Manitoba Agriculture
Crop Report
October 3, 2023
Northwest Region
Generally a good week of harvest conditions allowed for progress. Precipitation mid-week brought varying amounts of rain across the region, heaviest in the south eastern portion of the region including Dauphin and Ste. Rose areas. Daytime temperatures have been in low to mid 20’s while nighttime temperatures cooling off, but staying above 0°C. Harvest activities halted across much of the region due to rains beginning late Friday or early Saturday.
Spring wheat harvest had another good week of progress, with most areas approximately 99 % done. Yields have been ranging from 50-90 bu/acre, while some fields have done poorer and some better. Initial reports of quality have been good, however some reports of lower protein now as well.
Canola harvest continued over the week and is approximately 85% complete. Desiccation and swathing still continue as some later seeded crops reach appropriate stages. Yield reports have ranged from 40-55 bu/acre with a few reports of above and below this range. Reports of green stems making harvest challenging.
Soybeans are in the R8 stage. Harvest progress is approximately 45-50% complete. There has been some challenges with plants not drying down and staying green. Yields have been average to above average around 45-50 bu/acre, with some yielding lower due to lack of rain.
Provincial Overview
Harvest progress sits at 85% complete across the province, which is ahead of the 5-year average (73%). Harvest has wrapped up for most of the spring cereal crops, with barley at 100% complete, oats at 100% complete and spring wheat at 99% complete. Overall, cereal crops remain in fair to mostly good condition.
Many corn fields have reached physiological maturity and are drying down. Grain corn harvest has started in the Central region and is sitting at 15% complete. Canola harvest continues with approximately 86% of the acres being harvested across the province. Soybean fields are mostly in the R8 growth stage with harvest progress sitting at 69% provincially.
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.