Northwest Region Crop Report Prepared by: Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives GO Teams & Crops Knowledge Centre July 15, 2013 |
Northwest Region
Weather conditions throughout the Northwest Region for the week were characterized by moderate to below seasonal temperatures, moderate wind conditions, consistently higher humidity levels, with periods of scattered light rain showers and occasional thunderstorms. General accumulations of precipitation ranged from 7 to 15 mm with higher amounts where thunderstorms occurred.
Field soil moisture conditions are drying and improving to mostly adequate levels. A higher proportion of fields with surplus moisture conditions prevail around Fork River, The Pas and flat or poorly drained sectors around Dauphin, McCreary and southeast of Roblin.
Crop development, stand consistency and crop conditions have sector variability from excellent to poor and are generally least favourable through Winnipegosis, McCreary and The Pas. Overall, cereals are rated as 75% of acres good to fair with canola at 65% good to fair. Cereals are 85% at flowering stage and canola at 75% flowering and 10% podding. In most areas, soybeans recovered well from the excess moisture. Soybeans are most advanced in the Ste. Rose area at fifth trifoliate stage and beginning to flower, while from Grandview to Fork River the ranges are from second to fourth trifoliate. There is localized water ponding in the later seeded and less advanced crops, particularly in the low-lying areas. However, some areas dried enough to allow some tillage operations to occur.
Fungicide applications on cereals, canola and soybeans are completed. Crop staging, high disease risk and wet field condition was challenging for producers. In many areas, producers increased use of aerial application to compliment ground fungicide application operations in a timely manner. In the moisture affected areas, many producers made the decision to forego fungicide treatment on all but a few remaining fields that have good yield potential.
Grasshoppers continue to require control on some cereals and newly established forage seed crops, usually on lighter soils and drier moisture conditions. Bertha armyworm moth trap counts are increasing with highest counts reported at San Clara, Makaroff and Woody River.
Hay harvest is proceeding slowly as weather and field conditions permit. High humidity increased drying times with some degradation in quality due to weathering. Overall, approximately 60 to 70% of tame forages remain standing and 10 to 15% is baled and yielding average or below average. Pastures and native hay lands in the Westlake sector are improving slowly from surplus moisture conditions. Dugout water levels are full in all areas.