Northwest Region Crop Report Prepared by: Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development October 6, 2014 |

Northwest Region

Unsettled weather conditions prevailed throughout the Northwest Region over the past week resulting in slow harvest progress. General rains and showers at the start of the week contributed to already wet field conditions in localized areas of the region and continued to challenge producers in the Ste. Rose, McCreary and Dauphin areas where a number of fields are unable to support harvest equipment. Windy conditions over the weekend caused some canola swaths to move slightly. The Pas received snow Sunday night.

The wheat harvest is estimated at 70% complete, with a range from approximately 30% combined in the McCreary area to 99% in the Swan Valley. Reported wheat yields range between 40 and 70 bu/acre of average quality grain.

About 85% of the canola crop is swathed and 35 to 40% is combined. Reported canola yields range from 20 bu/acre to over 40 bu/acre. The quality of canola harvested to date is reported to be good.

The majority of the soybean and flax acres are still standing with harvest of soybeans getting underway in the Ste Rose and Roblin areas and to a lesser degree in the Swan River area. Harvest of field peas is complete with an average yield of 40 bu/acre and good quality. Although combining was slow, producers were able to carry out tillage operations in many parts of the region. A couple of weeks of favorable harvest weather would allow producers to finish this year’s harvest.

Greenfeed harvest is continuing, with dry down continuing to be slow. Some second cut alfalfa remains on fields waiting for proper drying. Cows are still on pasture; however, with frost in many areas growth has slowed and supplemental feeding is occurring.