Northwest Region Crop Report Prepared by: Manitoba Agriculture
September 10, 2019 |

Northwest Region

Light, scattered showers throughout the region were just enough to slow harvest operations. Heavier rainfall events occurred at The Pas with 13 mm received from almost daily showers. Other areas in the region received 5 to 8mm of rain through the week. The weekend brought highs of up to 25○ C however, there were also cool nighttime temperatures resulting in heavy morning dew further slowing harvest progress. Unsettled cool, wet weather continued to challenge harvest progress; the best estimate is less than 30% of the crop is combined.

Field pea harvest is virtually complete around Roblin however, 15% of field peas remain standing in the Swan River area with reported yields of 40 to 80 bu/ac. Around Roblin, the winter wheat harvest is complete. The spring wheat crop is generally ripe in the region however, the recent wet weather has caused some sprouting and dry weather is needed for the grain to dry down and harvest to resume. Around Roblin, 15% of the red spring wheat is harvested, 5% of fields are swathed with 80% of fields just waiting on better weather to harvest. In the Swan River area, combining of spring cereals has begun with estimates of 20% of the oats and wheat harvested and 80% standing. Spring wheat yields have been reported in the range of 50 to 70 bu/ac. The canola crop continues to mature throughout the region. There has been a start to the harvest of canola around Swan River with 5% combined. With the exception of Dauphin where operations are further ahead, 40 to 50% of canola in the region is in the swath. Better weather is needed to mature the soybean crop with 100% of fields still standing.

Many producers are thinking of culling cows and reducing herd sizes due to the extreme shortage in winter feed supplies in the areas north of Dauphin, and near Ste. Rose and Alonsa areas. Second cut was disappointing in anticipated yields so shortfall is larger than expected. Although recent precipitation was received in much of the area, this was not timely and little to no re-growth has occurred on hay fields and pastures. Many producers have been supplementing on pastures.

Grasshoppers continue to be a problem, although recent rains seem to have been slowing them down. Corn silage yields are yet to be determined however, the recent rains will assist in cob fill. Nitrates are of concern due to the hot dry conditions over the summer growing period, and now the threat and scattered reports of frost in the Rorketon area. Pasture water sources have not improved significantly from the rain because the moisture infiltrated the soil quickly and resulted in no runoff. The Rural Municipality of Mossey River has been added to the municipalities declaring a local state of emergency.

In the Roblin and Swan River areas with frequent showers this past week, annual crop harvest was halted as well as the baling of straw, and greenfeed. However, producers were able harvest annual crops as chopped or round bale silage. The recent moisture has greened up pastures and has prevented further drops in dugout levels. Second-cut alfalfa regrowth on fields first cut in late July remains slow. Corn silage harvest remains several weeks away.