Warmer weather over the past week advanced Manitoba crop development, but parts of the province continued to be battered by heavy rainfall.
According to the weekly crop report on Tuesday, rainfall over the past week ranged from 0 to over 61 mm. Fisherton received the most precipitation with almost 45 mm of rain in just two hours on July 13, the report said.
In the Northwest region, the RM of Mossey River declared a state of agricultural disaster due to heavy rainfall this year. Reports say that from the start of May to Canada Day, the municipality saw between 270 - 310 mm of rain, flooding fields, raising rivers, and washing out roads.
In terms of crop development, fall rye and winter wheat are at the soft to hard dough stage with the most advanced fields ripening. Spring wheat ranges from flag to soft dough stages, with some lodging evident due to wind and rain events. 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
Canola ranges from rosette to early podding. Fungicide applications in spring wheat and canola are continuing, and aerial applications are common with wet field conditions. Field peas have reached the R1 to R3 stage, with some fungicide application occurring for mycosphaerella blight. Field peas continue to suffer in some regions with the extended wet conditions. Most soybeans are in the R1 stage.
Southwest:
Rain and hailstorms occurred over the past week, with rainfall varying from trace amounts to 37 mm in Melita and Shilo. Small creeks are flowing, and some of the deeper low spots have standing water. Hail was reported in Lyleton on Sunday night. Daytime highs ranged from 29°C to 32°C and average temperatures ranged from 19.8°C to 22.2°C.
Hot and humid temperatures advanced crop growth and development. Herbicide applications are complete. Many farmers have been using airplanes to spray fungicides; however, the recent drier weather has allowed for high clearance sprayers. Soybeans, corn, sunflowers, and dry beans have advanced well with the onset of warmer conditions. Some cereal fields lodged after heavy rainfall on the weekend, mostly in the double seeded areas on headlands.
Northwest:
A week of high temperatures along with scattered thunderstorms across the region. Highest temperature recorded at Ethelbert station at 34 °C. Precipitation ranged from 1 mm at Grandview and Keld to 25 mm at Swan Valley. Several thunderstorms brought heavy rain, hail, and strong winds. Storms resulted in crop lodging in the Roblin and Swan Valley/Benito area. The RM of Mossey River declared a state of agricultural disaster due to the effects of heavy rainfalls this year.
Central:
Warmer temperatures this week allowed soils to dry, and water has mostly receded from low spots within fields. Rainfall varied greatly across the region with most receiving little rainfall. The north part of the central region received the most rainfall, with Elie receiving 37.5 mm. Quarter sized hail was reported in the St Claude area with some fields damaged. Crops in low lying areas, many of which were under water for some time, are undergoing visible water stress, and there are dead spots in some fields. Warmer temperatures this week have promoted rapid development over the past few days.
Eastern:
Rainfall amounts were highly variable and ranged from 2 mm to 43 mm with most the rain falling over the weekend in the form of thunder showers. Temperatures this past week were much warmer than previous weeks, and field crops that were not suffering from extended water stress had significant growth. Standing water is subsiding in areas that did not receive significant rain but is still an on-going issue. All crops continue to display yellowing in lower areas, and dead plants in field drains and areas under water for prolonged periods.
Fungicide applications on wheat and canola were ongoing this week as well as some herbicide applications in late seeded crops. The wet conditions are causing issues with field access, and fungicides continue to be applied by air. Producers remain concerned about weed growth stage and herbicide efficacy in later seeded fields.
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