Warmer Weather Speeds Manitoba Crop Development; Excess Moisture Still a Concern 

Warm temperatures accelerated crop development across Manitoba during the past week, although excess moisture, flooding and storm damage continued to affect fields in several regions, according to the latest weekly crop report on Wednesday. 

Precipitation varied widely, ranging from no measurable rain at Keld to 79 mm at Bagot. Thunderstorms brought hail, strong winds and intense rainfall, with large hail reported in parts of the Southwest. The heaviest rainfall was concentrated near Ninette, Wawanesa and Shilo in the Southwest and around Austin and Bagot in the Central region, the report said. 

Seasonal rainfall remains well above normal across much of the Northwest and Interlake, where some locations have received more than twice their normal precipitation since May 1. Portions of the Southwest and Central regions have also received above-normal rainfall, although isolated areas elsewhere remain below 80% of normal. 

Provincially, winter wheat and fall rye are generally filling grain, while most spring cereals are flowering. Fusarium head blight fungicide applications continue where fields remain within the proper treatment window. Canola ranges from four to six leaves in the latest fields to nearly full flower in the most advanced crops. 

Corn developed rapidly in the heat and is generally at the V10 to V12 stage, although waterlogged areas continue to show uneven growth and nutrient stress. Most soybeans are flowering and recovering from early-season iron deficiency chlorosis and excess moisture. Peas have largely reached canopy closure and are beginning to flower. 

Southwest: 

• Extreme heat added stress to crops already affected by excess moisture, but the warm and drier conditions also helped saturated fields begin drying. 

• Overland flooding remains a concern along the Assiniboine River and other waterways, while wet fields have complicated fungicide applications. 

• Winter wheat and fall rye are filling grain and remain in good condition, while most spring cereals are heading. 

• Fusarium head blight risk is considered high, and many cereal fields have received fungicide treatments. 

• Canola is bolting to flowering, soybeans are flowering and recovering from moisture stress, and corn and sunflowers responded well to the recent heat. 

Northwest: 

• Hot temperatures helped standing water recede, although widespread flooding damage and infrastructure problems continue to be assessed. 

• Some crops have recovered from visible excess-moisture stress, while others remain thin, delayed or damaged in persistently wet fields. 

• Spring cereal development varies widely from tillering to heading, creating an extended window for herbicide and fungicide applications. 

• Canola ranges from four leaves to full flower, with some water-stressed fields beginning to bolt prematurely. 

• Soybean development improved in the warmer weather, with the most advanced fields reaching the beginning flowering stage. 

Central: 

• Soil moisture remains wet to optimum, and saturated fields have forced many producers to rely on aerial applicators. 

• Corn advanced rapidly to roughly V10 to V12 and is generally described as healthy and in good condition. 

• Soybeans are flowering and largely recovering from earlier iron deficiency chlorosis and excess-moisture stress. 

• Spring wheat is flowering, with fusarium head blight treatments continuing, while winter wheat and fall rye are filling grain. 

• Canola ranges from 10% to 80% flowering, and widespread sclerotinia fungicide applications are expected following recent rainfall. 

Eastern 

• Warm temperatures accelerated crop development, but wet fields continue to limit machinery access in some areas. 

• Wheat is at or just past flowering, with fusarium head blight fungicide applications continuing where timing remains suitable. 

• Corn has advanced to V10 to V12 and is generally in good condition following strong growth during the warm weather. 

• Canola ranges from 10% to 80% flowering, with sclerotinia fungicide applications underway. 

• Soybeans are flowering and recovering from earlier moisture stress, although yellowing remains in poorly drained areas. 

Interlake 

• Rainfall and warmer temperatures supported crop advancement, but low-lying fields remain saturated or flooded in parts of the South Interlake. 

• Crop development remains highly variable, with spring cereals ranging from tillering to flowering. 

• Spring wheat conditions range from poor to fair in wetter areas and good to excellent in more favourable locations. 

• Corn is generally in excellent condition, although excess moisture has caused nutrient deficiencies and uneven growth in some fields. 

• Canola ranges from six leaves to flowering, while soybeans remain less advanced and continue to show yellowing in wet areas.