Northwest Region Crop Report Prepared by: Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives GO Teams & Crops Knowledge Centre June 24, 2013 |

Northwest Region
Variable weather conditions continued through the week in the Northwest Region with periods of higher winds, at or below seasonal temperatures, and scattered thundershowers. By the week’s end, all areas of the region were affected by rains and heavy thunderstorms with precipitation amounts from 75 to 125 mm. Producers in the Westlake area from Eddystone to Meadow to Portage report receiving up to 190 mm of rain. In the more affected sectors, flooding and some damage to infrastructure and roads is limiting access to livestock, pasture and fields.

Crop development, stand consistency and crop conditions have been good. Cereals are rated to 80% as excellent to good; canola at 75% good to excellent. Cereals crop development are 10% at stem elongation and 75% at tillering stages; canola at 55% rosette, and 45% seedling; and 65% of the soybeans are at 2 to 3 trifoliate staging. Crop staging is variable by area within the region; most advanced crop development is seen through Roblin and Russell areas and is less advanced through Winnipegosis and McCreary. At The Pas, crops are beginning to yellow from the excessive moisture received over the last two weeks. With the recent rainfall, some localized water ponding in crops, forages and pastures is now evident in all areas of the region and particularly in the low-lying areas. Soil moisture conditions are now rated as adequate to surplus. The Pas and Westlake areas are in surplus condition.

Herbicide applications continued between some difficult weather conditions and is 85% completed overall. Efficacy on weeds generally has been very good, although some additional applications were required due to timing and rate issues. Left for completion of weed control applications are the late seeded acres through pockets within the region.

Canola insect trap counts continue to be very low. Low numbers of European Skipper larvae were observed in a few mixed hay fields.

Condition of forage and pasture land are rated as good to fair; yields are expected to be average or below average. Moisture supply is adequate to surplus and some warmer temperatures are needed to increase grass yields. Hay harvest is very limited to date; some initial cuts just before the rain were not baled and remain in the wet field conditions. Pastures and native hay lands in the Westlake sector are wet, particularly on low-lying lands near the lakes. Dugout water levels are full to adequate.