The combining of fall rye and winter wheat continued this past week in Manitoba, with winter wheat in some cases yielding near 100 bu/acre, according to the latest weekly crop report.
Released Tuesday, the report estimated the provincial winter wheat harvest at around 60% complete, with fall rye about 30% done. Early yield reports on winter wheat are averaging around 65 bu/acre but some fields in the Interlake region reportedly approached 100 bu. Fall rye in the Interlake was coming off at 65-70 bu, the report said.
Meanwhile, other crops are advancing quickly to harvest. Spring cereal crops are in the intermediate to hard dough stage with the exception of very late seeded crops that were in soft dough. Disease pressure remains low due to the dry conditions this year, with levels of fusarium head blight in spring wheat expected to be low. A small number of ergot bodies have been found in some spring wheat fields.
Overall, cereal crops remain in fair to mostly good condition although some oat fields seeded on light soils and in lower rainfall areas continued to show stress symptoms, most notably turning white and rapidly drying down.
Corn is reported to be in good to excellent condition in the Eastern and Interlake regions, but many fields are visibly stressed due to dryness in the Central region. Overall soybean conditions are mostly good, with the exception of some later seeded crop. In the Central region, soybeans, as well as dry beans, are also showing signs of stress due to the lack of timely rainfall.
Most of the canola crop ranges from early to late pod fill with some colour change noted on the early seeded crop. Overall crop condition ranges from fair to mostly good. Sunflowers are good to excellent, with flax good to fair, the report said.
Field pea crops growth stage moved rapidly last week with most crops at mid- to full maturity. Crop desiccation is ongoing with harvest expected to follow soon if the weather is cooperative. The majority of the crop remains in good condition, but in drier areas fields are in fair condition and demonstrating lower yield potential.
Hay yields remain highly variable and are dependent on moisture conditions, whereas greenfeed yields are better than expected. Corn intended for silage is growing well, with some silage cornfields over 11 feet high. Some annual crops intended for silage have begun being harvested and yields appear to be average.
Pasture regrowth has been reduced due to lack of moisture, and grass is starting to turn brown. It is likely producers either begin supplemental feeding out on pasture or bring cattle back to yards. Some producers have already begun supplemental feeding out on pastures in the Portage and Manitou areas.
Southwest:
No significant moisture and warm temperatures over the past week has seen harvest start in the Southwest. Several areas have crops that are ripening. Rainfall would be beneficial for later seeded crops like soybeans. Rains are needed for all pasture land and hay crops. In general, crops look average now, however without any rain, yields will be trending below average. Fall rye and winter wheat harvest is progressing in the southern portion of the region and yields look to be average with good quality. Some reports of ergot showing up in fall rye. There are still reports of some grasshoppers damaging the crops, as they move from dried pastures and hayland into crops.
Most wheat crops are in the firm to hard dough stage and have handled the warm, dry conditions the best of all the cereal crops. Desiccation of early seeded wheat will begin later this week. Fusarium head blight is low and some reports of aphids on wheat heads. Pea crops are being desiccated and harvest has begun in some areas. Some later seeded fields are turning and are getting closer to pre-harvest applications.
Pea crops look to be an average yield around 45 and good quality with dry conditions. Barley fields are turning fast. Some producers are swathing early fields to take advantage of weather and to start harvest
Northwest
A week of hot temperatures moved the crops along in the region, although overnight temperatures continued to cool down to single digits. Precipitation amounts varied across the region this week, while some areas received minimal rain. There were thunderstorms that brought hail to some areas. Extent of damage is currently unknown. Areas that have received minimal rainfall throughout the region are showing signs of stress. Water sources are continuing to dry out.
Fall rye and winter wheat harvest, in most of the region began over the weekend. Harvest in the Dauphin and Swan Valley area is approximately 80% complete. Perennial ryegrass harvest also began last week. Yields not reported at this time. Spring cereals are in the soft to hard dough stages. Most advanced spring wheat has received pre-harvest applications, while the remaining crops continue not far behind. Depending on conditions, harvest of earliest seeded cereals is not far away.
Most of the canola across the region is podded. Approximately 10-15% of the canola is still flowering but should wrap up this week. Some sunscald is appearing with recent high temperatures. Aster yellow symptoms are noticeable in some fields.
Central
The week was hot and dry for most locations in the central region. Most producers in the Central region received very little or no rain this past week. Moisture stress & wilting is being observed in soybean, edible beans, and corn. Most producers would appreciate an inch or two of rain, especially those with late season crops, including soybeans, and corn, as well as those with hay and pasture. However, as spring and winter cereals continue to be harvested, rain would not be helpful for these crops.
Fall rye and winter wheat is mature and ready to harvest. Approximately 50% of winter cereals have been harvested already. Almost all winter cereals will be harvested in the coming week. Winter cereal yields are down from 2022 due to the drier weather conditions. Spring wheat, barley and oats are maturing quickly, with crops mostly at the intermediate dough to hard dough stages. Harvest has already begun for some spring wheat producers, as well as the earliest barley and oat fields. Corn is now at R1 (silking) to early R3 (milk) growth stages. Many corn fields are visibly water stressed.
Eastern
Rainfall accumulations ranged from trace amounts to as much as 18 mm. Most of that rainfall occurred as part of fast moving severe thunderstorms that covered most of the Eastern region on Tuesday. In general, central and northern districts experienced the greatest rainfall amounts. There were some reports of small sized hail occurring in various parts of the region, as part of this storm system. Day and night time temperatures were above seasonal this past week with high humidity also a feature. Growers in many areas continued to characterize soil moisture levels as keeping up with crop demand and keeping crops in acceptable to good condition, although some overly dry areas could be found. Additional rainfall will be needed over most areas to ensure crop yield potential is maintained, particularly for long season crop types.
Harvesting of winter wheat and fall rye continued with about 60% and 30% of acres combined, respectively. Application of pre-harvest herbicides or swathing also continued on crop that was still drying down. Harvest in the coming week, if weather is supportive. Early yield reports on winter wheat were averaging at around 65 bu/acre. Most spring cereal crops were in the intermediate to hard dough stage with the exception of very late seeded crops that were in soft dough. Application of pre-harvest herbicides has begun on some of the early seeded crop and will continue this week if weather allows. Crops continued to show greater amounts of turning and colour change. Overall, cereal crops remain in fair to mostly good condition.
Interlake
The Interlake region continues to experience warmer weather conditions. Daytime temperatures went up to 30 to 33°C, with daily averages around 20°C. Spotty rainfall was noted across the region this past week. Humidity levels remained high. Rain is needed in all areas for crop development and advancement, particularly in some parts of the north Interlake region, which remains short of moisture. Some crops are still hanging on from shower to shower. Soil moisture levels are keeping up with crop demand with recent rainfall.
Most crops are approaching harvesting. Overall crops are above average and appear excellent with recent showers. All cereals have rapidly advanced. Some cereal fields were combined last week in the North Interlake region, particularly fall rye with an early yield potential estimate of 65-70 bu/ac. Winter wheat was combined in some parts of the Interlake region with yields approaching 100 bushels per acre. Spring wheat is at the soft to hard dough stage. The latest seeded flax has finished flowering.
Canola is about 50% done flowering and looks excellent. Still flowering in late-seeded and re-seeded canola, but podding out in some parts of the south Interlake area. Reseeded canola is looking good in fields that have received adequate rainfall.
