Northwest Region Crop Report Prepared by: Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development May 25, 2015 |

Northwest Region

There was no recordable precipitation in any areas of the Northwest Region over the past week. Day time temperatures were warm with no reports of frost. Soil conditions are variable throughout the region with excessive moisture experienced in some localized pockets and dry conditions in other areas. Crop damage from freezing temperatures, wind and excessive moisture in the previous week resulted in reseeding of some early seeded canola crops. Some reseeding due to wind damage is also reported in the Swan River district.

Good seeding progress was made throughout the Northwest Region over the past week with progress estimated at 95% complete. Approximately 95% of the cereal acres are seeded and 75% of those acres have emerged. About 90% of the canola crop is seeded, with approximately 30% of the acres emerged. Both flax and field peas are at 95% planted with emergence at 50% of the acres. For soybeans, progress is at 85% complete, while corn planting is 80% complete. Many corn fields for silage are also planted. Crop emergence to date is uniform.

Weed growth is general throughout most parts of the region. Annual weeds that are beginning to appear in field crops include wild oats, hemp nettle and cleavers, as well as perennial weeds including Canada thistle, sow thistle and dandelions.

Flea beetle activity continues to cause concern in some parts of the region, particularly the Swan Valley where feeding damage is severe on canola plants recovering from frost injury. Post-emergent control measures for flea beetles are necessary in some cases.

Forages and pastures are progressing in growth due to the welcomed heat over the past week. Supplemental feed is still being offered to cattle on pastures. Water supply is rated as good to excellent on all pastures.