Glacier FarmMedia | MarketsFarm—Most of Manitoba’s fall rye and winter wheat crops came off the ground, while the harvesting of other crops for the most part started during the week ended Aug. 19, according to the province’s weekly crop report.
Approximately, 72 per cent of the province’s fall rye crop was harvested, including 95 per cent in the central and eastern regions. In addition, 60 per cent of Manitoba’s winter wheat was combined, as well as 21 per cent of field peas, 15 per cent of barley, and three per cent of both spring wheat and oats. However, only three per cent of Manitoba’s harvest was complete overall.
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Early yield estimates for fall rye and winter wheat were 80 to 110 bushels per acre in the central region and an average of 75 bu./ac. in the eastern region. Spring wheat quality was rated the best in the central region at 85 per cent good to excellent, followed by the northwest region at 80 per cent and both the eastern and Interlake regions at 70 per cent. The southwest region was at 65 per cent. Meanwhile, the latest planted spring wheat fields were in the soft to hard dough stages. Corn was in the R1 (silking) to R3 (milk) stages.
Swathing and pre-harvest applications were ongoing for canola, while the latest seeded fields ranged from flowering to pod-fill. Sunflowers in Manitoba were in the R5 (flowering) and R6 (seed development) stages, while most flax fields were in stages 10 and 11 (brown capsule).
Yield estimates for field peas were reported in the central region at 30 to 55 bu./ac., as well as “average” in the southwest region. Later seeded fields in the R6 and R7 stages will be harvested shortly. Soybeans in the central and eastern regions were in the R5 and R6 stages, while those in the rest of the province were in R4 and R5. However, soybean aphids were present in some fields.
Forage growth improved thanks to warm weather and rainfall as moisture was needed to replenish root reserves for winter. The first cut of tame forage was complete with work on native stands and slough hay continuing. Dairy farmers reported good yields on their second cut of alfalfa with some in the central region completing a third. The first cut beef hay harvest was complete, as well as a second cut of tame hay in some areas with yields reported as “very good” in the eastern region. Yields for cereal silage range from average to above average. However, high humidity and morning dew has led to producers using grass intended for hay as bale silage.
Pastures improved in areas that received rainfall during the week, while rotationally grazed pastures performed the best under hot and dry conditions. Cattle on pasture were in excellent condition in the eastern region. Dugouts were at 70 per cent normal capacity with adequate water supplies. Producers were on the lookout for pink eye and foot rot in their cattle while trying to control fly numbers.
Kane, in the central region, received the most rain during the week at 54.8 millimetres. However, Swan Valley in the northwest as well as multiple locations in the Interlake received no precipitation whatsoever.
