Manitoba Agriculture
Crop Report
September 5, 2023
Northwest Region
Generally a good week of harvest progression across the region, with the exception of a day of rain which paused harvest for about a day in some areas. Warm, windy conditions helped to advance crops into maturity. High temperatures over the weekend with highs in the mid 30’s, and overnight lows below 10°C. Precipitation amounts vary across the region. Post-harvest field work has been following harvest completion in most areas, but the push has been to get the crops off while the weather has been good. Smoky conditions developed over the weekend and have been quite strong.
Fall rye and winter wheat harvest is 100% complete. Yields vary widely and are dependent on early season rains.
Spring wheat harvest had a strong push this week with good harvest conditions. Harvest progress varies in spring wheat with approximately 65-70% being harvested, with the exception of The Pas where harvest just started over the weekend. Initial reports are averaging 65-70 bu/acre, with some fields averaging higher (80-90 bu/ace) and some fields well below (30-40 bu/acre). Quality has been good, with mostly grading #1 and # 2 Canada. Some baling has been able to happen after the combine for those that put up straw.
Canola advanced in maturity with recent high temperatures, with the exception of later-seeded fields that are podded but still green. Desiccation/swathing has continued as appropriate stages are reached. There has been a start to canola harvest in some areas, including the Swan Valley and Roblin areas.
Field pea harvest was able to continue towards completion and is approximately 85-90% complete. Yield range is mostly dependent on precipitation through the season. Fields with little precipitation ranged from 40 to 45 bu/acre while better fields are at 60 to 70 bu/acre. Baling of pea straw occurring. Some post-harvest field work has been done as crops removed.
Soybeans were able to advance rapidly with the recent high temperatures over the last few days and are in the R7 with earliest fields approaching R8 stage. A few fields that have been stressed through the season and on lighter land are in the more advanced stage.
Provincial Overview
Harvest progress sits at 37% complete across the province, which is ahead of the 5-year average (31%). Winter wheat and fall rye harvest is complete (100%). Yield reports are averaging about 60 bu/acre for winter wheat and 70 bu/acre for fall rye. Harvest continues in spring cereal crops, with barley at 65% complete, oats at 71% complete and spring wheat at 70% complete. Overall, cereal crops remain in fair to mostly good condition.
Corn is mainly in the R5 (dent) growth stages. Canola crops ranged from the swathing/pre-harvest application stage to harvest ready. A limited number of very late seeded canola acres were in late pod fill with straw and pod colour change ongoing. Canola harvest has started with approximately 14% of the acres being harvested across the province, with 30% complete in the Central Region. Field pea harvest is near completion with approximately 94% of acres harvested. Soybean fields are mostly in the R7 to R8 growth stages with harvest beginning on some early maturing fields in the Central region.
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.