WINNIPEG, June 20 (MarketsFarm) – Dryness has continued to be a province-wide problem for farmers in Manitoba despite recent precipitation, according to Manitoba Agriculture’s latest weekly crop report released on June 18.

The report stated warmer daytime temperatures helped crop growth, along with rain that fell throughout the province. Amounts ranged from two to 60 millimeters depending on the region. More rain is still needed across Manitoba.

Seeding was virtually complete, although there has been reseeding in some areas.

Flea beetles have been a problem with canola and there has been a great deal of cutworm damage to several crops. Spraying has continued in all regions.

In the Southwest region, seeding was 100 per cent complete and 25 to 60 mm of rain was received, which benefitted soybeans the most. Cereal crops were in the heading stage, while corn and sunflowers have been established, but growing slowly. Peas were nine to 10 inches tall. Pastures and hay land have benefitted as well from the rain, but more precipitation was still needed.

The Northwest had 13 to 39 mm of rain, which gave a boost to the region’s canola, but the crop has remained patchy. Cereals were in the seedling stage. Hay yields were low and dugouts were drying up.

There remained a great deal of dryness in the Central region, which received five to 45 mm of rain. Planting was 100 per cent complete as cereal crops were tillering, corn has grown at a moderate pace, and potatoes were emerging. Fall rye has headed out and winter wheat was in the stem elongation stage. Dry conditions limited hay growth, which raised concerns about feed shortages.

Only two to 15 mm of rain fell on the Eastern region. Soil moisture was rated at 80 per cent adequate. Cool temperatures have impeded crop growth. Fall rye has headed out and winter wheat was at the flag leaf to head emergence stages. Flea beetles and cutworms were an issue, as spraying continued. Hay land and pastures rated fair to very poor.

The Interlake received 10 to 15 mm of precipitation in its southern portion, and has struggled with dry conditions throughout. Canola has been reseeded due to flea beetles, frost, strong winds, cool temperatures and a lack of rain. Soybeans incurred similar issues, along with hail damage. There has been some reseeding of oats and barley for green feed. Some areas will see fields left unseeded due to dry conditions. Hay land and pasture growth has been very slow. Dugouts had below normal water levels with some that were dried up.