Seeding Advances Despite Cool Weather
WINNIPEG - May 21/02 - STAT -- Seeding is making good progress in Manitoba despite cool temperatures and frosty nights, according to the latest crop progress report from the provincial agriculture department.
In the southwest region, seeding has been steady, with the result 70% of the cereal crops and almost 60% of the oilseeds have been seeded, with the planting of beans to start this week. The Killarney district is most advanced in terms of seeding progress, with about 90% of the area's crop acres already in the ground.
Crop emergence has been slower than usual this year due to the cool, dry conditions.
Northwestern crop districts experienced generally cool and dry weather last week. Soil moisture conditions are poor to fair. Early-seeded crops are very slow to emerge due to the unseasonably cold soils.
Seeding is on average 70% completed, with cereals about 90% seeded and canola about 50% done. Many producers are almost finished seeding, while others have just begun, as the waiting game for the soils to warm up nears its end.
In central Manitoba, below-normal daytime and overnight temperatures during the week has resulted in negligible crop emergence and growth. As of Friday, some fields had been planted for three to four weeks but had yet to emerge. Warmer temperatures over the weekend were a welcome change. With the return to normal daytime and overnight temperatures, significant emergence of spring cereal crops occurred.
Seeding of some crops is nearing completion and yet to begin with others. Spring wheat, barley, oats, potatoes and corn are approximately 75% seeded, while 80% of the flax, peas and canola are done. Provided the warm, dry conditions remain, many of the field bean and soybean acres will be planted in the coming week.
Eastern Manitoba reported no additional rain in the past week, allowing seeding to get back underway. The St. Pierre area is the most advanced in seeding progress, with about 60% seeded (mostly cereal crops). Most other areas have 40% of the cereals completed, 10-20% of the canola and pulses, and 30% of the corn. Some flax and sunflower fields have also been planted.
Wheat seeded in the first week of May is just beginning to emerge, but oats are somewhat slower. Fortunately, these early-seeded crops appear to have survived the cold, wet conditions. Volunteer cereals and canola, along with wild oats and some broadleaf weeds, are also beginning to grow. Winter wheat is greening up and appears to be in good condition.
Cool weather conditions prevailed throughout the week in the Interlake region, but seeding progressed regardless of the unseasonable temperatures. Scattered showers were experienced in some areas of the region. Although spring-fed dugouts are full, those relying on spring runoff are only 25-50% full.
Seeding progress varies: in the Arborg district, about 50% of the crop is in the ground, while the Fisher Branch and Lundar districts estimate they are 60% completed (some Fisher Branch farmers are either finished seeding or are near completion).
The Selkirk district reports 35% of the crop seeded, while 55% of the acres in the Stonewall area are done. Of the acreage planted to date, cereal crops comprise the largest proportion. Most of the intended field pea acreage has been planted, but the seeding of canola and sunflowers has just begun.
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