Northwest Region Crop Report Prepared by: Manitoba Agriculture
June 2, 2020 |
Northwest Region
Seeding progressed throughout the Northwest region with some areas nearing completion. The exception is The Pas where seeding is well underway.
Reseeding of some canola fields was required in the Swan Valley and Dauphin/Fork river region due flea beetle feeding as well as wind damage in the Swan Valley. Overall seeding is calculated as 95% done in the region.
Most of the region experienced extremely strong winds throughout this past week, with some fields seeing injury due to sand blasting, breakage, twisting, etc. Wind speeds exceeded 70km/hour at Roblin with up to 90 km/hour winds in the Swan Valley area. Intense winds have also been drying out the top portion of the soil and blowing away topsoil along with seed and fertilizer.
Precipitation was minimal for most of the region, while Swan Valley received 1 to 4mm; Roblin area received 5mm and The Pas received 13mm. Later seeded crops are in need of moisture. Some areas received a brief early morning frost on May 30. Those areas include Alonsa, Birch River, Drifting River, Laurier, Minitonas, Pipe Lake and Reedy Creek.
Spring wheat and cereal seeding is 98 to 100% complete with 100% emerged, with the exception of The Pas where seeding continues. Canola for the region is approximately 90% seeded with 30 to 40% emerged. Canola seeding in The Pas has begun. Soybean seeding is complete with the first seeded acres starting to emerge. Field Peas are complete and 100% emerged. Flax is 100% emerged. Corn in the Dauphin/Ste. Rose area is emerged.
Flea beetles have become a concern this past week and have required some control. Diamondback moth numbers remain low for the region. Strong winds have made any pesticide applications challenging and limited.
Forages are elongating, with alfalfa ranging in height from eight to 17 inches tall, and advanced fields at the very early bud stage. Low overnight
temperatures in localized areas has frosted alfalfa leaf tips. Majority of pastures do not have sufficient forage growth for grazing and supplemental feed is needed. Rain is needed to spur forage growth. Corn silage planting has wrapped up and corn has emerged in approximately 50% of the fields. Cereal greenfeed seeding is still ongoing.