This week's crop report shows crops are advancing quickly and are reportedly in good condition.

There is some concern for later planted fields that are showing uneven and thin stands due to dry topsoil.

Cereal crops are in the four-leaf to full flag-leaf stage. Winter cereals remain in good condition with staging for fall rye at the milk to soft dough stage, winter wheat has hit the flowering to milk stage. Corn has advanced rapidly with the recent heat and most of the fields are at the V5 to V8 stage. 

Oilseed crops in the province are advancing rapidly with producers still monitoring for flea beetles. Canola is in the two-leaf to flowering stage on the early seeded fields and has moved past its most vulnerable growth stages in most areas, other than the later planted fields. Sunflowers are in excellent condition and have hit the V6 to V10 stage, while most flax crops are at growth stage 5 (stem extension).

Pulse and soybean crops are in good to excellent condition as producers assess the need for fungicides with the field pea crop now in the eighth node to early flower. Soybeans are now in the first to fifth trifoliate stage with iron deficiency chlorosis observed in most regions. There are a few reports of producers spraying for cutworms in dry beans as the crop is now in the first to third trifoliate stage.

Rain is needed for forage and livestock producers. Dairy producers have completed their first cut and about 50 per cent of beef producers have started haying.  Hay yields are highly variable due to the patchy rainfall. Hay and pasture growth has slowed and is showing signs of moisture stress. with hay yields expected to be down from last year.  Second cut hay operations will be minimal without significant rain.  Cattle are out on pasture and grass conditions are mostly good, fly pressure is strong and is contributing to issues with pink eye. With the hot, dry conditions hay and pasture growth has slowed and is now showing signs of moisture stress. Producers are reporting hay yields will most likely be down from last year. 

Overall, water tables are decreasing dramatically and dugouts are approximately 50% full with water supplies in the Southwest region reported to be in good condition.

There are now reports of alfalfa weevil, with some producers considering the need to spray following first-cut. Grasshopper populations have increased in the Northwest region adding further stress to hay fields and pastures. Pesticides are being applied where warranted.

Regional updates can be found in the Manitoba Crop Report here.