Manitoba farmers made significant progress over the past week, with harvest now estimated at 28 per cent complete across the province. However, wet weather and heavy rainfall in several regions slowed field operations and limited the amount of combining and swathing that could be completed.
According to the latest provincial crop report, harvest progress varies widely by region, ranging from eight per cent complete in the Northwest Region to 46 per cent in the Central Region. Winter wheat and fall rye harvest is nearly finished, while spring cereal harvest has moved past the halfway mark for several crops. Barley is 58 per cent harvested, spring wheat sits at 54 per cent, and oats are 51 per cent complete. Yields for those crops are generally reported as average to above average.
Field peas continue to lead harvest progress, with 82 per cent of the crop already combined. The pea harvest is complete in Manitoba’s Central and Eastern regions, with average yields being reported. Meanwhile, canola harvest has reached 15 per cent completion, with yields ranging from below average to average. Soybeans and sunflowers continue to mature across much of the province.
For livestock producers, pasture conditions remain in good shape, and some cattle have already been moved to fall grazing areas. Producers are also reporting fewer cases of foot rot and pinkeye. Hay production is nearly complete, although recent rain has slowed the baling of hay and straw. Corn silage harvest has begun, while cereal silage harvest is nearing completion.
Recent rainfall created challenges for producers in some regions, but overall harvest activity continues to advance as weather conditions permit.
