Week 20 of the Manitoba Crop Report saw a lot of rain throughout the week, slowing some seeding down, but not falling too far behind on the 5-year average.
Even the driest location in our area, Swan Valley, still saw 9 mm of rain, with Reedy Creek topping the chart at 67.8 mm.
Despite the rain, Provincial seeding progress is about 47% complete, slightly behind the 5-Year average of 52% for week 20.
Producers have focused on planting corn, which is 65% complete, cereals, at 70% complete and peas nearly done at 90% complete.
Canola planting has just started with roughly 20% of the acres planted.
Soil temperatures were adequately warm and the seeding of more sensitive crop types such as soybeans has begun, currently at 34% completion.
However, The Interlake region is behind other areas due to recent rains and sits at 30% complete.
Winter cereal fertilizer applications are complete with field survival at 85-95% and only a few fields terminated. Winter cereal stands are growing rapidly.
Spring wheat and barley are sitting at 77% complete across the province with the Central region being the most advanced at 85% complete. Early planted fields are in the 3 to 4 leaf stage.
Canola is about 1/5th complete, and Sunflowers are at 26% complete, but a slower start to oilseeds is noticeable from this moisture.
Field pea planting is at 90% completion across the province. The Interlake region however is only at 45% complete due to recent rains. Most of the pea acres in Manitoba are grown in the West and Northwest regions.
The rain was great news for livestock producers though, as Nearly all creeks, streams, dugouts, and sloughs have refilled to capacity.
Cattle feed levels hold for most producers, and many have put cows out to pasture to get them out of the muddy conditions.
Some cattle are being turned out to pasture where there is carryover forage or turned out with supplemental feed. More cattle will go out over the next 7 to 10 days. Producers want to ensure forage growth is adequate, 5-6” tall, before grazing.
As well, calving season is nearly wrapped up, but there's been an abundance of ticks, as well as the first few mosquitos. Both of which are sure to be a nuisance.
In the Northwest Region, some seeding took place bumping our region to 40-45% complete. Field peas are nearly complete for seeding at 90% in our area, with some of the earliest planted fields emerging.
Precipitation came primarily in rain, but also in the form of hail in some areas. The highest accumulated precipitation amounts were in Reedy Creek and The Pas with 67 and 59mm, respectively.
Spring wheat seeding continues and is approximately 75% complete, and the earliest seeded wheat that has emerged, growing nicely.
Barley and oat seeding is approximately 30% complete. Canola seeding is 25% and soybean is 15% complete.
Winter wheat and fall rye crops are growing nicely, with a small amount of winterkill.
The weeds and volunteers are also growing though. Luckily, there have been some fair conditions for spraying Herbicides to help manage this issue.
This week should hopefully hold a little less rain so seeding can kick into high gear. Some cooler temperatures hopefully won't cause issues, as Thursday is forecasting 0 over night.
