This week's crop report shows provincially 85 per cent of the crop is in the ground; that is up from last week's report of 57 per cent and ahead of the 5-year average of 69 per cent.
Oilseed Specialist Sonia Wilson puts together the weekly crop report and says most of the spring wheat, oats, barley, as well as grain and silage corn have gone in, while progress is also being made on the other crops.
"Producers are moving into canola here, so we're sitting at about 76 per cent complete. Flax is about 54 percent seeded, and then sunflowers are sitting at about 83 per cent, field peas, of course, have gone in, and we have most fields actually having emerged with the earliest seedlings at about the two to three node stage. Next, of course, would be soybeans, we're sitting at 76 per cent with many emerging this past week. Farmers are also turning to dry bean acres, across the province, sitting at 28 per cent, but the Central area is leading that at 45 per cent for dry beans."
She notes producers should be scouting fields as there are signs of flea beetles feeding on volunteer canola.
According to the report, isolated events brought variable rain accumulations throughout the province. Precipitation for the past week ranged from 0 mm to 21.8 mm. The Interlake only received trace amounts of rain (if any), while the Southwest corner of Manitoba and the western part of the Central region received between 5 and 22 mm.
The moisture will help with forage and pasture production; with the higher temperatures in the forecast, more rain would be welcome.
Forages are growing with alfalfa fields more advanced compared to the grass due to the different root structures being able to access more moisture.
The majority of corn intended for silage or grazing has been planted, with some seeding for cereal silage still underway in some parts of the province.
Unfortunately, some pasture production and infrastructure have been affected by recent wildfires in the southeast part of the province.
In other areas, we are starting to see some cattle being turned out to summer pastures, including community pastures. Others are waiting for another week or two to ensure their pastures have sufficient growth to sustain the herd and not to jeopardize season-long productivity.
Producers are checking fencing and pasture conditions and doing spring vaccinations in preparation to turn animals out.
Overall, dugouts appear to be in better condition than expected given the low levels of moisture; however, there are reports of lower water levels for livestock availability at present for The Pas and Swan River.