Manitoba
SOUTHWEST
Seeding is about one-third complete but was slowed by 10 millimetres of rain May 24-25. Some areas received 25 to 40 mm.
Crop progress varies with field peas, spring wheat and barley. Canola seeding is well underway for most, but some areas are reported to be almost half complete. Extreme wet field conditions have some producers considering broadcasting canola. Herbicide applications are taking place and some early seeded cereal crops are emerging.
Warm temperatures are benefitting pastures and alfalfa fields that are beginning to regrow. However, a significant amount of pasture and hay land is still underwater.
NORTHWEST
Rain hindered seeding progress May 24-25, but drying winds picked up over most of the region and temperatures increased, allowing producers to continue seeding. They are generally about one-quarter complete.
Wheat seeding is about half complete and some producers are reported to have finished in the Swan Valley and Roblin areas.
Seeding of canola, soybean and corn has recently started but was hindered by wet field conditions. Weed growth and volunteer crops improved during the week.
Precipitation and cool weather has delayed forage growth, but recent warmth is helping development. Many cattle have been moved to pasture as a result of low feed supplies and wet wintering conditions.
CENTRAL
The region leads the province with more than half the available cropland seeded. Some producers in the south and eastern areas have completed seeding, but others in the Gladstone region have just begun.
Precipitation varied considerably from 10 to 75 mm with reports of hail in the Austin and Plumas areas.
Emerging cereal crops are up to the early two leaf stage, and canola is in the cotyledon stage. Corn has just started to emerge.
Some producers are considering reseeding their winterkilled wheat back into winter wheat rather than a late seeded spring crop.
EASTERN
Half the seeding is complete but was slowed by rain ranging from 15 to 80 mm.
Most producers need less than a week to complete. Many are planting corn, soybeans and canola, while the cereals are being left until last.
Poor stands of winter wheat are being reseeded to canola and soybeans. There are reports of significant damage caused by wireworms, particularly in fields that have been direct seeded in terminated hay stands.
Grass growth is slow and fertilizing hay fields has begun.
INTERLAKE
Seeding is less than half complete, although acres have become too wet to seed in some areas. Progress was generally slowed by scattered precipitation with several areas receiving 20 to 60 mm along with strong winds and severe lightning.
Continued cool wet soil conditions have resulted in limited field selection for seeding. The earliest seeded crops are just starting to emerge.
Grass growth is improving but is below normal as cattle are moved to pastures.
Saskatchewan
It was a warm and productive week with much more than half the crops now seeded, which is on par with the five year average.
Emerging crops still lag normal development for this time of year, but most are in good condition.
Precipitation ranged from trace amounts to more than seven centimetres in some areas. Localized flooding, hail and wind caused some crop damage.
Topsoil moisture is generally in excellent condition for cropland, as well as hayland and pastures.
Availability of water for livestock is generally rated good.
SOUTH
The southwestern region continues to lead the province with seeding almost complete, while the eastern region is much more than half done.
The most rain fell in the Glenavon area with 41 millimetres, while the Moose Jaw area has accumulated the most this spring with 187 mm since April 1. However, rain will soon be needed further west.
Five percent of acres will go unseeded because of excess moisture.
Topsoil moisture for croplands, hay and pastures are all rated very good with about one-third rated as surplus.
More than half of the emerging fall and spring cereals, oilseeds and pulses are at normal development stages on the west side of the region for this time of year. The eastern region is experiencing the opposite.
Localized flooding and hail damaged crops in some areas, while cutworms and high winds caused damage in drier areas.
More than half the pastures are in good shape.
CENTRAL
Much more than half of seeding is complete, catching up to the five year average.
Rain fell over much of the region, delaying some seeding, but warm weather helped crops emerge quickly.
The Sonningdale area received the most precipitation with 44 mm, which brings its total received since April 1 to 172 mm.
A high percentage of topsoil for croplands, haylands and pastures are in adequate condition.
Many crops are just beginning to emerge, despite the warm weather, and are behind their normal stages of development for this time of year.
Most crop damage was caused by localized flooding, wind and frost. Some building and trees were also damaged.
Pasture conditions are improving with about half reported in good condition.
NORTH
Tremendous seeding progress was made over the week with much more than half the region now complete. About four percent of acres will go unseeded because of excess moisture.
The North Battleford area received the most rain in the province with 80 mm and the most since April 1 with 216 mm.
A high percentage of topsoil moisture for cropland, pasture and hayland is reported adequate.
Most crops are behind normal development. Flooding and hail are blamed for most of the damage.
Weed growth continues to be slow. Wet fields may prevent some producers from completing pre-seed or pre-emergence herbicide applications.
Alberta
Many producers are nearing the final stages of seeding. The weather has remained warm, but growing conditions are still about three weeks behind normal.
Rain slowed seeding in the northern and Peace areas.
Insects are beginning to emerge, particularly wireworms in the hilltops of cereal fields. Flea beetles and cutworms can also be seen on emerging canola crops. As a result, field scouting has become important.
SOUTH
Producers are mostly finished seeding. They are putting in some late seeded barley and gambling on a few late seeded canola fields.
Precipitation varied from 12 to 25 mm over three days. Soil moisture is reported to be ideal.
Early seeded wheat is moving into the three and four leaf stage, while the pea crop is now into the four to six node stage. Spraying for both crops is just beginning.
Canola is emerging nicely and will soon be sprayed. There have been isolated reports of cutworm activity and minimal disease pressure.
CENTRAL
Seeding is almost completed and producers will be soon be spraying. Many cereals are at the two and three leaf stages.
Three days of precipitation varied from 25 to 50 mm, which slowed flea beetle activity. Soil moisture is rated as excellent as are conditions for pastures and tame hay.
NORTHEAST
Many producers are waiting for their fields to dry so they can finish the last 10 to 15 percent of barley, oat and wheat seeding.
Precipitation varied from three to 26 mm.
Crops are emerging well and considered above average for the most part with minimal evidence of insect damage.
NORTHWEST
Farmers were almost finished seeding when 25 to 63 mm of rain fell over two to three days. Temperatures are now cooler, and there are reports that many fields have standing water.
Flea beetle damage is beginning to be reported.
Producers had begun spraying before the rain started.
Soil moisture, pasture growth and tame hay are rated as excellent.
PEACE
Producers are still seeding and most expect to finish in the next week to 10 days if fields dry after recent precipitation and cooler than normal temperatures. Many are looking for higher ground to plant after a few days of spotty precipitation, which ranged from 15 to 50 mm.
Crop emergence is very good and there have been isolated reports of spraying for flea beetles.
Soil moisture is excellent for most of the region, but several low-lying areas report surplus moisture.
The cool spring has slowed pasture growth and tame hay, but they are now beginning to thrive.
