Weekly Provincial Summary
• Agro-Manitoba received variable amounts of precipitation over the past eight days. Isolated rains occurredin several regions. Precipitation for the past eight days ranged from 0 mm to 28.5 mm. Sprague(28.5 mm) received the most precipitation.
• Climate normals for the total accumulated precipitation from May 1 to August 5 range from 169.8 mm to269.1 mm and are based on 30-year historical data. Precipitation accumulation in most areas haveexceeded 100% of normal precipitation since May 1.
• Soil Moisture 0 – 30 cm shows a regional representation of soil moisture conditions for the top 30 cm onAugust 5, 2024 relative to field capacity. The majority of agro-Manitoba is showing optimal or dry soilmoisture conditions at the surface depths.
• Percent Normal Accumulated Growing Degree Days represents the variation of accumulated GrowingDegree Days (GDD) from the historical record over a 30-year period from May 1 – August 5, 2024.Warmer temperatures this week increased GDD accumulation. GDD Accumulation is between 95% and110% of normal for the majority of Agro-Manitoba.
Overview
– Fall rye and winter wheat are drying down with fields between hard dough and physiological maturity. Harvest hasstarted on the earliest winter wheat and fall rye fields.
– Corn fields range from tasseling to silking. Many corn fieldsremain uneven although the problem has improved with the warm weather in the last few weeks. Continued warmtemperatures are needed to further even out the crop.
– Most spring cereals range from soft dough to physiologicalmaturity. The earliest seeded canola crops are well into pod filling with some seed colour change. Increased flowerblast due to the very warm temperatures continued to be noted by both producers and agronomists.
– Sunflowersrange from R3 (bud elongation) to R5.3 (30% flowering).
– Soybeans are in the R2 (full bloom) to R4 (full pod)stage, with the majority of fields at R3 (beginning pod).Waterhemp has been confirmed north and west of St. Claude and a suspected infestation was found in theNeepawa – Gladstone area. It may be found in bare patches or edges of fields and in glyphosate-resistant cropslike soybean and corn.
Cereals
• Fall rye and winter wheat are drying down with fields between hard dough and physiological maturity.Harvest has started on the earliest fields; no yield reports are available at this time.• Most corn fields are between tasseling and silking.
• The earliest seeded spring cereals range from hard dough to physiological maturity. Later planted fieldsare in the milk to soft dough stages.• Harvest is expected to start in early seeded barley fields this week.
• Spring wheat quality is rated mostly fair to good with 5% of the crop being reported as poor in theSouthwest, Northwest, Central, and Interlake regions
Oilseeds
• The earliest seeded canola is in the pod fill to early ripening stage. The last fields seeded continue toflower. Seed colour change has been noted in the earliest fields, with reports of some swathing occurring.
• Sunflower growth progressed rapidly in the warm conditions with stands ranging from the R3 (budelongation) to R5.3 (30% flowering).
• Most flax fields are at growth stage 9 (late flowering with most capsules formed) to growth stage 10 (whiteseeds in capsules and lower leaves starting to yellow).Pulses and Soybeans
• Field peas are in the R4 to R5 stage and are starting to change colour.• Soybeans are in the R2 to R4 stage, with the majority in the R3 (beginning pod) stage.
• Iron deficiency chlorosis can still be found in fields, but most fields have recovered.
Forages & LivestockForages
• Good progress has been made putting up hay and silage. First cut of most tame forages is complete andwork on native stands continues.• Hay yields are being reported in the 2.5-3 tonnes per acre range on tame hay stands.
• Dairy producers are into second cut harvest of alfalfa fields and are reporting good yields.• The majority of first cut beef hay harvest is complete. Beef producers are beginning second cut andreporting suitable yields.
• The high humidity and heavy morning dew has made it difficult for hay to dry, which will lower quality.Some swaths have been flipped multiple times to improve drying. As a result, more producers have optedto use grass intended for hay as bale silage.
• Cereal silage is about half done and yields look to be average to above average. Yields in the northwestregion reported to be 8 tons/acre.Livestock
• Pastures are slowing due to recent heat and dry conditions in the northwest and southwest regions.Pasture management practices are making a difference, but limited soil moisture reserves are affecting allpastures. Cooler weather and precipitation are needed to improve annual forage and pastures.
• In the eastern and central regions pasture growth is good and cattle are making the most of strong growth.
• Producers are attempting to control fly numbers on pasture and are looking for pink eye and foot rot whereconditions remain wet underfoot.
• Dugouts are at 80% of normal capacity, but reports indicate that dugouts are drying out in parts of theSouthwest region.
Regional Comments
Northwest
Another week of high temperatures continue to advance crops. Highest temperature was 33.7°C at the Laurierstation and the lowest overnight temperature was 5.0°C at the Minitonas station. Minimal to no precipitation acrossthe region for the week, with The Pas station receiving the most at 22 mm. High temperatures and dry conditionscontinue to deplete surface moisture.
Winter wheat and fall rye crops are in the hard dough stage and looking good in most areas. Most spring wheat isin the soft dough stage while the remainder is in the milk stage.
Most field peas are in the R5 to R6 stage and the remainder of crop not far behind. Some fields will be theappropriate stage for desiccation in the next week or so. A rain would benefit some crops in the last bit of poddevelopment.
The majority of canola has completed flowering. The remainder of the crop continues to flower and develop pods.High temperatures have caused some pod abortion.
Soybean crops are in the R2 to R3 stage and looking good. Recent heat has helped advance the crops quickly. Arain would benefit the crops to help fill pods.
(News Release from Manitoba Agriculture)