Crop damage is still being assessed after storms ripped through parts of Manitoba this past week, according to the latest provincial crop report on Tuesday.
Isolated storms brought significant rainfall to areas in the Northwest region on June 7-8, especially near San Clara where more than 80mm was reported. The storms also brought heavy rain to the Southwest Region, as well as top wind speeds of over 100 km/hr. Damage to the crops is still uncertain as cereals are looking reasonable, but other crops like canola, soybean, and sunflower “appear to be severely affected,” the report said.
Western areas of the province near San Clara, Deloraine, Waskada, and Rivers have received more than 120% of normal precipitation since May 1. On the other hand, most of the Central and Interlake regions are below 60% compared to the 30-year average.
Spring cereal fields range anywhere from two leaf to very early flag stage. Crops have shown rapid development and remain in mostly good condition.
Canola ranges from cotyledon to rosette stage with evidence of the start of bolt on the earliest seeded fields. Sunflower growth ranges from the V2 to V6 stage with the crop demonstrating rapid growth and good to excellent condition. Most flax crops are at growth stage 5 (stem extension) and the crop is expected to advance rapidly given the growing conditions.
Soybean emergence has been variable in some regions due to seed sitting in dry soil; however, most soybean stands are quite acceptable, the report said. Good emergence is noted on most pea fields around the province with the most advanced fields in the six to eight node stage. Dry beans are emerging but have struggled in areas where soil moisture was lacking, and seed is sitting in dry soil.
Pastures in the province would benefit from rain. Last week’s thundershowers were localized with some areas not receiving any rain and, therefore, experiencing drier conditions. Hay and pasture growth has slowed and is showing signs of moisture stress. Hay yields will be variable and down from last year, the report added.
Southwest:
There were thundershowers and rain in most of the region last week. Temperatures were variable with hotter days and comparatively cooler nights. Heavy rainfall mixed with hail fell in the areas south of the Trans-Canada highway this past week. Melita, Pierson, and the Lauder/Dand area received 17-25 mm. Deloraine and Pierson saw up to 50-60 mm or more with some localized flooding. Northwest areas of Trans-Canada highway received 20-25 mm of rain, but some pocket areas like Miniota, Rivers, Oak River, and Shoal Lake received 50-60 mm.
Moisture conditions are adequate in most of the region but some areas like Eden, Birtle, Souris, and Alexander are still at below normal rainfall. An intensive storm on Wednesday night was roughly 5-8 km wide. It started northwest of Oak River and travelled at an angle towards Rivers. Damage to the crops is still uncertain as cereals are looking reasonable but other crops like canola, soybean, and sunflower appear to be severely affected. Damage is still be assessed. There is potential for some reseeding to occur.
Northwest:
A week of high temperatures and high humidity moved crops along rapidly. Overnight temperatures were warm most of the week and then cooled off over the weekend. Highest precipitation amount was in San Clara, which received 83 mm. Excessive precipitation from the previous week caused challenges for in-crop herbicide and insecticide applications. Areas that were holding excess water in the field are showing signs of moisture stress.
Field pea emergence looks good and uniform and continuing nicely in the vegetative stages. Field peas are in the six to eight node stage. Spring cereal fields ranged anywhere from two leaf to six leaf stage. Winter wheat and fall rye are headed out and look to be in good condition. Soybeans are at the first trifoliate stage.
Central:
Producers in the central region continued to see warm, dry and windy conditions. Many crops, especially corn and cereals, can be observed experiencing stress from lack of moisture. Patchy thunderstorms developed over the past week bringing some needed moisture; however, the rain was not widespread across the region. In general, the region would greatly benefit from rain. Seeding is complete except for the occasional reseeding.
Overall emergence on crops has been good, providing there was moisture at seeding depth, but those with dry soils have had much poorer emergence. Some soybean and canola in the driest fields remain stranded in the soil. The earliest seeded crops have had the most successful and uniform emergence due to the dryer soils at later planting. Most cereals are at the five to six leaf stage and tillering, canola around the five leaf stage, and soybeans range from emerging to the third trifoliate.
Eastern:
The Eastern region experienced unseasonably hot and humid weather over the reporting period. Thunderstorms and the potential for violent weather continued to be a concern, particularly from Tuesday to Thursday of last week. Rainfall accumulations ranged from as little as 10 mm to over 40 mm with wide variations across the region. Total rainfall amounts for the week were higher in northern districts than central and southern districts. In all areas you can find dry zones with seed stranded at seeding depth as well as wet zones, where field access was limited due to temporary flooding. Isolated reports of hail damage were received but as crops were at earlier growth stages when damaged, they are generally recovering from injury.
Uneven germination resulting in thin stands and variable crop staging in some fields remains a top producer concern.
Interlake:
Scattered showers and thundershowers continue, with much variability in rainfall amounts across the Interlake region. Some areas in the south, such as Stonewall and Warren are dry. The east and north part of the Interlake region missed last week’s rainfall and soil conditions are very dry. However, Fisher Branch and Vidir received a good amount of rainfall this past week, about 25 to 50 mm. Heat stress on crops has been reported by producers. Although the majority of annual crop acres are still rated as adequate for topsoil moisture.
Frequent rains will be needed to sustain crop growth through the season. Seeding progress is 100% complete for most crops, with the last fields being seeded to mostly annual crops for green feed. Reseeding continues as crop stands are evaluated following extreme heat stress.
