Manitoba
SOUTHWEST
Seeding operations are complete, and excess moisture has resulted in unseeded acres across the region.
Most areas reported 25 milli-metres, but Hamiota and northern parts of the south parkland region received 80 mm. Recently seeded fields have saturated soil and standing water.
Some fields are suffering from compaction and excess moisture, but crops are generally emerging well.
Weeds are rapidly growing, and many producers are seeing early disease issues in cereal crops and adding a fungicide with herbicide applications.
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Flea beetle activity is declining, cutworm feeding is on the rise and producers are busy scouting.
NORTHWEST
Heavy rain showers ended seeding options, ranging from 25 to 75 mm. Some greenfeed acres may still be planted.
There’s standing water in low lying areas, and many localized crops are starting to yellow.
Fields are generally showing good germination and emergence. In-crop herbicide applications are being made as conditions permit.
Many pastures and forage fields remain saturated, and little to no forage harvesting was done, although many are at the proper stage for cutting dairy-quality hay.
Dugouts are overflowing.
CENTRAL
Below normal temperatures and excess moisture put a halt to any remaining seeding and slowed crop development. Standing water in fields is common, and some acres have switched to greenfeed.
Nitrogen leaching, lack of oxygen in soils and iron chlorosis deficiency are becoming evident.
Herbicide applications were almost complete and will resume as fields dry. Weeds are rapidly growing, and rutting is evident in the wettest fields. Many crops have had one to two applications. Fungicide applications will target leaf diseases, and timing for fusarium head blight will be a challenge.
Flea beetle activity is declining, and diamondback moth numbers are low. Some acres of corn, sunflowers and soybeans were sprayed for cutworms. High populations of grasshoppers in some areas have been reported, particularly along headlands and roadsides.
EASTERN
Precipitation varied from 25 to 30 mm. Some areas experienced hail ranging from nickel to golf ball size, and crop damage is still being assessed.
Standing water is evident in many fields. Cereals, canola and soybeans are beginning to show signs of stress, including crop yellowing. Below normal temperatures have also affected crop development.
Limited progress made with weed spraying, which is estimated at 60 percent complete. Fungicide applications will continue as fields dry.
First cut of alfalfa has begun for most dairy producers. Yields are reported to be average or above average.
INTERLAKE
Precipitation ranged from 20 to 50 mm with hail reported in some areas. Soil moisture conditions are generally oversaturated. Some established crops are starting to yellow. Herbicide spraying is sporadic because of frequent rainfall.
Winter wheat has started to head in some areas, and spraying for fusarium head blight will begin soon.
Alfalfa seed growers are spraying insecticides on fields before releasing leaf cutter bees in seven to 10 days if weather permits.
There are reports of damage caused by cutworms in soybeans, canola, corn and sunflower fields.
Haying has started with good yields and quality.
Saskatchewan
SOUTH
Excessive precipitation halted seeding, although some producers may still plant greenfeed crops if time and weather permit.
Rainfall varied from small amounts to much more than 130 millimetres. The Vanguard area reported 138 mm of rain, which made it the wettest area in the province for the week. The Cadillac area has received 328 mm since April 1.
Localized flooding has caused some crop damage, particularly in eastern areas where many roads, yards and fields are under water.
Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are deteriorating in several areas and rated three-quarters adequate. Hayland and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated more than 80 percent adequate.
Crop development on many acres is behind normal, but appear in fair to excellent condition. In-crop herbicide applications are delayed because of excessive moisture, and some may soon be past optimal spraying stages.
CENTRAL
Unseeded fields will likely remain that way because of wet conditions, although there may be time for greenfeed crops if weather allows.
Foam Lake was the wettest area, receiving 121 mm. This brings the total amount received since April 1 to 343 mm, the highest amount in the province.
Cropland soil moisture conditions vary widely. Eastern areas continue to deteriorate and are now rated at about 25 percent adequate. Western areas are much better, sitting at about 80 percent adequate. It’s the same with hayland and pastures: the east is about 40 percent adequate and the west is about 90 percent adequate.
Many crops are sitting in water and beginning to yellow. Many in-crop spraying applications are past the optimal spraying stages.
Most crops are in fair to excellent condition, but warm weather is a now a priority.
Besides access moisture, crop damage is also attributed to insects, disease and localized light hail.
NORTH
Many fields remain wet, halting seeding progress. However, greenfeed crops may still be planted if conditions improve.
Recent heavy rain has flooded fields, yards and access roads.
The Bruno area received the highest precipitation with 91 mm.
Topsoil moisture conditions vary widely with about 40 percent rated adequate in the east and about 85 percent in the west. Likewise, hayland and pastures are rated about 30 percent adequate in the east and about 90 percent in the west.
There are reports that crops conditions are deteriorating, but overall they remain in good shape.
Crop development is delayed for this time of year, including haying operations.
In-crop herbicide applications are also late.
Alberta
SOUTH
There have been trace amounts of additional precipitation this week, and crops generally appear to be in good condition.
The soil profile is full. Several low-lying areas remain waterlogged and crops remain stressed, depending on the soil type. However, many crops are recovering quickly with hot and humid conditions.
Early seeded canola fields and pulses are just beginning to flower, and early seeded wheat is in the flag leaf stage.
Herbicide spraying is almost completed on late seeded crops and early fungicide spraying has started.
Reports of extensive damage caused by cutworms have some producers considering reseeding into greenfeed.
CENTRAL
Average precipitation varied from trace amounts to 25 mm. Crops have seen rapid growth and have almost caught up to normal development for this time of year.
There have been reports of sporadic sightings of cutworms and flea beetles, but minimal effort is needed to control them. Damage from wireworms is on the increase.
There are also heavier and earlier root maggot issues in some canola fields.
Early indications from monitoring suggest there may be upcoming issues with bertha armyworms.
Spraying applications are nearing completion. Disease levels remain low with little need to apply fungicides, but it’s expected to soon increase.
NORTHEAST
Cool temperatures persist, but a couple days of hot, humid weather have helped crops mature quickly. They generally look even and in excellent condition. Most canola is in the four to six leaf stage with bolting beginning in some fields.
Standing water remains in isolated seeded areas, which may cause recovery issues.
First pass spraying progress has been completed and farmers are on to their second applications.
Insect damage remains minimal but expected to become an issue if hot, humid temperatures continue.
Topsoil moisture conditions are excellent, and pastures appear in excellent shape.
NORTHWEST
Warmer conditions and timely rain have significantly sped up crop staging, but it remains behind normal. Precipitation varied from 12 to 30 mm. Some low-lying seeded areas were drowned out with little chance of recovery.
Overall topsoil moisture conditions vary from dry to adequate, but below surface conditions are excellent.
First pass spraying applications are complete, and producers are focused on second passes for canola as well as preparing for fungicide applications.
PEACE
Precipitation varied from trace amounts to 25 mm. Recent heat has spurred crop maturity. Crops are reported to be in good condition. However, nighttime temperatures remain cooler, and crops are behind normal. In-crop herbicide applications are almost complete.
