Northwest Region Crop Report Prepared by: Manitoba Agriculture
July 27, 2021 |
Northwest Region
Temperatures moderated this past week, mostly keeping below 30°C across the region. Along with some precipitation, gave crops in the area a break from the recent intense heat and dry conditions they’ve been put through. Precipitation amounts ranged from 8 mm in Swan Valley to 40 mm at San Clara, with some localized areas in Swan River receiving more. Windy conditions over the weekend again contributed to evapotranspiration depleting soil moisture. Soil moisture conditions across the entire region are well below normal and struggling to support the crops, hay and pasture.
The effects of the dry conditions continue to show in terms of reduced yield, burnt crops and depleted water sources.
Spring cereals are into the dough stages. Spring wheat around Roblin/Swan River is approximately 50% in soft dough, while the southeastern part of the region is more advanced due to drier conditions. Spring wheat remains at 70% in good condition while the rest of the crop falls into fair/poor. Oats and Barley are in the milk stage and heading into dough.
Canola remains very variable across the region. Approximately 30% of the canola is podded in the Swan River area, while Roblin is further ahead with more of the crop podded. Crop stage is less advanced in The Pas. Approximately 50% of the crop in Roblin/Swan River is in good condition, while the remainder of the crop fits into the fair/poor condition.
Field peas across the region are fully podded and continue to ripen. Desiccation has begun near Roblin, and will follow shortly in the rest of the region. Approximately 50% of peas are in excellent condition in Roblin; 50% in good condition in Swan River and the remainder of peas are in fair/poor condition.
Soybeans for the most part continue to flower and are in the R1 to R2 stage and headed towards podding. The recent rain last week will have a large impact on crop condition. Additional rain would put the crop in better position for a good yielding crop.
Flax across the region is in the boll stage and continuing to ripen. Yields are expected to be lower in areas that did not receive moisture throughout the season.
Bertha armyworm monitoring will wrap up this week with all traps remaining in low risk category. Grasshoppers continue to be a concern where hay is harvested or pastures requiring control and the grasshoppers moving into nearest crops. Some control in crops have been required as feeding increases.
Conditions on the eastern side of the region are very dry with very little to no forage growth with grasshoppers consuming what forage is there. States of Agricultural Disaster have been declared in Alonsa, Lakeshore, McCreary, Mossey River, and Ste. Rose. The western part of the region received some rain last week that has improved conditions, but the whole region still requires additional moisture. First cut tame beef hay operations are wrapping up, and dairy producers aiming for high quality have completed second cut harvest. Possibility of a second cut for beef producers will depend timing of first cut, the age of the stand, fertility, moisture received and grasshopper pressure. Silage and greenfeed harvest of cereals continues with initial reports from early seeded fields indicating average yields. Corn silage fields are tasseling. Producers are baling ditches, cattails, sloughs and other accessible forages to increase winter feed supplies. Producers continue to monitor for water shortages and in some cases alternate arrangements have been made to supply water to livestock.