According to the last Manitoba crop report of the year, the harvest province-wide is 97 percent complete.
Harvest in the northwest is 99 percent complete, while the southwest region sits at 96 percent complete.
Southwest
Minimal rainfall was received early in the season, allowing producers to seed cereals and corn easily. Canola seeding was delayed until after the May long weekend, which brought 2.5 inches of rainfall. Moisture was available for crops until the second or third week of June, but then the effects of dry and hot conditions on winter crops, and early-seeded crops like oats and canola, caused yield losses on lighter soils. Some fields received the “thunderstorm lottery” during June which helped in terms of moisture. In July and August, significant rainfall was received across the region accompanied by cool temperatures. Winter wheat and fall rye had a good year, with minimal winter kill and average to above-average yields. Cereal crops performed well, likely because they were seeded before significant rain events and were sprayed on time. Most crops received crop protection for disease throughout the season. Wheat averaged 70 bu/acre but ranged from 50 to 80 bu/acre. Most cereals were harvested on time without quality loss. Quality was good, with protein levels in the 13.5-14% range. Barley had a good year, with producers reporting yields of 80 to 100 bu/acre with good quality. Oat ranged from 80 to over 100 bu/acre and there were harvest issues due to shattering and lodging. Later-harvested oats had lower yields and quality due to wet and humid conditions. Significant regrowth occurred in oats due to late-season moisture. Peas performed well with average to above average yields, ranging from 40 to 70 bu/acre. Canola yields were average to above average. Some producers chose to swath canola to ease the harvest process, but approximately 90% of canola varieties were straight cut. Canola experienced some shatter losses depending on the variety. Overall, canola yields ranged from 30 and 60 bu/acre, with an average closer to 45. Flea beetles and sclerotinia pressure was minimal this year, but verticillium stripe was dominant in every field. Flax harvest is almost complete, with yields in most areas at average to above average, at around 30-35 bu/acre. Corn harvest is approximately 65% complete and sunflower harvest at 35% complete. Grain corn yields ranged from 130 to 150 bu/acre, with low grain moisture levels at 15-23%. Forage corn yields were 17 tonnes/acre at 62% moisture. Sunflower yields are reported as average to above average, although there was heavy sclerotinia pressure this year particularly in terms of head rot. Overall, the growing season for soybeans was good. Yields ranged from average to above average, with reports of 30 to 50 bu/acre. Frost during the first week of September impacted yield and quality on late-seeded soybeans in some areas. Dry beans suffered severe sclerotinia infestations this year. Warmer than normal temperatures in September and October provided ideal conditions for an extended harvest period. Above-average moisture this fall resulted in significant volunteer crop regrowth and is expected to contribute to an increase in winter annual weed pressure. Excessive soil moisture created challenging field conditions, with some fall operations limited in low-lying areas and equipment becoming stuck. Due to unfavorable conditions, very little burning has taken place.
Northwest
Spring started off with good seeding conditions, however as seeding progressed, there were challenges that continued throughout the season. The Swan Valley region saw a slightly earlier start as fields dried quicker. Spring wheat and field peas were the first crops seeded and started with adequate moisture. Canola, soybeans and remaining crops were challenged with moisture for germination and continued growth. Topsoil moisture was depleted as the season progressed, leading to poor growth and stagey crops. Precipitation was well below normal until mid-August at most weather stations. Most precipitation was received in late fall and in very large amounts in some areas. Soil moisture is now considered adequate, with approximately 10% of the region in surplus due to recent precipitation. Wildfires in the North were a huge concern early in the season. Areas in the Carrot Valley (The Pas) were at risk, with parts of the region catching fire. Smoky conditions and air quality issues were common throughout the entire region with most of the region under a fire ban due to extremely dry conditions during spring. Spring wheat yields were very good, with some quality issues reported. Estimated average yields were 70-80 bu/acre. Approximately 80% of the crop graded at 1CW, with the remainder grading 2CW. Estimated average yields for barley were 80-85 bu/acre and 100-110 bu/acre for oats. Field pea seeding was timely, with the exception of some later seeded fields. While some field peas did well, some areas ran out of moisture and matured rapidly. Estimated average yields ranged from 30-55 bu/acre. 98% of the field pea crop graded at 2CAN, with the remainder at 3CAN. Canola faced some challenges this season; lack of soil moisture led to poor germination and poor growth in the majority of canola crops. The result was very stagey crops within the same field. This was even more pronounced when moisture was received in late July. Throughout the season, crop staginess was evident with some of the crop approaching maturity while others were still flowering. This caused issues for desiccation staging as well as green plant material in the harvested seed. Flea beetle pressure was considerably less this year than in the past few years. Some areas reached threshold levels for bertha armyworm and required control. Harvest is 98% complete with estimated average yields ranging from 25-50 bu/acre. Soybean seeding went well, with the crop starting off in decent shape. As soil moisture was depleted, crop growth stalled. Late season moisture did help pod fill, saving some soybeans, but for some it came too late. Estimated average yields for soybeans ranged from 25-45 bu/acre. Harvest is 98% complete. Conditions were good for fall rye and winter wheat seeding. Recent precipitation improved soil moisture and crops germinated and established well. For the most part, fall field operations were completed as crops were harvested. Soil conditions are mostly good for NH3 applications. Post harvest burn off is complete.
