Manitoba Seeding Near Done Amid Extreme Weather Events 

Amid ‘unprecedented weather events,’ Manitoba seeding inched slightly closer to completion this past week. 

Tuesday’s weekly crop report showed seeding across the province at 96% complete, up just 3 points from a week earlier but near 100% last year and the five-year average of 99%. 

Severe, long-lived thunderstorms swept across southern Manitoba and the Interlake on June 9 and 10, bringing damaging winds, hail, intense lightning, extreme rainfall and tornadoes. Two tornadoes were confirmed June 9, including one near Ste. Anne and another near Dufrost. 

Record-setting rainfall inundated parts of the southern Interlake and Eastern regions, damaging roads and other infrastructure, swelling rivers, flooding basements and fields, disrupting power and prompting states of emergency in more than 10 municipalities. Stonewall, Petersfield, Teulon, Woodlands, Dugald and Elie were among the hardest-hit communities. 

Stonewall received 233.8 mm of rain over 24 hours and 69.1 mm in a single hour. Petersfield recorded 28.5 mm in just 15 minutes, while a maximum wind gust of 114 km/h was measured at Argue. Stonewall was also the wettest location over the seven-day period at 266.9 mm, followed by Dugald at 105.6 mm and Elie at 91.2 mm. 

Since May 1, large portions of the Northwest, Interlake and Eastern regions have received more than 80 mm of precipitation. Parts of the Northwest are above 150% of normal, while areas near Stonewall have surpassed 250%. By contrast, much of the Southwest remains below 70% of normal. 

Crop development continued despite the difficult conditions. Winter cereals were generally in good condition and approaching heading, while spring cereals were mostly tillering. Corn ranged from the V2 to V4 stages, although excess moisture caused uneven growth and nutrient deficiencies in some fields. 

Canola ranged from emergence to the two- or three-leaf stage, with the earliest fields nearing four leaves. Seeding remained only about 75% complete in the Northwest. Soybeans ranged from the unifoliate to second-trifoliate stages, while field peas were generally at the fifth- to sixth-node stage. 

Southwest 

• Cool, windy weather persisted, with gusts reaching nearly 120 km/h during a major wind event. Corn and cereal crops showed wind stress, while minor hail damage was reported in soybeans near Reston. 

• Rainfall was highly variable, with northern areas receiving the most precipitation. Standing water remains in low-lying fields, and some canola fields have developed crusting and soil-compaction issues. 

• Seeding is complete across the region, and most crops have emerged. Few fields are expected to require reseeding despite recent heavy rainfall. 

• Spring cereals are tillering, corn is at the V3–V4 stage and winter cereals are approaching the flag-leaf or heading stages. Some corn is showing possible sulfur deficiencies linked to cool soils. 

• Canola ranges from emergence onward, sunflowers are at V2–V4, soybeans range from emergence to V1 and peas are more than eight inches tall and beyond the five-node stage. 

Northwest 

• Wet conditions remain the main challenge as floodwaters recede and saturated fields slowly dry. Weekly rainfall ranged from 7.4 mm at Amaranth to 54.4 mm at Rorketon. 

• Flooding in areas such as the Swan Valley and Minitonas caused erosion, silt deposits, washouts, soil movement and excess-moisture damage. Road and infrastructure damage has also delayed field access and herbicide applications. 

• Limited seeding progress was made where fields were accessible. Spring wheat is approximately 85%–90% seeded, while canola is about 75% complete. 

• Field pea and soybean seeding are complete. Peas range from the seedling to V5 stage, while soybeans are between the unifoliate and first-trifoliate stages. 

• Spring wheat ranges from emergence to pre-tillering, and canola ranges from emergence to the four-leaf stage. Further seeding or reseeding will depend heavily on fields drying in time. 

Central 

• Saturated soils and standing water remain in low-lying areas following severe thunderstorms, particularly in the northeast and the RM of Cartier. Elie received 91.2 mm of rain during the week. 

• Most other fields have dried enough for operations to resume, although crop injury has been observed following heavy rain, hail and prolonged waterlogging. 

• Cooler temperatures slowed crop development slightly but may have helped submerged crops withstand moisture stress by reducing oxygen demand. 

• Spring cereals are mainly tillering, corn is at V2–V4 and winter cereals are approaching the flag-leaf or heading stages. Excess moisture has caused uneven corn growth and some nutrient deficiencies. 

• Canola ranges from cotyledon to the two- or three-leaf stage, with early fields near four leaves. Soybeans range from unifoliate to second trifoliate, while peas are mainly at the fifth- to sixth-node stage. 

Eastern 

• Rainfall ranged from 28 mm to more than 85 mm, with Beausejour reporting the highest total. Standing water remains in drains and low areas, although levels are gradually receding. 

• Saturated soils have halted many field operations, including in-crop herbicide applications. Crop losses are expected in some flooded low spots, particularly in canola fields. 

• Cool, cloudy weather has reduced additional crop stress and may improve the chances of crops recovering as excess water drains away. 

• Winter cereals generally remain in good condition, with fall rye beginning to head. Early wheat is at the four-leaf and two- to three-tiller stage, although yellowing is evident in wetter areas. 

• Corn is mostly at V2–V3, canola is at the three- to four-leaf stage and early soybeans are at the first- to second-trifoliate stage. Canola is showing the greatest moisture stress, while soybeans appear better able to tolerate the wet conditions. 

Interlake 

• Heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, high winds, flooding and localized hail caused widespread damage ranging from minor to severe across farmland in the region. 

• Localized flooding arrived during a critical period for completing seeding and carrying out in-crop herbicide applications, significantly limiting field access. 

• Seeding was estimated at 99% complete before the major storms. Spring wheat, oats, barley and corn were largely planted, although some canola and soybean acres remained unfinished. 

• Early-seeded cereals have reached stem elongation, while corn is generally at the V2–V3 stage. 

• Further crop development and the completion of outstanding fieldwork will depend on drier, more favourable weather.