Manitoba Seeding Three-Quarters Complete

WINNIPEG - May 27/13 -- Manitoba farmers made excellent progress seeding this year's crops, with seeding now more than three-quarters complete for all crops across the province.

In its latest crop progress summary, Manitoba Agriculture said seeding is estimated to be 75-80% complete in the Southwest Region, 80% complete in the Northwest Region, 70-85% complete in the Central Region, 85% complete in the Eastern Region and 75-80% complete in the Interlake Region.

In areas that received higher amounts of precipitation, seeding progress is not as advanced. Many producers are modifying their initial seeding plans to account for seeding date, particularly with long season crops such as grain corn and soybeans. The earliest seeded crops are emerging; growth is slow due to cooler conditions.

Southwest Region

Much of the Southwest Region continues to experience excellent seeding progress, with the exception being areas in and along the Manitoba/U.S. border where an additional 5 to10 mm of rain fell late last week. The remainder of the region received only scattered showers with accumulations generally less than 5 mm which had minimal impact on seeding progress. Soil moisture is generally adequate across much of the region and surplus along the Manitoba/U.S. border.

Spring wheat is estimated to be 70 to 100% complete, field peas 95 to 100%, malt barley 75 to 100%, grain corn 70 to 100%, soybeans 30 to 70%, canola and flax 40 to 90%, sunflowers 30 to 60%, and oats and feed barley 60 to 90% complete. The overall percent seeded for the Southwest Region is estimated to be approximately 80% complete, with the exception being areas in and along the Manitoba/U.S. border where seeding is still in the 40 to 60% complete range.

Spring seeded cereals and field peas are generally emerging 5 to 7 days after seeding with many of the early seeded fields now in the 1 to 2 leaf stage. Emergence is generally uniform, although there are areas of fields where moisture limitations slowed emergence.

Winter wheat and fall rye conditions continue to be variable. Most fall rye is in the 3 to 5 leaf stage and tillering and is generally in good to average condition. Winter wheat however continues to struggle with poor winter survival being reported across much of the Southwest Region. Many fields have well below minimal plant stand populations. Initial estimates are that 75 to 80% of last fall's winter wheat crop will be reseeded. Fertilizing surviving winter cereal acres is now complete with weed control measures now taking place.

Northwest Region

Weather conditions remain favourable for seeding to continue rapidly throughout the Northwest Region. Temperatures were below seasonal later in the week with some light frost reported on May 23. Heavy cloud cover with a few scattered thunderstorms on Sunday evening did not result in any significant rainfall. Generally soil moisture remains adequate; however, there are some localized areas where rain would be welcomed.

Seeding progress through Roblin to Swan River areas is most advanced at 80 to 85% complete. In areas east of the escarpment, producers are at 75 to 80% complete. Wheat, peas and soybeans are planted; canola, barley, oats and corn are at 70 to 85% seeded. Crops are emerging with approximately 35 to 40% of the wheat, 30 to 35% barley and oats, and 30 to 40% canola fields emerging.

Field by field assessment of winter wheat indicates wide variation of stands; some producers are considering termination and re-seed options. Fertilizer applications are mostly complete on the best winter wheat fields.

Perennial weeds are growing rapidly and annual weeds are germinating. Preseed weed control is being done as needed on remaining lands to be seeded. Insect trap counts are very low.

Central Region

In the Central Region, average to cooler temperatures and cloudy skies allowed fields to dry slowly and avoid crusting problems. Rainfall amounts were minimal last week with 1 to 3 mm in southern areas and 3 to 6 mm in northern parts of the region. Many producers were back in the fields late in the week after the previous weekend's heavy rains. Areas receiving higher amounts are just getting back in to the fields this week while areas that received 200 to 275 mm are still waiting for soils to dry out. The more northerly portion of the region, including Portage and Gladstone areas, saw significant seeding progress.

The majority of the region reports 70 to 85% complete; some producers have finished seeding. Slower progress is reported in areas to the west and south which received those heavy rains. Where conditions are wetter, acres seeded range from 40 to 60%. Seeding progress of cereals ranges from 50 to 99% complete, corn 40 to 100% with an average of 70 to 80% complete, and canola 25 to 100% complete. Soybeans continue to go in and edible bean seeding has started. Some cropping plans may now change, dependent on when producers can get back into the fields. Producers in areas with AgriInsurance seeding deadlines of May 30 (full coverage) for corn and soybeans are focussing their efforts on those crops.

Spring wheat development ranges from germinating to full one leaf, canola is germinating to one leaf, a few soybean plants have broken ground, and some corn should emerge this week. Growth was slow due to cooler soil conditions.

Winterkill in winter wheat and fall rye is more of an issue in western parts of the region where up to 40% of the acres will be re-seeded. Re-seeding is occurring throughout the region but to a much lesser degree. In some cases, only the headlands are being re-seeded. Stands are improving following the recent rains and warmer temperatures, and fertilizing will wrap up this week. Herbicide applications will start later this week. Growth is slower than in previous years and stands are on the thinner side.

Perennial weeds are growing rapidly and annual weeds are germinating. Preseed weed control continues as conditions allow, as does pre-emergent burn-off. Flea beetles are seen on volunteer canola with no reports of damage to the crop. Diamondback moth trap counts are very low.

Eastern Region

Very little rain fell last week in the Eastern Region. Most of the northern areas of the region received only a few mm or less over the whole week, while the southern areas received between 5 and 35 mm of precipitation. Southern areas of the region continue to be wet from the rainfall received last weekend.

Temperatures dipped down close to freezing on Thursday and Friday but no evidence or reports of crop damage or actual frost occurrence. Winds were occasionally gusty through last week and interfered with pre-emergent herbicide applications.

Seeding in the Eastern Region is estimated at 85% complete. In northern areas of the region, seeding progressed rapidly while in the southern areas progress is not as advanced due to wetter conditions.

Seeding is estimated at 85% complete in the northern areas of the region. Seeding progress by crop type is: spring wheat 90%, barley 90%, oat 90%, canola 90%, soybean 95%, sunflower 100%, field pea 100% and corn 100%.

In the central parts of the region, with no rain in the past week producers were able to get back on the fields by mid-week and continue seeding. Many producers are done seeding with a few still finishing up. Most cereal crops are emerged and at the 1 to 2 leaf stage. Some soybeans started to emerge and the corn is not yet out of the ground. Seeding progress by crop type in the central areas of the region is: spring wheat 100%, barley 100%, oat 100%, canola 95%, soybean 95% and corn 100%. Seeding is estimated at 95% complete.

In southern parts of the region, seeding is estimated at 75% complete. Seeding progress by crop type is: spring wheat 90%, barley 80%, oat 60%, canola 30% and grain corn 50%.

Interlake Region

Scattered showers occurred during the beginning of the week in the southern areas of the Interlake Region. Frost throughout the region was reported on Thursday and Friday night. Plant damage was noticeable on alfalfa and canola in the Arborg/Teulon area.

Seeding is 75 to 80% complete in the Interlake Region. South Interlake is closer to being completely finished seeding. Seeding in the North Interlake is still progressing well; with fields drying up producers are able to seed but may have to go around wet areas in the fields. Most cereals are seeded; canola and soybeans acres are still being planted throughout the North Interlake. During the past week, acres of winter wheat were fertilized. Winter wheat plant stands were rated as fair to poor with some acres being reseeded to canola. Spring cereals are starting to emerge along with some early seeded canola fields.

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