Weekly Provincial Summary
- Agro-Manitoba received variable amounts of precipitation over the past seven days. Once again, isolated
heavy rains occurred in several regions. Precipitation for the past week ranged from 0 mm to 51.3 mm
(Table 1). Sprague (51.3 mm) received the most precipitation.
Table 1. Range of seven-day accumulated precipitation (July 22 – 28) in Manitoba’s Agricultural Regions.
Region Wettest Location Driest Location
Central Altona (23.8 mm) Several (0.0 mm)
Eastern Sprague (51.3 mm) Pinawa (0.2 mm)
Interlake Moosehorn (17.6 mm) Several (0.0 mm)
Northwest Reedy Creek (44.5 mm) Several (0.0 mm)
Southwest Bede (6.7mm) Several (0.0 mm) - Climate normals for total accumulated precipitation from May 1 to July 28 range from 160.9 mm to 249.5
mm and are based on 30-year historical data. Precipitation accumulation in most areas have exceeded
110% of normal precipitation since May 1. - Soil Moisture 0 – 30 cm shows a regional representation of soil moisture conditions at the top 30 cm on
July 28, 2024, relative to field capacity. The majority of agro-Manitoba is showing optimal or wet soil
moisture conditions at the surface depths. - Percent Normal Accumulated Growing Degree Days represents the variation of accumulated Growing
Degree Days (GDD) from the historical record over a 30-year period from May 1 – July 28, 2024. Warmer
temperatures this week increased GDD accumulation. GDD Accumulation is between 95% and 110% of
normal for the majority of Agro-Manitoba.
Fall rye and winter wheat are drying down with fields between hard dough and physiological maturity. The earliest
fall rye fields will likely be harvested this week. Most corn fields are between V10 to silking. Many corn fields
remain uneven although the problem has improved with the warm weather in the last few weeks. Continued warm
temperatures are needed to further even out the crop. Spring wheat ranged from the soft dough to hard dough
growth stages with awns starting to turn colour. The earliest seeded canola crops were well into pod filling with
flower drop complete. Increased flower blast due to the very warm temperatures continued to be noted by both
producers and agronomists. Sunflower growth progressed rapidly in the warm conditions with stands ranging from
R3 (bud elongation) to R5.1 (10% flowering) with most plants being at the R4 (inflorescence opening) growth
stage. Soybeans are in the R2 (full bloom) to R3 (beginning pod) stage with the most advanced fields now at full
pod (R4).
Cereals
- Fall rye and winter wheat are drying down with fields between hard dough and physiological maturity. The
earliest fall rye fields will likely be harvested this week. - Most corn fields are between V10 to silking.
- Spring wheat ranged from the soft dough to hard dough growth stages with awns starting to turn colour.
- Early seeded barley was in soft dough while early seeded oats fields ranged from soft to hard dough.
- No change in spring wheat quality from the previous week. Spring wheat quality is rated mostly fair to
good with 5 to 10% of the crop being reported as poor in the Southwest, Northwest, Central, and Interlake
regions
Oilseeds
- The earliest seeded canola crops were well into pod filling with flower drop complete. The last fields
seeded were at full flower and having fungicide applied to them. - Sunflower growth progressed rapidly in the warm conditions with stands ranging the R3 (bud elongation)
to R5.1 (10% flowering) with most plants being at the R4 (inflorescence opening) growth stage. There
continues to be a lot of developmental variation across fields due to varied planting dates and within fields
due to past water stressed conditions. - Most flax fields were at growth stage 9 (late flowering with most capsules formed) to growth stage 10
(white seeds in capsules and lower leaves starting to yellow). Overall crop condition was rated as good
aside from flooded and saturated field areas.
Pulses and Soybeans - Field peas are in the R4 to R5 stage. For the most part, fields are looking good, however there are fields
affected by the excess moisture and doing poorly, most notably in the Eastern region. - Soybeans are in the R2 to R3 stage with the most advanced fields now at full pod (R4) and have seen
rapid growth of the last week due to the hot humid conditions. - Iron deficiency chlorosis can still be found in fields, but most fields have recovered.
- Forages & Livestock
Forages - Good progress has been made on first cut beef hay as fields were wrapped up, as humidity levels finally
dropped late last week. Reports of hay laying for over a week as high humidity prevented curing of hay
swaths. 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 opted to use grass intended for hay as bale silage. - Hay yields are being reported in the 2.5-3 tonnes per acre on tame hay stands. Moisture conditions in low
lying areas are improving, making fields more accessible with haying equipment. Growth on hayfields is
good, however forage stands that have not yet been cut due to excess moisture are quite mature and
quality may be an issue. - Dairy farms have taken their first cut of alfalfa silage, most have taken a second cut. 1st cut of tame hay for
beef farms is almost finished. - Early seeded silage crops likely will be harvested this week. Corn silage fields are further advancing as a
result of high temperatures
Livestock
- The warm weather this week combined with soil moisture has allowed for strong growth in pastures and of
forage crops. Cattle are making the most of strong growth due to the moist soil conditions. Some areas
have become damaged from hoof action on waterlogged soils. Producers are attempting to control fly
numbers on pasture and are looking for pink eye and foot rot where conditions remain wet underfoot. - Pairs are looking good with ample grass to graze, and bulls have been placed with cows. Herds are
clumping together, indicating that flies are bothering them, so they should be rotated to new areas. - Dugouts are 85% full.
Regional Comments
Northwest
Hot and humid conditions persisted most of the week and continued to advance crops in the region. Highest
temperature was 31.4°C at the Drifting River station and lowest overnight temperatures was 8.7°C at San Clara
station. Most of the region received little to no precipitation, with the except of Reedy Creek station which received
44 mm.
Winter wheat and fall rye crops are mostly in soft dough stage and looking good in most areas not affected by
excess moisture. Most advanced spring wheat are in late milk to soft dough and late crops are in flowering stage.
Some fields that were previously stressed due to excess moisture have recovered.
Most advanced canola crops are nearing the end of flowering and are at the pod filling stage. Crops are more
advanced in Swan River/Roblin and behind in the Dauphin area due to excess moisture in spring. Fungicide
applications have mostly been wrapped up, with the exception of late seeded crops requiring it. Recent high
temperatures have caused some pod abortion due to heat stress.
Earliest field peas are nearing the R5 stage and the remainder of crop in R3-R4. Soybean crops are in the R2
stage and mostly looking good. Recent heat has helped and advanced the crops quickly. There are crops in the
Dauphin area that were stressed from excess moisture and are in the R1 stage.
(Manitoba Agriculture News Release)
