Manitoba Agriculture has released its first crop report of the season, providing valuable insights into the current state of seeding and livestock activities across the province.
Oilseed Specialist Sonya Wilson says seeding is just getting underway, with provincial seeding progress at approximately three per cent. This is ahead of the five-year average of one per cent. Farmers are currently planting spring wheat, peas, and a small amount of oats, particularly in areas west of Brandon and near Rapid City, with some activity in other regions as well.
She says recent rainfall in the central region has temporarily halted some seeding activities, with fields still too wet in certain areas. The focus remains on seeding spring wheat and peas, along with applying fertilizer and manure. In the northwest, seeding has not yet begun due to persistently wet conditions.
Livestock producers are busy with calving , checking and repairing fences and preparing to turn animals out to pasture. In the meantime, most cattle remain in their winter-feeding areas, waiting on pasture growth.
Wilson notes some forage has already been seeded in the eastern part of the province, with hay supplies generally adequate and some producers expecting carry-over. Dairy farmers in the eastern region have begun seeding forages and fertilizing hay fields.
Manitoba Agriculture's complete crop report is available here.