Northwest Region Crop Report Prepared by: Manitoba Agriculture
July 13, 2021 |
Northwest Region
A cooler start to the week followed by intense heat for a number of days continued to cause crop stress and deplete soil moisture throughout the Northwest Region. Temperatures reached the mid 30’s for multiple days last week. These high temperatures are advancing the crop quickly. The effects of the continued dry conditions and intense heat is readily apparent in fields throughout the northwest region; bare patches, stunted growth and generally poor conditions are evident in fields. A storm moved through the region Sunday/Monday that resulted in 5-18mm of precipitation in the Swan River and The Pas areas; this helped ease conditions somewhat in those locations. The storm also brought strong winds that caused some lodging in cereals. The accumulated rainfall as a percent of long-term normal is lowest in areas around Dauphin/Ste. Rose in the southeastern parts of the region. Soil moisture is rated as 75% in the categories of short/very short especially on lighter soils.
Spring cereals across the region are heading out with 75% in the milk stage. Cereals are still rated at 70% in good condition, as they have been better able to withstand the challenging conditions. Yield potential of the cereal crop is still positive. Winter wheat and fall rye are turning in the Roblin and Dauphin areas.
Canola across the region is very variable with about 50% of the canola crop in the region rated as good with the remainder in fair to poor condition. The canola is patchy, shorter than normal, stagey and many fields have bare spots. These effects are the result of dry conditions, insect feeding, spring frost and wind. The majority of the canola is flowering with some of the later seeded or reseeded crops still bolting. The hot weather has resulted in some flower abortion in canola. The peas are still flowering and starting to pod and fill; the soybeans are flowering.
Some fungicide applications are taking place as the correct stages are reached and conditions allow. Bertha Armyworm monitoring continues across the region. The moths are starting show up in some traps, however; cumulative trap count numbers remain in the low risk category. Grasshopper activity has been increasing in the area, especially in pastures and hayfields. Where these fields have been hayed or sprayed, grasshoppers are moving into crops and some control has been required in crops.
Although the hot temperatures and dry conditions have allowed producers to make good progress on haying, hay fields, annual forages and pastures are suffering. Pasture, native hay, and late seeded greenfeed appear to be the hardest hit by the moisture shortage.
Hay yields are variable with early reports indicating below normal production at 1/3 to 2/3 of normal. Green feed harvest has begun around Dauphin with lower yields expected as well.
Grasshoppers remain an issue particularly in the Winnipegosis/Sifton/Fork River areas where producers have had to spray several times. Water supply continues to be a concern with dugouts at 50% of normal or less.
Producers are anxious about securing enough winter feed supply and actively seeking straw to be baled.