Dry conditions and unseasonably warm temperatures have resulted in strong progress when it comes to harvesting the 2024 crop, according to the latest Manitoba Crop Report.
Despite some recent localized rainfall and frost over most of the region, the latest Manitoba Crop Report shows that overall, harvest in the Northwest is 25 per cent complete.
Unsettled weather events did bring thunderstorms to parts of the region recently, including hail in the Swan Valley area, with varying degrees of damage to some crops.
Pipe Lake station received the most recorded precipitation at 16 millimetres, while the lowest recorded precipitation was at the Swan River station with just under one millimetre of rain. Some areas along the western portion of the region received a light frost, with temperatures close to 0C, but it was not a killing frost. The Swan Valley station had the lowest recorded overnight temperature at 0.5C. High day time temperatures helped crops to move along with The Pas station recording the highest recent temperature of 32.6C.
Yields continue to vary widely and are dependent on early season rains.
Some crops remain lodged from previous high winds and continue to be a challenge for harvest and may possibly affect quality with recent rains and heavy dew. Some post-harvest field operations are also being completed as time allows.
When it comes to early crops, the winter wheat and fall rye harvest is all but complete in the northwest region, and across the province, at 99 per cent.
Yield reports range from 40 bushels per acre to 110 bushels per acre for fall rye and winter wheat.
Reseeding of the two crops for 2025 has also begun in the area.
The spring wheat harvest in the region continues its strong progress, with most of the area around 40 per cent complete. Lodged fields have slowed progress for some producers
Yields have been widespread, averaging from 65 bushels per acre to 70 bushels per acre, while some fields have done even poorer at 40 bushels per acre to 50 bushels per acre and some better at up to 80 bushels per acre.
Initial reports of quality have been good, however, there have been some reports of lower protein.
