Crop Report: Issue 1, April 23, 2012

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Weekly Provincial Summary

Manitoba's winter wheat crop is rated as good. Although many acres were seeded into less than ideal stubble and lower than normal snowfall was received, moderate temperatures allowed majority of winter wheat acres to survive the winter with minimal winterkill or injury. Fertilization of winter wheat is nearing completion.

Adequate soil moisture levels for germination and stand establishment are noted across the majority of the province. There are some isolated areas reporting dry topsoil conditions. However, this is not preventing producers from seeding.

Seeding progress is 1 to 10% complete in the Central Region, 10% complete in the Eastern Region and just underway in the Southwest, Northwest and Interlake Regions. Majority of acres seeded have been spring wheat with some acres of oats, barley, peas and canola seeded to date. It is expected the earlier seeded cereal acres should emerge shortly.

Recent precipitation did slow field activity across Manitoba but with favourable weather conditions, a large number of acres should be seeded in all regions in the coming week.

Southwest Region | Northwest Region | Central Region | Eastern Region | Interlake Region

Southwest Region

Precipitation in the form of rain and snow fell throughout the Southwest Region over the past week. Accumulation amounts ranged from 5 to 25 mm; most areas received 20 mm. Most areas in the region have adequate soil moisture levels for germination and stand establishment.

The winter wheat crop experienced minimal winterkill and cool temperatures in April have not impacted the crop. Fertilizing of winter wheat is 90% complete and producers will start weed control measures over the next week.

Seeding of cereals and peas has started in most areas with less than 5% of the acres planted.

Winter annual weeds have started to grow with producers looking at control methods either before or after seeding.

Cool temperatures have slowed pasture growth and recent rains have helped. Most producers report sufficient feed supplies until cattle are moved to pasture.

Northwest Region

The Northwest Region received intermittent rain or snow fall over the past weekend. Crop, pasture and hayland's topsoil moisture conditions are rated as adequate. Exceptions exist at The Pas where wet soil conditions affect more than half the area; localized areas near Ste. Rose and Fork River also remains wet.

Fall seeded crops including winter wheat has survived the winter with minimal winterkill despite lower than normal snow cover. Overnight temperatures of minus 12 degrees Celsius have only affected the tips of new leaf growth in a few fields.

Seeding of wheat, canola and fababeans has begun in the Ste. Rose, Dauphin and the Gilbert Plains areas. However, most field operations have been limited to harrowing, anhydrous application and rock picking. With a favourable weather outlook, current soil conditions should allow for all spring operations to begin in earnest shortly.

Pasture and forage growth is beginning to develop. Lands affected by excess moisture and flooding in 2011 are responding slowly.

Central Region

The Central Region saw cooler weather and rain showers last week; most of the region received 5 to 10 mm of precipitation while western areas received 20 mm. Most areas report adequate to excellent soil moisture but there are isolated areas that have dry topsoil conditions.

Winter wheat and fall rye crops look excellent with little to no winterkill. Fertilizer applications are complete.

Soil conditions are allowing for good seedbed preparation. Some producers are seeding deeper in order to place seed into moisture. The estimated average for seeding progress in the region ranges from 1 to 10% complete; it is noted a few producers have all their cereals acres seeded.

Spring wheat seeding is occurring throughout the region with the most progress seen in the eastern areas. An estimated 10 to 25% of the spring wheat acres are seeded. Minimal oat and canola acres have been seeded and producers plan to start seeding barley this week. Other field operations occurring throughout the region include cultivation and fertilizer applications. Although recent precipitation did slow field activity, it is expected substantial acres will be seeded this week if weather conditions permit.

Some earlier planted spring wheat seed is sitting in cold ground, swollen but not germinated. It is expected those acres should emerge this week.

Fields are starting to green with weed growth and more pre-seed burndown will take place going forward.

Forages are just starting to grow. Winter survival has generally been excellent, with little to no excess moisture damage.

Dugouts are full or close to full in most of the region but are lower in the Portage, Gladstone and Treherne areas.

Eastern Region

The Eastern Region received rainfall over the past week but the events were isolated in nature and varied from very light showers to almost 24 mm in accumulation. Topsoil moisture levels on crop land in the Eastern Region are drier than in past years. While a large portion of cropland is rated as adequate for top soil moisture, there are areas of the region that would benefit from additional precipitation.

Both winter wheat and fall rye crops are rated as being in good condition with winterkills levels noted as 5% or less. New growth in some winter wheat fields has been noted. Fertilizer applications, which had been going on for the last two weeks, were wrapping up by the end of the week.

Spring seeding progress is estimated at 10% complete. Spring wheat is 10 to 20% complete and 10% of those seeded acres has emerged. Barley is 10% complete with oats at 5% complete. Limited canola acres have been seeded while seeding of field peas is 10 to 20% complete. Seeding is expected to become general this week with rapid progress anticipated if weather conditions are favourable. In some southern districts of the region, a few growers have finished seeding cereals last week and were waiting for warmer temperatures in order to continue seeding other crop types. Minimal frost damage has been noted on fall seeded cereals and forage seed crops.

Hayland conditions range from good to fair while pastureland conditions range from fair to poor. Topsoil moisture conditions on hay and pasture lands are drier when compared to cropland. Livestock water availability is adequate in some areas of the region while other areas have noted lower levels.

Interlake Region

Cooler, seasonal temperatures prevailed over the past week in the Interlake Region. Precipitation amounts varied, ranging from trace showers to 9 mm of rain in parts of South Interlake.

Winter wheat crops look good and most fields have been fertilized. The mild winter was favourable for winter wheat acres that were planted into fields that had minimal stubble for a snow catch.

A few grain producers have started seeding their 2012 crop. Seeding of cereal crops is expected to start throughout the Interlake Region this week as temperatures improve and weather permits.

Growth in pastures and hayfields will improve with forecasted warmer temperatures. On-farm feeding continues with some cattle being moved to pastures.