Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives' report for September 6, 2011:

Eastern

Spring wheat harvest in the eastern part of the province is around 90 percent complete, according to Manitoba Agriculture's weekly crop report.

Yields are ranging from 25 to 60 bushels per acre.

Barley harvest is between 75 and 80 percent complete, with yields from 40 to 60 bushels, while oat harvest is around 75 percent done, with yields from 50 to 100 bushels per acre.

Canola swathing was largely completed last week, with about three-quarters of the crop combined.

Soybeans are changing colours, soil moisture status having a significant impact on the maturity process. Harvest is not far off, if dry, warm conditions persist.

There are some concerns about dry conditions limiting productivity of pastures.


Central

Cereal harvest in the central part of the province ranges from 50 to 95 percent complete, according to MAFRI.

Canola harvest ranges from 30 to 75 percent done.

Wheat yields have ranged from 30 to 60 bushels per acre; barley has ranged from 50 to 80, and oats, from 75 to 110 bushels per acre.

Canola yields have ranged from 10 to 55 bushels per acre with average yields falling in the 20 to 40 bushel range.

Cutting of edible beans may start this week. Soybeans have changed colour rapidly and harvest could start by mid-month.

Direct-delivery potato harvest has started with harvest of potatoes for storage expected to start later this week or next week.

Winter wheat seeding and second cut haying also continue. Moderate rainfall has helped pastures and hay land but growth is slow.


Southwest

Up to 70 percent of spring cereals are harvested in parts of southwest Manitoba.

MAFRI says the Killarney area is most advanced, while harvest is only 25 to 30 percent done in the Hamiota and Shoal Lake regions.

The majority of the canola crop is being swathed, while harvest of early-seeded canola has brought yields ranging from 10 to 30 bushels per acre, with some producers reporting 40 bushels per acre.

Winter wheat planting is underway and germination looks good to date.

Pasture productivity has been hurt by the dry conditions and some livestock producers may have to start supplemental feeding before the end of the month.