Data highlights the significant contributions of five crops to the Manitoba economy

Mar 15, 2024

A new study is emphasizing the importance of Manitoba agriculture.

Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) contracted information services company GlobalData to examine and assess the impact of Manitoba-grown wheat, barley, grain corn, sunflower and flax on the province’s economy. Durum was not included.

GlobalData found that the total economic impact of MCA’s five crop types averaged roughly $6.9 billion over the past three years, including more than 28,000 Manitoba jobs and $2.5 billion in wages.

MCA chair Robert Misko, who farms east of Roblin, Man., said the study showed the major role these crops play in the economic well-being of the province and the country.

“As farmers, we have long known our position in the system and how we contribute to the province’s success, but it is heartening to see those contributions laid out in a measurable way that anyone can understand,” Misko said.

Manitoba Crop Alliance is a commodity organization representing wheat, barley, corn, sunflower and flax farmers.

A full breakdown of the study can be found

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Video: Midwest Weather Shock: Flash Drought Turns Into Heavy Rain Threat This Week (2026 Forecast)

A rapidly changing Midwest weather pattern is unfolding in 2026 as areas that recently slipped into abnormal dryness and flash drought conditions are now facing the threat of heavy rain and repeated storm systems.

After a wet spring erased early drought conditions, regions across Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and northern Missouri have quickly dried out again since mid-to-late May. Soil moisture is dropping fast, and crops like corn and soybeans are beginning to feel the stress of rising temperatures and lack of consistent rainfall. Now, weather models show a major shift.

A developing system moving in from the Northern Plains is expected to bring multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms, with the potential for locally heavy rainfall across the Midwest. While some areas may miss out, others could finally see much-needed relief from the growing dryness. In this video, we break down:

Current drought conditions across the Midwest

Why a flash drought is developing quickly

Timing and path of incoming storm systems

Which states are most likely to see heavy rain

How long this wet pattern could last

Will this rain end the drought or create new flooding risks? Watch the full forecast to find out.