Seeding is approximately 10 days behind normal in Manitoba, as frequent showers and cool temperatures in May have slowed progress.
In its weekly crop report, Manitoba Agriculture said the situation is most acute in the western half of the province. As of May 20, five to 10 percent of the crop was seeded in southwestern Manitoba and approximately 10 percent in the northwestern growing region.
A few farmers in the western half have planted canola, spring wheat and peas, but 25 to 40 millimetres of rain over the long weekend brought seeding operations to a halt.
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The east-central region is the most advanced. Growers around Carman, Oakville and Morden have seeded 50 to 60 percent of the crop. They’ve seeded 80 percent of the corn crop and 90 percent of all cereals.
Winterkill of winter wheat ranges from 15 to 70 percent throughout the central region. Producers are reseeding affected fields with spring crops.
The cool temperatures in May, with most days struggling to exceed 15 C, have retarded weed emergence. Hard frosts have killed some volunteer canola.
Many growers continue to wait for warmer temperatures before planting soybeans.
Producers in Eastern Manitoba have reported seeding progress of 10 to 50 percent complete, but 25 to 50 mm of rain over the Victoria Day weekend could shut down seeding for several days.
Seeding is approximately 20 percent complete in the Interlake. Growers in the southern half of the region are more advanced.
Cool temperatures and frost has delayed pasture growth. Many producers who moved cattle onto pasture are providing supplemental feed.
