Manitoba Agriculture
Crop Report
August 1, 2023
Northwest Region
A mostly warm week across the Northwest region, although night time temperatures continue to dip into the single digits. Ruthenia recorded 1.9°C for a low, while daytime high was Amaranth at 32.7°C. Few locations received precipitation with The Pas receiving the most at 14 mm. The rest of the region would greatly benefit from a rain as soil conditions continue to dry out.
Fall rye and winter wheat continue to mature. Pre-harvest applications are occurring as stages are reached.
Harvest of perennial ryegrass has started.
Spring cereals are mostly in the soft dough stage, except for a few later seeded fields which follow closely behind in the milk stage. Moisture stress is observable in some fields. Cereals for the most part are in good to fair condition.
Canola continues in various stages across the region due to the wide range of seeding dates and emergence. Many fields have wrapped up flowering and will continue to maturity now. In the Swan Valley and Roblin area approximately 60-70% of the crops have finished flowering. The Dauphin area is approximately 30% done flowering. Some fields that were short on moisture through the season have short pods.
Field peas are in the R5, while some fields are approaching R6 growth stage. Desiccation of some fields is approaching quickly. Field peas are mostly in good condition except those that did not receive adequate precipitation.
Soybeans are mostly at the R3 stage and quickly approaching R4 across the region. For the most part they look good, but in some areas that haven’t received moisture they appear short. With dry conditions grasshopper pressure continues.
Provincial Overview
Limited harvesting of fall rye and winter wheat began late last week. Winter cereal crops continued to dry down with producers applying pre-harvest herbicides or swathing as crop seed moisture content allowed. Harvest is expected to become more general this week if the weather cooperates. Crop condition remained good to excellent. Early yield reports are from 60 to 70 bushels per acre on open pollinated fall rye to upwards of 80 to 90 bushels per acre on hybrid fall rye.
Most spring cereal crops were in the intermediate to hard dough stage with the exception of very late seeded crops that were in early dough. Application of pre-harvest herbicides could begin at the end of this week on some early seeded fields if weather allows.
Most of the canola crop ranged from flowering about 80% complete to mid pod fill. Overall crop condition ranged from fair to mostly good. Later seeded canola crops are in full flower with the early seeded crops going out of bloom and podding. Crop is also showing drought stress, as areas in fields are starting to show flowers aborting.
Reports of waterhemp showing up in soybean fields in the RM of Emerson-Franklin and in the RM of DeSalaberry. Producers are encouraged to scout for this weed and remove from fields when found.