Manitoba Agriculture
Crop Report
September 12, 2023
Northwest Region
Another good week of harvest progress, with the exception of a pause for rain midweek. Daytime temperatures have been in the mid to high 20’s, while overnight temperatures have cooled off significantly. A light touch of frost was reported in some areas in Swan Valley early Wednesday morning. It is unknown if any damage occurred at this time. Frost was also reported on Monday morning in The Pas. Heavy dews in the morning have made for a later start in the day. Shorter days have also narrowed the harvest window as crops get tough in the evening.
Birch River received the highest precipitation amount in the Northwest region, while The Pas received only trace amount. Post-harvest field work has been occurring. Spring wheat harvest had another good week of progress, with most areas approximately 90-95% done. Harvest in The Pas is slightly behind that. Yields have been ranging from 50 to 90 bu/acre, while some fields have done poorer and some better. 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 harvest is nicely underway across the region and is approximately 15% complete and just starting in The Pas. Desiccation and swathing have continued as crops reached appropriate stages. Initial yield reports have ranged from 40 to 55 bu/acre. We anticipate to see good canola harvest progress if conditions cooperate this week.
Field pea harvest was able to continue towards completion and is 100% complete. Yields are variable and are mostly dependent on precipitation through the season. Fields with little precipitation ranged from 40-45 bu/ac while better fields at 60 to 70 bu/ac. Baling of pea straw is occurring. Some post-harvest field work has been done as crops removed.
Soybeans are in the R7-R8 stage and are moving towards maturity. Flax fields are near ready for harvest.
Provincial Overview
Harvest progress sits at 51% complete across the province (Table 2), which is ahead of the 5-year average (42%). 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 81% complete, oats at 83% complete and spring wheat at 85% 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 continues with approximately 35% of the acres being harvested across the province. Field pea harvest is complete. Soybean fields are mostly in the R7 to R8 growth stages with harvest progress sitting at 11% provincially. The central region is most advanced at 30% complete. 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.