Weekly Provincial Summary

Provincial seeding progress sits at 65% completion, behind the 5-year average of 96% for Week 22. Progress remains highly variable within each region, and many wet spots and low-lying areas are left unseeded in an effort to maximize equipment planting time.

Crop progress is about a month delayed from normal stage expected for the first week of June, due to repeated weather-related delays.

Farm operators are forced to work very long hours, or overnight for 24 hour periods in an effort to seed crops while soil and weather conditions permit.

Poor condition gravel and dirt roads reduced timely field access in many regions, forcing growers to find alternate routes to fields, or travel at much slower speeds than normal.

Weather and soil conditions have led to shifting acreage plans, or order-of-operations changes.

Overview

Widespread, heavy rains began last week, forcing a stop to all field activities until this weekend, with the exceptions of the Northwest and much of the Southwest region, which saw significant increases in seeded acreage. The following days were dry, windy and cool, warming up over the weekend when many farmers were able to continue field preparations for seeding.

Producers switching between seeded crops has been the norm, taking time to recalibrate seeding equipment and move operations is slowing progress, but overall growers are very mindful of picking their driest fields and seeding whatever was intended for that land as soon as they are able. High weed pressure as a result of an abundance of moisture has many growers attempting to spray where they can, but prioritizing land preparation and seeding tasks to meet seeding deadlines on remaining crops (Figure 2).

Shifting acreage from corn, soybean, and some sunflower crops to canola, wheat, oats, and barley has caused supply constraints at retailers. Fertilizer supply is sufficient, but canola seed may not be, or retails have trouble sourcing enough seed and chemical to cover off new canola or cereal acres. Farmers are encouraged to speak with their agronomist, retailer, chemical representative, and custom applicator as soon as possible to mitigate issues. Manitoba farmers’ outlook for 2022 has been discouraged by poor weather, logistic delays, and extreme commodity risk. Farmers, livestock producers, ag-retailers and support networks are encouraged to connect with each other, and reach out to counselling and stress support services as needed.

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