Isolated thunderstorms brought much needed but uneven rainfall across Manitoba this past week, with precipitation amounts ranging from 0 mm to 38.8 mm, according to the latest provincial crop report on Tuesday.
Some areas were hit by intense storms, including hail events. The East, Central, and western parts of the Southwest regions saw the most significant rainfall over the past week.
Despite the recent showers, much of Manitoba remains dry. Large swaths of the East, Northwest, and Interlake regions have received less than 50% of normal precipitation for the season. Even in the wetter Southwest and Central regions, total precipitation remains below 70% of the 30-year seasonal average since May 1, with only a few pockets surpassing the 80% mark.
Crop development is mixed across the province. Corn ranges from V8 growth to tasseling. Spring cereals — wheat, barley, and oats — are generally in the heading to grain fill stages. Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) fungicide treatments are nearly complete. Spring wheat quality is largely good, though 10% of fields are rated fair.
Canola crops are at a wide range of growth stages due to a long seeding window. Late seeded canola is at cabbage to early bolting. Earliest seeded canola is fully podded. Some late-seeded fields are just beginning to bolt, while early seeded ones are now fully podded. Flax is flowering, with early-seeded fields already forming bolls. Sunflowers have progressed to the R1 to R3 stages. Fungicide applications continue, particularly in canola fields damaged by hail.
Regionally, the Southwest experienced another hot, dry week, adding stress to crops. Rain later in the week offered some relief. In the Northwest, high temperatures helped accelerate crop development but exacerbated dryness, particularly in lighter soils now showing moisture stress. Meanwhile, farmers in the East continue to hope for more consistent rainfall to support crop maturity.
See the full report here:
https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/seasonal-reports/crop-report/pubs/crop-report-2025-07-15.pdf
