Manitoba Agriculture
Crop Report
August 22, 2023
Northwest Region
A mixed week of weather across the region. Hot days with temperatures in the 30’s followed by cool, rainy weather was in the mix. Highest temperature was in Swan River at 32°C, and Ruthenia overnight low was 3.9°C. Scattered showers and strong winds for part of the week made some challenges for pre-harvest applications and desiccation. Smoky conditions also were present. Precipitation was more on the west side of the region while the eastern side received minimal rain. Birch River station received the most precipitation (18.4mm), while Amaranth received lowest (1.4mm).
Fall Rye and winter wheat harvest is 95% complete. Yields vary widely and dependent on early season rains.
Spring cereals are mostly in the hard dough stages to mature, with the odd field slightly behind. Pre-harvest applications were ongoing and moving towards complete. Harvest has started in the western side of the region and more advanced towards Dauphin area. Harvest progress is approximately 5% across the region. Initial reports have been average to above average so far.
Most of the canola across the region is podded and maturing. Approximately 5% of the canola remains flowering but should wrap up shortly. Reports of small pods in upper canopy with reduced seed set and may affect yield in some fields. Some sunscald is evident with recent high temperatures. Aster yellow symptoms are very noticeable in some fields. Flea beetle pressure has been heavy in the last week and tops of plants are found covered in flea beetles. Lygus and some Bertha Armyworm has been reported in canola. There has been a start to desiccation or swathing as some of the earliest seeded canola fields have reached the appropriate stage.
Field Pea harvest is continuing as crops reach maturity, with a pause last week due to rain. Desiccation continues in fields that have reached the appropriate stages and should be close to complete. Field pea harvest is approximately 50% complete across the region. Yield ranges are mostly dependent on precipitation through the season. Fields with little precipitation ranged from 40 to 45 bu/ac while better fields ranged from 60 to 70 bu/ac.
Provincial Overview
Harvest progress sits at 13% complete across the province, which is on-par with the 5-year average harvest progress. Winter wheat and fall rye harvest is near completion, with 93% of acres harvested. Early yield reports for winter wheat are averaging about 60 bu/acre and 70 bu/acre for fall rye. Harvest continues in spring cereal crops, with barley at 26% complete, oats at 21% complete and spring wheat at 23% complete. Overall, cereal crops remain in fair to mostly good condition. Corn is mostly in the R4 to R5 growth stages. Canola is mostly in the pod fill stage, with some fields starting to turn with desiccation and swathing continuing. Field pea harvest continues, with approximately 69% of acres harvested. Soybean fields are mostly in the R6 to R7 growth stages with reports in the central region of soybean showing stress symptoms due to lack of moisture. Premature ripening has occurred on these fields.
Producers are encouraged to scout their fields for weeds which have escaped control. This is an important part of integrated pest management. Waterhemp has been found in the Central and Eastern regions and producers should seek identification of any unusual pigweeds in their field.