Manitoba Agriculture Crop Report – July 20, 2021

Northwest Region Crop Report Prepared by: Manitoba Agriculture
July 20, 2021 |

Northwest Region

High temperatures continued for most of the preceding week. Smoky conditions from wildfires has led to air quality advisories. The smoke has reduced solar radiation, cooling air temperatures somewhat. Little to no precipitation across region this week. High temperatures continue to advance the crop quickly however also continuing to deplete soil moisture and cause crop stress.

Winter wheat and fall rye are turning in the Roblin and Dauphin areas. Spring Wheat continues in the milk stage. Approximately 75% is in the milk stage and quickly moving towards soft dough stage, while the later seeded is catching up. Spring cereals for the region are rated at about 70% in good condition.

Canola remains variable across the region. While 50% is rated as good, the remainder of the crops are in poor/fair condition. Some canola has wrapped up the flowering stage and podded; yields are expected to be low in these crops. While later seeded canola in the Swan River/Roblin area received timely rainfall and continues to flower, looks to be in better shape.

Field peas have wrapped up the flowering period and are podded and starting to mature. Approximately 55% of the crop in the Swan River/Roblin area is in good/excellent condition, while the rest of the field pea crop across the region is good/fair due to lack of moisture.

Soybeans are in the R1 stage and continue to advance quickly through the heat. Soybeans are more advanced in the southern part of the region and timely rain would greatly benefit the soybean crop.

Fungicide applications continue as crop stages/conditions allow. Bertha armyworm monitoring continues and counts remain below threshold concern. Grasshopper activity continues to be a big concern across the region as they move into annual crops where hay is being removed or requiring control in pastures.

The majority of first cut hay fields have been harvested. Better yields on newer, well-fertilized stands particularly in the western side of the region have been reported but overall production will be below normal. Very little regrowth occurring and no second cut harvest is expected on the eastern side of the region. Annual crops are being harvested for greenfeed and silage. Pasture condition is deteriorating quickly particularly on overgrazed and continuously grazed sites. Water supply on pasture remains a concern for many producers. Producers continue to seek out alternative feeds to stretch out supplies for winter-feeding.