August 18, 2009

Canola crops in Manitoba have finally finished flowering and have started the process of ripening, the provincial government's Agriculture and Rural Development Department said in a crop report for the week ended Monday (August 17).

 

In the Southwest region of the province, early seeded cereal crops were starting to turn and the late-seeded crops were in the heavy dough stage of development, the report said.

 

The harvest of winter wheat and fall rye in the region has started with reports of average to below-average yields. Most winter wheat has been desiccated and some fall rye has been swathed.

 

Canola has finished flowering in most areas of the region and was about three weeks away from swathing. Producers have started to harvest peas and some fields have been desiccated. Warmer weather would benefit crop growth.

 

In the Northwest region, the majority of the cereal crops were in the dough stage. Canola crops have finished flowering and some early seeded canola around in select areas may be swathed later in the week if weather conditions permit.

 

Hot weather accelerated crop development and maturity in the central region of Manitoba, the report said.

 

Fungicide applications continue in edible bean fields for white mould control where fields have good growth and potential for disease exists.

 

The winter wheat harvest in the central region has started with reports of yields ranging from 30 to 90 bushels per acre with an average yield of 75 bushels/acre. Swathing of barley has started and combining will commence when fields dry.

 

In the eastern region, crop development remains variable, the report said. The winter wheat harvest began in the region last week with yields in the 80- to 90-bushel/acre range. With the remaining winter wheat ripe or close to being mature, harvest will move into full swing this week, weather permitting.

 

Most of the barley in the region was at the hard dough stage with swathing commencing this week if weather conditions allow.

 

Most of the spring wheat and oats were in the soft dough stage. Swathing of early seeded canola fields will commence this week weather permitting.

 

In the Interlake region, the winter wheat harvest has started in the southern areas. Initial samples are showing very good quality, but the recent rains may cause quality issues.

 

Swathing of fall rye should start in the coming week. Barley crops were approaching harvest in the southern areas of the region, with swathing projected about a week away, the report said.

 

Canola development ranges from full bloom to complete podding. Sclerotinia stem rot is being reported as a result of weather conditions favouring disease development.