Manitoba crop report: Seeding speeds up to normal pace

Glacier FarmMedia—Planting progress greatly accelerated across Manitoba during the week ended May 12.
The province’s crop report released on May 14 showed that seeding was at 30 per cent completion, compared to just four per cent the week before. By comparison, the figure was well above three per cent from one year ago, but was also one point ahead of the five-year average.

Pea acres have advanced the most at 72 per cent completion with corn (60 per cent), as well as spring wheat and barley (58 per cent) not far behind. Only 15 per cent of soybean, 13 per cent of sunflower and six per cent of canola acres have been planted.

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Weeds appeared in fields including kochia, foxtail barley, lamb’s quarters, thistles and dandelions. Growers are reminded to scout fields and to use burn-off products to control weeds as well as pre-emergent products with residual control. Striped flea beetles have been reported in the central region.

Fertilizer applications for winter cereals were complete with 85 to 95 per cent field survival. Winter cereal stands grew rapidly in warm, greening fields. The central region has already planted 80 per cent of its spring wheat and barley crops with emergence already reported in early planted fields. Soybeans were 30 per cent planted in the central region.

Rains have stimulated pasture growth while hay fields were in good shape. Hay and pasture acres were near completely fertilized. However, winter conditions have damaged alfalfa plants in some locations. To offset the loss in feed production, some growers have begun planting corn and sudan grass. Fertilization of hay stands continued, while pastures and alfalfa were greening up. Hay and feed supplies were normal, but there may be limited carryout.
In parts of southern Manitoba, some beef cattle operations have moved to pastures. However, in the rest of the province, some animals were still in winter feeding areas. Recent rains have replenished dugouts to 95 per cent capacity, while corn planning for silage has started.

The wettest location in Manitoba during the week was Sinclair in the southwest region, getting 40.3 millimeters of rain. Pierson, also in the southwest, received 39.6 mm. With the exception of the southwest, every region in Manitoba had communities reporting no precipitation.

—Adam Peleshaty reports for MarketsFarm from Stonewall, Man.