.
Crop stage ranged from germinating/emerging to the three leaf stage with the majority of acres in the one to three leaf stage. Herbicide applications have begun and will continue this week as the weather allows. About 95% of sunflower acres have been planted with only limited acres remaining in southern and central districts. Crop growth stage ranged from germinating/emerging to V2 stage for the earliest seeded fields. Growers were monitoring fields for the appearance of cutworms. Canola was about 95% seeded with remaining acres to be finished in the coming days
Interlake:
Spotty showers passed through the region ranging from 12-25 mm over the weekend. It’s very dry in areas that did not receive any rain. Rainfall for Arborg for May is 33% of normal according to Manitoba Agriculture weather station. Top soil conditions are dry and rainfall is needed Seeding is wrapping up in the North and South Interlake area. In general, 90-95℅ done for all crops. The North Interlake area is making good progress but some canola is still left to be seeded. South Interlake area is about 90% complete while in the North Interlake area is about 80% complete.
Cereal crops have emerged and look good. Spraying has been delayed due to the windy conditions. Canola is starting to emerge and although flea beetles have been reported, minimal feeding has been observed.
