Northwest Region

Northwest Region Crop Report Prepared by: Manitoba Agriculture
June 18, 2019 |

Northwest Region

Generally good growing conditions in the Northwest last week with daytime temperatures over 25°C. However, nighttime temperatures continued to dip down near zero overnight. Rainfall amounts were minimal through most of the region with the exception the Roblin area, where rainfall amounts ranged from 13 to 39 mm, decreasing moving eastward toward Grandview. This has helped things to green up almost immediately in that area. The remainder of the region is looking for rain, as drying winds continue to worsen soil moisture conditions. Soil moisture conditions around Dauphin/Ste. Rose areas are short/dry; Swan River area soil moisture is rated as adequate (40%), to short (50%) to very short (10%); Roblin soils are adequate (90%) to short (10%); soil moisture at The Pas is 100% adequate.

There was noticeable growth in the canola this week, especially where rainfall occurred. The canola crop is emerged and is at the cotyledon stage with the earlier seeded fields in the early rosette state. Canola continues to appear patchy where soil moisture is a concern with the effects most noticeable on the later seeded crops. Cereals are in the seedling stage with winter wheat at flag leaf and fall rye is heading out. Weeds are actively growing and herbicide applications continue as crops develop and weeds become an issue.

Diamondback moth trap counts counts of around 300 in the Bowsman area. Bertha Armyworm moth trap monitoring has begun. There are reports of multiple spraying operations as flea beetles and cutworm feeding continues. Generally, crops in the Northwest region are rated as good but some canola fields are in very poor condition due to a combination of insect feeding, frost and delayed emergence from dry soils. Predicted hay yields are very low to zero, with older fields reporting no new growth for cutting.

Dugout levels are dropping rapidly in pastures in the Dauphin – Ste. Rose area. Water sources will be a major concern without additional moisture. Most cattle are now on pasture and with no additional precipitation, and are predicted to have a very short grazing season.