Rain Comes Too Late For Many Crops

Farmers are looking to get back out on the field after some rain this week.

Dane Froese is with Manitoba Agriculture & Resource Development.

"Rain was widespread across much of Manitoba and it was very much needed by all crops and hay and forages in the region," he said. "We saw anywhere between 10 to about 50 mm fall in the south central part of the Red River Valley and the south central region, however that rain did come a little too late for most of our cereal crops and canola. It may help some of the canola turn and finish but we're not going to be seeing the benefit right now. That will rather be going into the soil profile as a little bit of recharge. We did see that rain perk up some of the edible bean and soybean fields and some corn, so we may save some yield potential there and have a better chance of filling in some of those pods."

The province's weekly crop report says harvest completion has reached 5%, ahead of the 4-year average of 3% for the second week of August. Weighted average crop quality sits at 45%, rated Good. Cereal harvest has started and yields are typically below average, ranging from 20 to 70 bu/acre for spring wheat, with high protein. Early harvested oat crops are yielding between 15 and 80 bu/acre, with many averaging between 40 to 60bu/acre but are often lightweight.

Farmers continue to make greenfeed and determine end use for damaged and drought-affected grain crops. The province reminds farmers that they must contact MASC prior to putting crops to alternate use.