Seeding season is off to a slow start in eastern Manitoba, according to a local seed specialist.
Karis Hutlet, Sales Associate and Agronomist with Marc Hutlet Seeds in Dufresne, says, still, farmers are feeling optimistic with warm weather in the forecast and equipment prepped and ready to roll.
“So far, we’ve had a bit of a soft start. This week’s rain has delayed us now, but the forecast looks brilliant, and we’ve heard that some cereals and some corn is going in, so we’re getting excited.”
According to the latest Government of Manitoba Crop Report, most producers in the region are still waiting for fields to dry up. The Steinbach area was the driest in eastern Manitoba last week, only seeing 2.2 millimetres of rain, while Sprague Lake topped the charts with 15.6 mm.
Despite the moisture, Hutlet says things are looking fairly good for this time of year.
“I think so,” she says when asked if there’s enough moisture to get started. “You know, a couple of rain events can really change that. We do look for snow cover in the winter, especially for those perennial fields. So far, no major concerns there. We’re gonna check some alfalfa and stuff like that in the next few weeks. But no, we’re pretty happy with where things are sitting moisture-wise.”
As for what’s going in the ground first? It’s mostly what you’d expect.
“Mostly oats, wheat, things like that first, and then some guys are starting in corn actually already,” she says. “Which is always kind of interesting when it’s April corn, but yeah, we’re on the right track.”
Province-wide, about 3% of fields are seeded, slightly ahead of the five-year average of 1% for this point in spring. And while there’s been limited seeding in this region so far, farmers are already applying liquid fertilizer and wrapping up winter cereal fertilizer applications on drier fields. A few fields of wheat and peas are already in, and manure spreading has begun in some areas.
There are a few shifts in crop plans this year as well. According to Statistics Canada, canola acres in Manitoba are expected to be down from last year (3.12 million acres vs. 3.34 million in 2024), while spring wheat and soybeans are up. Sunflowers are also making a bit of a comeback on some farms.
And with temperatures forecast to hit the high 20s this weekend, Hutlet has a reminder for motorists in the southeast.
“Yeah, there will be a lot of traffic, a lot of big units out there. You know, just slow down and be careful and watch out and remember that we have to share the road.”