(File photo/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Alice McFarlane

2023 Manitoba Crop Report

Seeding in Manitoba nearing the finish line

Jun 1, 2023 | 9:51 AM

Most Manitoba farmers will wrap up seeding this week.

Manitoba Agriculture pulse and soybean specialist Dennis Lange is also the editor of the provincial crop report.

While seeding across the province is still behind the five-year average it is ahead of last year, according to Lange.

“With provincial seeding progress, we’re sitting at 81 per cent complete. That’s behind the five-year average of 91 per cent but expectations are by the end of this week most crops should be in the ground,” he said. “Seeding has progressed rapidly this year, which tells you that soil conditions have been good for planting.”

Lange said they are starting to see some of the cereal grains and field peas emerge. They are looking good so far, but it is a bit on the dry side.

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“We could use a little bit of rainfall,” he said. “The topsoil is a little bit drier than what we would like to see but there’s good subsoil moisture.”

Lange said most regions showing up at 50 to 60 per cent of normal moisture to highs of 80 to 90 per cent of normal. Moisture levels and the timing of seeding are all factors in how the crop is progressing.

“Crops like soybeans, for example, that were planted about eight to nine days ago with this warmer weather are starting to emerge from the soil right now. Whereas, if they were planted in the mid or early May time period, they’re taking a little longer, which is typical given cooler soil conditions but we’re seeing fairly rapid emergence right now, which is good.”

Lange said some areas have received rain since the crop report was issued and there are additional rains in the forecast.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

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