Crop Report Prepared by: Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives GO Teams & Crops Knowledge Centre
May 28, 2012 |

Northwest Region

Below seasonal temperatures, northerly winds and precipitation amounts from 30 to 75 mm of rain/light snowfall predominated through the Northwest Region. Soil moisture levels vary from adequate to wet with ponding in some fields. Higher amounts of moisture impacted the northern areas through Swan River.

Seeding progress remains at approximately 95% complete as little progress was made over the past week. Wheat development ranges from 75% of the seeded acres in the emerging to seedling stage and 25% in the tillering stages. Canola development is at 45% emerging and 40% at various early seedling stages. In some cases, canola fields saw variable emergence due to either crusting or deep seeding into dry soils. The unsettled weather conditions and the very light frost mid-week has slowed rate of plant growth and development. However, no frost damage has been reported.

Weed development has also slowed. In-crop herbicide treatments on spring wheat have just begun. Limited pre-seed and pre-germination herbicide burn-off applications continue. There also is an increase in the number ofreports, scattered across the Region, of flea beetle control on early-seeded canola.

Forage and pasture growth continues slowly. Moisture levels are rated as good to wet in some areas and warmer temperatures are needed for continued growth. More livestock are being moved to pasture.