WINNIPEG — Manitoba farmers are slowly working their way onto fields as warm and windy weather helps dry down soggy cropland, according to the latest crop report from the provincial government.
Seeding progress across the province is estimated at 20 to 25 percent complete for the week ended May 8, with much of it centred in the south-central region. Cereals are the main crop to have gone into the ground so far along with a sprinkling of canola and peas.
Water levels are generally receding across the province despite rain over the weekend.
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Many producers report having to perform heavy harrowing or cultivating prior to seeding, and a heavier amount of fertilizer was needed than usual due to wet conditions in the fall.
Annual weeds like wild oats, smartweed and buckwheat have emerged in several areas. Some farmers have already sprayed herbicides, but high winds have kept a lot of other producers off the field.
At this point, it appears very little of the winter wheat crop in the eastern half of the province and Interlake survived winterkill. Many fields are being re-seeded while a few producers are attempting to get enough crop area together to grow seed for next year.
Most hayfields and many pastures are at near capacity for soil-moisture and many dugouts are also full.
