Seeding is underway across the province, but well behind the five-year average according to the first Manitoba Agriculture Crop report of the season.

Overall, provincially, producers were able to make significant progress over the last week with field work and seeding, but progress currently sits around 25 percent versus the average of 63 percent completed.

In the southeast, relatively dry conditions and above-average temperatures allowed producers to have a productive week in terms of field work and seeding. Soil temperatures moved into an acceptable range for all crop types during the past week allowing producers the flexibility to plant various crop types if field access was an issue on some of their land.

Approximately 50% of spring wheat and barley acres along with 30% of oat acres were seeded. Some early-seeded spring wheat is emerging. Corn planting progressed quickly over the last week with approximately 35% of acres now seeded. Approximately 25% of sunflower acres have been planted, while 10% of canola and soybean acres are complete.

Fertilizer applications were complete except for fields or field areas where access was still an issue.

Meanwhile, farmers in the southcentral region of the province have had a strong start to the Spring seeding season, with even more progress expected in the coming days with favourable weather conditions.

For the most part, seeding is continuing at a fast and steady pace. The Carman/Roland areas are further advanced in seeding than regions on the escarpment and heavier soils around Altona and along the Red River. Due to recent rains, many producers in these areas have yet to start seeding.

Very few canola acres have been planted to date, as producers concentrate on longer-season crops, or those more sensitive to seeding date. Canola planting stands at 8% complete, with sunflower seeding around 15%.

Field pea planting is at 64% complete across the province. Soybean planting has started with 9% of the projected acres planted.

The first spring cereals have emerged and are looking healthy. Flea beetles have appeared and are consuming volunteer canola. Weeds are quickly appearing in fields.

 

With files from Chris Sumner