Manitoba seeding has advanced past the halfway mark, even as portions of the province received large amounts of precipitation.
Wednesday’s Manitoba crop report pegged seeding across the province at 57% complete, up from 33% the previous week and ahead 47% last year and 45% for the five-year average.
Manitoba received some “much-needed” precipitation over the past eight days, the report said, with amounts ranging from just 3.2 mm all the way up to 88.5 mm for the Morden area. Variable temperatures over the week resulted in mixed precipitation in some areas, including ice pellets and snow, it added.
Some overland flooding was reported in low-lying areas of fields in the Southwest region. Parts of the Interlake region also reported standing water in fields after the rainfall.
Most of the spring wheat acres have been seeded across the regions, with the Northwest sitting at 80% complete. Oats and barley are almost complete in Central, Eastern, and Interlake, with more acres still to go in the Southwest and Northwest regions. Corn is reported about halfway planted across the province, with the earliest seeded fields emerging and growing quickly due to the early accumulation of growing degree days.
Canola is estimated at 30% seeded across the province. Sunflowers are over 80% complete, with flax also sitting at close to 30%.
Field pea seeding is basically complete, at 96%. Soybeans are 40% complete across the province. A few acres of dry beans have been seeded.
Southwest:
A major rainfall event hit most of the southwest region last week, delaying seeding in most areas. There was some overland flooding in low-lying areas of the fields. Rainfall was higher in the southern parts of the region compared to the northern areas. The cool, windy weather has helped with drying but has kept most producers out of the fields.
Winter wheat and fall rye are advancing well, taking advantage of winter moisture and recent rains. However, the recent cool weather has slowed some growth. Several producers have already completed their weed control, and overall, the winter crops are in average to above-average condition. Wheat is about 85-90% complete, and the early-seeded crops have emerged, reaching the 2 to 3 leaf stage. Barley and oats are about 60% complete, with only a few fields beginning to emerge. Some corn has been planted, with about 20 to 50% complete, but no emergence has been reported yet. Peas are 100% complete, with early-seeded peas already emerged. Soybean planting was slow over the past week and is around 25-30% complete. No reports of any frost damage to crops.
Some producers have started planting canola, mostly in the southern portion of the region. Currently, less than 15% of the canola acres have been planted. Flax planting percentages are less than 10%, and sunflowers in the southern part of the region are about 20% planted.
Northwest:
High temperatures to start the week allowed for good seeding progress. Precipitation and lower temperatures towards the end of the week, paused operations. Fall Rye and Winter Wheat crops are looking good and in the tillering stage. Spring wheat seeding continued across the region and is approximately 80% complete. Earlier seeded fields are emerging. Field pea seeding is approximately 85% complete across the region. Earliest seeded fields are emerging. Soybean seeding continues and is approximately 65-70% complete.
Canola seeding is underway in the region and is approximately 25% complete. There are some early seeded fields that have emerged.
Central:
Dry, warm and windy weather conditions early in the week before rainfall allowed significant progress in field operations across the Central Region. The winds have made it challenging to carry out field operations, especially spraying. The early seeded cereals are at the two-leaf stage.
Producers are full swing into seeding canola, potato, flax, sunflowers, soybean and edible beans. The earliest seeded corn has emerged and is approaching first collar. Winter wheat and fall rye are growing rapidly, and most producers have completed fertilizer applications on these winter cereals. Winter cereal survival is generally good, with most producers reporting 80 to 90 % survival. Striped and cruciferous flea beetles are active and feeding on flixweed and emerging volunteer canola. Dingy cutworms and wireworms are active at low levels but are not a concern yet. Colorado beetles have emerged in potato.
Eastern:
Overall, the rain this past week was quite variable with differing amounts being recorded only miles apart. A smaller amount of rain fell in the further eastern part of the region where it was needed the most. Both the rain and cool temperatures delayed seeding and emergence in much of the region. Seeding is estimated at 85% complete across the region. Spring wheat, oats, and barley seeding is considered complete, with any remaining fields being planted as soon as conditions allow. Early seeded fields are at the 1-2 leaf stage with later fields emerging. Winter wheat is looking good, minimal winter kill has been reported.
Corn planting is on-going with approximately 95% complete. Producers are expected to finish up their corn acres as soon as field conditions allow. Earlier seeded corn has emerged and is in the 1-2 leaf stage. Canola seeding in the region is on-going and is estimated at 75% complete. Sunflower planting also began this week with an estimate of 50% of the planned acres in the ground.
Interlake:
The Interlake region experienced windy and rainy weather conditions this past week. Soil moisture condition is rated as adequate with some standing water in low areas of fields. Good seeding progress earlier in the week with rain delays at the end of the week. Most producers in the Southern area are almost done seeding. Producers continue to sow corn, spring wheat, oats, barley, soybeans, peas, and sunflowers.
Spring cereals are the most advanced at 90-95% complete. Early seeded spring wheat is emerging up to 1- 2 leaf stage. Winter wheat and fall rye look excellent and are well established, with promising yield potential. Canola is estimated at 50% complete, and soybeans at 65%. Producers will seed more in the next couple of days when the weather becomes favourable. Peas are 100% complete, and early seeded fields are starting to emerge. Sunflower seeding progress is at 90-95% complete. Corn is about 90% complete in most parts of the Interlake region.
