June 17, 2009

Crop planting in Manitoba was near completion in most regions, according to the crop report from the provincial government's Agriculture and Rural Development Department for the week ended Monday (June 15).

 

In the Southwest region of the province, seeding was 95 percent complete with only some green feed crops to be sown. Several fields of canola have been reseeded due to frost and flea beetle pressure.

 

Cereal crops were in the four-leaf to tillering stage of development. Canola was in the two- to three-leaf stage with slow growth being reported. Fall rye was heading with fewer tillers being reported.

 

With several days of good weather over the past week spraying moved to 40 percent complete. Flea beetles still remain a concern in canola because of weak plants from the frost and slow growth.

 

The first cut of hay was rated as poor. Pastures also remain in poor to fair condition due to slow grass growth and early grazing pressure.

 

Seeding in the Northwest region was nearly complete with the exception or areas that remain wet or have poor drainage. Fields in those wet areas may remain unseeded as a result.

 

Cereal crops range from pre-emergent to the five-leaf stage of development. Canola crops range from pre-emergent to three-leaf stage.

 

Although pasture and hay field conditions have improved in the Northwest with the recent warmer weather, grasses are shorter and close to heading out indicating lower potential yields.

 

In the Central region, the majority of seeding is now complete, the report said. In areas suffering from wet conditions it is estimated 1 percent to 2 percent of acres in the eastern part of the area may go unseeded.

 

Warmer temperatures encouraged rapid plant growth. Cereals were emerging to tillering. Canola was germinating to being in the two-leaf stage. Winter wheat is elongating.

 

The report said the impact of last weekend's frost continues to be assessed. It is estimated reseeding of frost damaged canola in the eastern part of the region ranges from 3 percent to 4 percent in areas.

 

In the Eastern region of Manitoba, there was significant seeding progress made in the southern districts, the report said. Seeding progress was more limited in northern districts where rainfall occurred. However, warm sunny conditions over the weekend allowed for significant drying.

 

Cereal seeding was 90 percent to 100 percent complete and canola was 90 percent to 100 percent complete. Soy seeding is complete. Except for acres intended for silage, corn planting is complete. Seeding of sunflowers and flax were almost complete.

 

Winter wheat condition for the fields that remain in production was rated as fair to good.

 

In the Interlake region, rainfall early in the week halted seeding operations but some field operations resumed late in the weekend.

 

In the southern parts of the region, most producers have finished seeding. In the northern areas of the region, seeding progress is 35 percent to 70 percent complete.

 

Cereal crops range from the two- to five-leaf stage. Canola crops range from the two- to three-leaf stage.

 

Frost damage has caused some reseeding to occur in the south Interlake. Flea beetle activity is still being reported.

 

Hay and pasture growth has improved with the warmer weather. Harvest of high quality hay is behind schedule as hay growth has been slow. There has been winterkill reported on some alfalfa fields in the south Interlake.