Manitoba Planting Advances; Remains Ahead of Average Pace

Manitoba producers made just minor seeding advances this past week, although overall progress remains ahead of last year and the five-year average. 

The weekly provincial crop report pegged seeding at 8% complete as of Tuesday, up 5 points from a week earlier and ahead of 4% last year and 6% on average.  

Almost half the spring wheat acres in the Central and Interlake regions have been seeded, the report said, with other regions progressing quickly. Seeding of oats and barley has begun in the Southwest, Central, Eastern, and Interlake regions. 

Canola planting has started in the Central region. Sunflowers have also started to be seeded in the Central and Interlake regions. Field peas are being seeded in all regions, while soybean crops are being planted in the Central, Eastern, and Interlake regions.  

Manitoba received variable amounts of precipitation over the past four days, ranging from 0 mm to 12.7 mm with most regions receiving less than 0.5 mm. 

Southwest: 

Good weather over the past week has given producers an opportunity to accelerate their seeding operations. Most of the seeding activity has occurred in the southern parts of the region, although there has been some in northern areas including Rivers, Oak River, and Rapid City. Overall, seedbed conditions are good, and soil moisture is at an optimal level across most of the region. Winter wheat and fall rye are coming out of dormancy and are looking healthy.