Manitoba Agriculture
Crop Report
August 29, 2023
Northwest Region
A slower start to the week with cooler, wet weather setting in and clearing up for a couple of days and then rain again. Frequent rains, high humidity and heavy dews all contributed to the slow week of harvest progress and crop maturity. Precipitation amounts varied with Rorketon station receiving highest amount at 27 mm and The Pas the lowest amount at 3.1 mm. Although localized amounts brought more precipitation than was reported, in some areas upwards to 50 mm fell in Swan Valley and Roblin. Hail was reported in the Swan Valley area, damage unknown at this time.
Fall Rye and winter wheat harvest is 99% 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 progress is approximately 15-20% across the region, more advanced towards Dauphin area and waiting to start in The Pas. Initial reports are varied depending on precipitation through the season.
Most of the canola across the region is podded and maturing. Approximately 2% of the canola remains flowering but should wrap up shortly. Upper pods on plants are small, which may affect yield in some fields. Aster yellow symptoms are very noticeable in some fields. Flea beetle pressure has been increasing. There has been a start to desiccation or swathing across the entire region as some of the earliest seeded canola fields have reached the appropriate stage.
Field peas are in the R8 stages. Field pea harvest is continuing as crops reach maturity, with a pause last week due to rain. Most of the desiccation is complete except the odd later field. Field pea harvest is approximately 60% complete across the region. Yields range and are mostly dependent on precipitation through the season. Fields with little precipitation ranged from 40 to 45 bu/acre while better fields at 60 to 70 bu/acre. Baling of pea straw is occurring. Some post-harvest field work has been done as crops removed.
Soybeans are mostly at the R7 stage and advancing towards maturity. A few fields that have been stressed through the season are in a more advanced stage.
Provincial Overview
Harvest progress sits at 18% complete across the province, which slightly lower than the 5-year average (23%) harvest progress. Winter wheat and fall rye harvest is near completion, with 97% 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 38% complete, oats at 31% complete and spring wheat at 32% complete.
Overall, cereal crops remain in fair to mostly good condition. Corn is mainly in the R4 to R5 growth stages. Canola crops ranged from very late pod fill with straw, pod and seed colour change to swathing/pre-harvest application ready to harvest ready. Harvesting in the Central region has begun with 15% of the acres being harvested. Field pea harvest continues, with approximately 85% 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 that 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 fields.