Isolated rainfall and storm events brought both relief and delays to Manitoba farmers once again this past week, as harvest progress reached 4% complete across the province. Rainfall accumulations ranged from 4.0 mm to more than 100 mm, with the highest totals at Minitonas, which received 107.4 mm, including nearly 38 mm in just four hours on Aug. 17.
The Central Region led harvesting at 7% complete as of Monday, followed by the Interlake at 6%. The Eastern Region was 4% complete, the Southwest 2%, and the Northwest 1%. Provincewide, winter wheat and fall rye were both 52% harvested, while barley was 8%, oats 4%, spring wheat 6%, and peas 19%. Early seeded canola harvesting has also begun in the Central region.
Winter wheat yields ranged from 40 to 90 bushels per acre depending on rainfall, while fall rye yields were generally 60 to 90 bu/acre, with some hybrids producing as high as 135 bu/acre. Spring wheat yields are emerging in the 45 to 75 bu/acre range, with generally good quality. Early yield reports for peas average 60 bu/acre
In the Central Region, preliminary canola yields are 45 to 55 bu/acre.
In the Southwest, rainfall benefitted later crops but slowed harvest. Yields for winter cereals are average to slightly below average, with spring cereals maturing and some lodging reported. Canola is in pod-fill, with swathing underway in early-seeded fields.
The Northwest saw rainfall delay harvest. Fall rye and winter wheat harvest is progressing, with peas nearing maturity and harvest already underway in Swan Valley. Spring wheat is mostly in hard dough, with some lodging caused by storms.
In the Central Region, harvest is well underway, with strong winter wheat and rye yields in moisture-rich areas but reduced results on lighter soils. Early reports show oat yields of 110 to 150 bu/acre and spring wheat between 45 and 60 bu/acre. Canola, flax, peas and barley harvest has begun, though rains have temporarily stalled activity.
The Eastern Region is close to completing winter cereals, with yields varying widely from 45 to 90 bu/acre. Early spring wheat harvests are yielding 45 to 60 bu/acre, mostly No. 1 quality but with small kernels.
In the Interlake, rainfall slowed progress but supported later crops. Winter wheat yields are 50 to 60 bu/acre and rye 70 to 110 bu/acre. Spring wheat harvest has started, yielding 55 to 75 bu/acre with 12–15% protein. Barley yields range 70 to 80 bu/acre, while oats are producing 90 to 140 bu/acre.
