The Weekly Manitoba Crop Report wraps up the year with a 95% complete harvest across the province.
As the last of the corn and sunflowers are collected, and post-harvest work is wrapping up, we can take a look back on the growing season.
A few items of note include the cooler start, the intense rains bringing 200% of normal moisture, and the noted spread of Waterhemp into new areas.
Throughout the season, moisture conditions mostly averaged out but still exceeded 100% of normal precipitation. This was paired with between 105%-115% of the average growing degree days too.
Waterhemp was identified for the first time in the rural municipalities of Macdonald, North Norfolk, Roland, Stanley, and Westlake-Gladstone.
With most of the crops off the field, we now have firm assessments of both yield and quality.
Winter wheat yields ranged from 60 to 90 bu/acre with fall rye yields ranging from 80 to 110 bu/acre with good quality for both crops.
Spring wheat yields ranged from 60 to 95 bu/acre. The quality of spring wheat in all regions is good with protein levels in the 13.5 to 15% range.
Barley yields averaged between 80 to 120 bu/acre, with some exceptions and Quality was good. Oat yields were overall good too this year reporting 110-180 bu/acre. Test weights in oats ranged between 37 to 44 lbs/bushel.
Corn yields ranged from 120 to 180 bu/acre with averages around 150 to 180 bu/acre, but is still not finished.
Canola yields were variable across the province ranging from 25 to 65 bu/acre. This was due to high moisture and humidity creating prime conditions for Verticillium, Sclerotinia, and black leg.
The majority of canola has graded at 1CAN with reports of dockage due to small/light seeds.
For Pulses and Soybeans, Most regions reported average pea yields in 2024 ranging from 40 to 60 bu/acre, and strong yields for Soybeans this year ranging from 34 to 65 bu/acre.
Dry bean yields ranged from 500 to 3000 lbs/acre. The provincial average for 2024 is expected to be slightly higher than the 5-year provincial average of 1700 lbs per acre.
In the realms of Forage and Livestock, the moisture led to some excellent pasture growth, but also issues with flies and foot rot in lower-lying areas.
Calves came off pasture in good condition. Tame hay yields were good, yielding approximately 3 tonnes/acre. However, rain showers and heavy morning dews made drying difficult. Many farms therefore chose to convert hay to round bale silage.
Sufficient amount of feed for the upcoming winter with many farms reporting a surplus of hay and silage. It is likely that feed made at the beginning of the season will be lower in quality given the incredibly wet weather experienced at that time.
Looking at the Northwest specifically, the rain seemed more a curse than a blessing at times.
The Dauphin area dealt with up to 200% of the normal rainfall, and fields became waterlogged, making seeding a challenge. Cool, wet conditions stalled seeding progress mostly in The Pas and the Dauphin/Fork River areas.
Dauphin/Ste. Rose area received a late snowstorm on May 24 which also set things back. By early July, the RM of Mossey River declared a state of agricultural disaster due to excess moisture.
Mid-July brought some heat, and proper GGD, but also a severe wind storm that lodged wheat and canola crops. The lodging caused delays in maturity that remained apparent up to the harvest period.
High temperatures in August helped to move crops along, bringing field peas to maturity by mid-August. Spring wheat and canola were quick to follow, depending on the seeding date.
A long, open fall has allowed later-maturing fields and many post-harvest activities to be completed, including baling of straw, harrowing, and herbicide and anhydrous application.
Warmer weather in September and October provided good conditions for the germination of winter cereals, although soil moisture is generally low.
Seeded winter cereal acres have increased this year and are off to a good start.
Field pea harvest was completed with average yields ranging from 45 to 60 bu/acre. Some later seeded crops were a challenge and slow to harvest. The majority of field peas have graded at 2CAN.
Spring wheat is complete with widely variable yields. Average yields were 65 to 70 bu/acre, with some poorer fields yielding 20 to 40 bu/acre.
Oats averaged 110-120 bu/acre and barley 80-95 bu/acre. The majority of cereals have graded as 1CW with some lighter oats reported.
Canola is 98% complete with varied yields based on crop conditions throughout the season as well as disease pressure. Average yields ranged from 30 to 40 bu/acre, while poorer fields yielded 8 to 20 bu/acre.
A significant presence of verticillium stripe was evident this season. The majority of canola has graded at 1CAN with reports of dockage due to small/light seeds.
The soybean harvest is 99% complete and looked good across most of the region this year. Yields ranged from 35 to 50 bu/acre. The majority of soybeans have graded at 2CAN.
With this year's harvest all but wrapped up, I'd like to send a heartfelt thank you to all the producers who have weathered the year to put food on the tables of the world.
