MANITOBA
Warmer weather is helping crops in some areas recover from too much rain, but other fields are stressed and yellowing. Crop death has also been reported in lower areas.
Elsewhere, warmer temperatures are allowing producers to apply herbicides and fungicides and conduct haying operations.
Southwest
The Pipestone, Reston, Hartney and Souris areas received more than 300 millimetres at the end of June, and crop losses are noted in areas south and west of Highway 2. Yield declines are likely.
Weed spraying has wrapped up and growers are applying fungicides on winter wheat, early seeded cereals, peas and canola crops.
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On July 2, field peas were reported in the bud to 20 percent flower stage, while canola varies from four to six leaf to bolting to 20 to 30 percent flowering, partly because of flea beetle pressure. Soybeans are in the third trifoliate stage.
Damage from cutworms is reported in cereal, canola and flax, and alfalfa weevil activity has increased.
NORTHWEST
Rain at the end of June on already saturated soil has caused erosion damage and flooding in the Grandview and Gilbert Plains areas. Ponding is also an issue in The Pas, Dauphin and Eddystone areas. Hay land conditions are largely rated as good to fair, but yields are expected to be average to below average.
Central
Localized flooding has damaged crops in the Westbourne, Bagot, Starbuck, Headingley and St. Francois Xavier areas.
Wind and rain delayed herbicide and fungicide applications in June, but farmers have made progress.
Cereal crops range from tillering to flag leaf emergence, while some acres are starting to head with the most advanced crops ready for fusarium head blight spraying.
Most canola fields have received the first herbicide application. Blackleg lesions are reported in some fields with the greatest concern in the southwest.
Corn crops are reported in the V3 to V4 stage while soybeans range from the unifoliate stage to the fourth trifoliate stage. Many soybean fields have yellowed, but are expected to improve.
Trap counts for diamondback moths are the highest in eastern parts of the region, where growers have also sprayed cereal and canola fields for grasshoppers.
Average yields have been reported from the first cut of hay.
Eastern
Crops across the region are doing well and most herbicide applications are complete with growers’ focus turning to fungicide work.
Diamondback moths have been reported in canola crops, along with European skipper in winter wheat crops and armyworms in ryegrass, although none at economic thresholds. Winter wheat, spring wheat and soybeans have been sprayed for grasshoppers.
Average hay yields are reported.
Interlake
Flooding is reported in low lying areas and in hayland in the extreme northwest and southwest. Hot weather crops are progressing well.
The threat of fusarium head blight is high and fungicide spraying has been made on winter wheat fields.
On July 2, canola was bolting and growers were expected to begin spraying for sclerotinia. Soybeans were reported in the third trifoliate stage and spring wheat in the flag leaf stage.
Hay yields on new stands are above average while aged stands have yields below average.
Saskatchewan
Most crops are rated as fair to excellent, although there are reports of crop and hay damage due to flooding, as well as damage from alfalfa weevil and cabbage seedpod weevil.
Surveys at the end of June indicate higher numbers of cabbage seedpod weevil than in 2012 as the pest moves into eastern Saskatchewan.
South
Livestock producers are haying. Hay quality is largely rated as good, although there are reports of damaged alfalfa stands from alfalfa weevil, which has required spraying.
Warm temperatures have improved conditions in areas with excess topsoil moisture, while areas in the southwestern part of the region will need rain in the coming weeks following recent high temperatures that have stressed crops.
Most crops are in good condition and at normal stages of development.
Central
Heavy rain and hail damaged some fields and others remain wet, delaying spraying. Topsoil moisture is largely adequate, although some crops are yellowing because of localized flooding.
Crop conditions are good, although some canola in the east-central areas are at multiple stages, hampering spraying. There have been reports of leaf disease and root rot in the west-central area.
North
Topsoil moisture conditions, which have caused some crops to yellow, are improving.
Most areas received rain in the June 25 to July 1 period, including 120 millimetres in the Neilburg area.
Hay quality is rated as good.
ALBERTA
Crop condition ratings are above five-year averages despite wet fields in the central and northwest areas and dry conditions in the northeast.
Crop development is ahead of five-year averages in the south and central regions. The northeast, northwest and Peace regions match that rating or are slightly behind.
Scouting for sclerotinia and late blight is encouraged. Haying is underway and pastures are rated as good.
South
Crop conditions are positive with most rated good to excellent.
Cabbage seedpod weevil numbers are high in some parts of southern Alberta, which will require control.
Central
Excessive moisture has hurt crops.
Crop development remains ahead of the five-year averages.
Northeast
The region has benefited from recent rain. Cereal crops are in the mid to late stem elongation stage.
Northwest
Cereals and canola are ahead of last year but slightly behind the five-year average.
