Crop Report

 

The Southwest Region received precipitation over the past week with most areas receiving 15 to 30 mm.  The precipitation was timely as majority of crop had been planted, and many acres were seeded into drier soil conditions.

 

Overall, seeding progress is 95% complete. Cereal crop seeding is almost complete; only remaining acres are silage or greenfeed crops and fields that remain wet. Early seeded cereals are in the 4 to 5 leaf stage and producers are starting to spray.

 

Some earlier seeded canola has emerged and has its first and second true leaves. Some reports of flea beetle feeding but recent rains and good growing conditions should benefit the crop. The remainder of the canola crop should be planted this week depending on rainfall.

 

Seeding of soybeans is about 80% complete with some of the early seeded fields just starting to emerge. Peas are progressing well and several fields are being sprayed.

 

Winter cereal crops are in the flag leaf to early heading stage. Crops are showing effects of the cool, dry conditions early in the season which may impact yield potential.

 

Forage crops are progressing well and the recent rainfall will help both hay and pasture land. Dugouts are approximately 70% full.

 

Temperatures and rainfall amounts were extremely variable throughout the Northwest Region over the past week. Rainfall amounts varied from 0 to 50 mm of precipitation; the higher amounts were recorded in the Ste Rose/Dauphin areas. Soil moisture is also variable; moisture is adequate in some parts of the region, excessive in localized areas in the southern part of the region, and some areas in the northern part of the region would benefit from rainfall.

 

Overall, seeding progress in the Northwest Region is estimated to be 95% complete. Approximately 95% of the wheat crop has been seeded and about 90% of it has emerged or is in the seedling and tillering stage. Emergence has been uniform. Ninety percent of the canola crop is seeded with approximately 55% of the crop nicely emerged. Ninety-five percent of the corn crop has been planted, with majority of acres planned for silage purposes. Most acres of soybeans, field peas and flax are seeded and emerging uniformly.

 

Herbicide treatments have begun and will continue once field conditions allow and crops reach the proper stage for application. There continue to be reports of flea beetle activity in some canola fields throughout the region, but injury caused has been minimal. There are reports of cutworms at and above threshold levels in canola and field peas in the Swan Valley. Diamondback moth monitoring trap populations have been highest in The Pas and Swan Valley areas.

 

The majority of hay fields and pastures are in good condition as a result of increased growth this past week. With recent spotty thundershowers and rainfall, there are still some areas that would benefit from some rain. Cows are being hauled to pasture. Livestock water supply is adequate.

 

Rainfall was general over the entire Central Region, but variable between locations. Most areas report 25 to 40 mm of rainfall, but there were total accumulations up to 100 mm in some areas due to bands of heavy thunderstorms. All areas in the region now have adequate to excessive moisture. With standing water in some fields, and drainage ditches full, producers are apprehensive about this week’s weather forecast. Good drying conditions would be beneficial, especially for the heavier clay soil types.

 

Seeding is reported to be almost complete in the Central Region. Some reseeding of canola was done due to frost and/or wind damage; emergence is rapid with warmer temperatures and moisture.

 

Cereals are growing rapidly and most fields are tillering. The most advanced are up to the 6 leaf stage. Seed in the equipment tracks is now germinating, and crop staging will be variable as a result. Herbicide treatments continue as field and weather conditions allow.

 

Seeding of canola is almost complete; very few fields remain to be seeded or reseeded. The crop is emerging rapidly and earlier seeded fields are filling in with the recent moisture. Later germinating plants will result in variable crop staging within fields. Flea beetle pressure is reported as a concern in fields that saw delayed germination; some fields require treatment.

 

Corn planting is complete, although some silage corn acres may still be planted. Growth is rapid with the recent moisture and warmer temperatures; staging ranges from emerging to four leaf stage. Sunflowers are emerging to two leaf stage. Most of the soybeans are seeded, with only a few fields remaining. Crops are emerging to the unifoliate stage. Peas have advanced well, with many in the six node stage and at the end of the window for Group 2 herbicide application. Plants are fairly short due to the earlier cool temperatures and dry soil conditions. Edible beans continue to be seeded.

 

Herbicide applications are complete in winter wheat. Most fields are elongating, with some crop starting to head out.

Weed growth has been rapid with the recent moisture and warmer temperatures. Herbicide applications will be a challenge, due to timing and field conditions.

 

Diamondback moth numbers to date are generally low. Some cutworm activity has been reported, with some fields requiring treatment of affected areas. There are no reports of significant disease pressure in crops to date. Some tan spot is noted in spring wheat fields.

 

Forages are growing quickly with alfalfa in early bud stage and up to 58 cm in height. With the recent rainfall, forage growth is adequate on pastures to meet cattle requirements. Livestock water supply is adequate.

 

 

Across the Eastern Region, rainfall accumulation for the week ranged from 20 to 50 mm with higher amounts occurring in southern and western areas. Intermittent rain showers occurred over last week and delayed the last of the seeding and halted progress on spraying. Producers appreciated the rainfall as field conditions were drier than desired but are concerned about the forecast of rainfall for this week. A return to drier and sunny weather is needed to complete field operations given that warm soil temperatures have led to rapid crop and weed emergence and development. Across the region, crop conditions are rated as good at this time. Some areas of standing water are noted in districts that received higher amounts of rainfall last week but the extent of crop damage is limited to date.

 

Across the Eastern Region, seeding progress is at 98% complete. Planting of spring cereals is complete with the majority of the crop in the 2 to 4 leaf stage. Canola seeding is complete with about 75% of acres in the first true leaf stage and the rest emerging. Ninety-five percent of soybean acres have been seeded with the crop either emerging or in the first unifoliate leaf stage. The remaining acres of soybean may be switched to other crops such as canola if seeding operations do not resume soon. Seeding is complete for field peas, sunflowers and grain corn. Field peas and sunflowers are in the seedling stage while corn is in the V1 to V3 growth stages. Winter wheat is at stem elongation.

 

First pass spraying of cereals, canola, corn, field peas and soybeans has begun. Producers are concerned about crop and weed staging if spraying operations do not resume soon.

 

Cutworms were found in a few fields of various crops but with low numbers and patchy distribution, control measures were not needed.

 

Across the region, the majority of hay land is rated in good condition with 25% of pasture land rated excellent, 50% rated good and 25% rated fair. Availability of livestock water is adequate and dugouts are full.

 

Scattered showers were experienced throughout the Interlake Region over the past week, with rainfall amounts ranging from 5 to 38 mm.

 

Seeding progress in the Interlake Region is 90 to 95% complete. Most cereals have emerged and are nearing the stage for weed control. Most winter wheat fields are sprayed and plants are in the stem elongation stage. Spring seeded fields throughout the Interlake Region will be sprayed with herbicide this week, as field conditions allow. Soybean staging varies in the region from cotyledon to unifoliate stages. Corn and sunflowers fields are starting to emerge as well. Forage seed fields continue to develop and will be sprayed for weed control in the weeks to come.

 

Diamondback moth counts have been monitored for the last two weeks with no significant numbers reported.

 

Warm temperatures and scattered rains have encouraged hay and pasture development and growth of forages. Alfalfa is in the late vegetative to early bud stage. Cattle are being hauled to native and tame pastures and pastures, which are rated in good to excellent condition. There is adequate water for livestock to drink.