The latest Manitoba crop report suggests that the northwest region of the province finally got some warm, dry weather conditions last week.
Northwest
Warm temperatures throughout the week and hot temperatures on the weekend allowed the Northwest region to start drying up. Where excess water was an issue, some standing water has receded and high temperatures created crusting. Some crops that were appearing stressed due to excess moisture have grown out of visible symptoms, while some crops remain stressed by excess moisture. Damage from flooding continues to be assessed as the events were widespread. Infrastructure damages continue to be repaired and access to certain areas continues to be a challenge. Herbicide applications continue where appropriate stages are reached. There are challenges with timely applications due to excess moisture, high winds and high temperatures. The wide range in crop stages will stretch out herbicide and fungicide applications. Fall rye and winter wheat are headed out and continue towards flowering stage. Anthesis is mostly complete in fall rye and winter wheat. Spring cereals continue to have a wide range of crop stages, from tillering to heading. Field peas are in the R1 stage. Areas that have been continuously wet continue to show signs of moisture stress. Canola fields range in stage from 4 leaf to full flower. While some crops look healthy, some fields under excess moisture are thin and starting to stress bolt. The most advanced soybean crops are in the R1 stage, with the remainder of the crop close behind. Recent warm temperatures have helped with soybean development.
Southwest
Extreme heat is putting additional stress on some crops that were already stressed by excess moisture; however, the warm, dry weather has also helped fields dry down. Several areas are reporting overland flooding, not only from the Assiniboine River but also from other creeks and waterways, as excess water continues to be an ongoing issue. Crops are growing rapidly and some producers are finding it challenging to keep up with fungicide applications. Wet conditions have also made fungicide applications difficult. Winter wheat and fall rye are in the grain fill stage, and crop condition continues to look good. Most spring cereal crops are heading. Many fields are being treated with fungicide due to the high risk of Fusarium head blight (FHB) this year. Pea crops have fully canopied and are flowering. Most producers have completed the first fungicide application. Most canola is at the bolting to early flowering stages, while early seeded fields are approaching full flower. Fungicide has been applied to most acres and some producers have applied insecticide for cabbage seedpod weevil. Soybeans have experienced some stress from excess moisture, but the recent warm weather has resulted in rapid growth and row closure. Most soybeans are now at the flowering stage. Iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) symptoms are improving with the warmer temperatures. Corn and sunflower crops have responded well to the recent heat. Most corn fields are at the V12 growth stage, while sunflowers are at the R1 to R2 growth stage.
