Manitoba Crop Report

Manitoba Agriculture says approximately 95% of all crops are harvested, with a rapid push to complete soybean harvest driving percentage completion this week, together with a strong start to corn and sunflower harvest.

Sunflower yields appear to be on track for an average to above average crop, but seed sizing is yet to be determined on confectionary crops.

Grain corn harvest is underway, with grain moisture between 20 to 26%, limiting artificial drying time.

The absence of a killing frost has extended green regrowth on crop stubble, leading to a field management dilemma for some farms attempting to conserve soil moisture.

Soils remain dry to very dry in the top 30cm, causing thick dust to hang over rural areas where harvest and fieldwork is occurring, especially towards evening.

Total accumulated growing degree-days (GDD) have reached a high in Manitoba of 2039 GDD at Morden, followed by Winkler (2011) and Deerwood (1964). Minnedosa has received the greatest increase over normal GDD accumulation at 122% of normal, while Birch River is the lowest in Manitoba at 96%.

Fall fertilization has started in earnest in the Central and Eastern regions, with some producers proceeding with anhydrous ammonia application, while others are waiting for soil temperatures to drop.