Manitoba planting has jumped to about one-third complete, but things are drying out.
The latest weekly crop report pegged planting across the province at about 32% complete as of Tuesday, up from just 8% a week earlier. That is 3 points ahead of last year’s pace and 8 points ahead of the five-year average.
Precipitation was variable across Manitoba the past week, but with most regions receiving less than 3 mm. The Boissevain area received the largest amount at 12.5 mm. Accumulations in most areas of the province are far below normal - less than 50% - since May 1, the report said, noting that recent wildfires in northern Manitoba have significantly impacted areas around The Pas, causing ‘extensive damage’ to pastures and fence lines.
Spring wheat, oat, and barley planting is almost complete in the Southwest, Central, Eastern and Interlake regions, the report said, with corn planting seeing a major jump in the Central, Eastern, and Interlake regions. The earliest planted corn acres are expected to emerge next week, it added.