Canada:Improved weather conditions help crop growth

Date:07-07-2011


Central Region

Warm/humid weather during the week provided for good growing conditions and rapid crop growth. Minimal rainfall occurred later in the week, mostly in western areas and ranged from 7 to 15 mm.
Crop staging varies greatly with crops planted late into wet soils, emerging erratically and showing signs of yellowing from excess moisture stress.

Winter wheat fields have headed out and fungicides to suppress Fusarium head blight are occurring. Spring cereals range from tillering to heading stages. Canola staging varies from seedling to 30 to 50%.

flowering in the earliest planted fields. The most advanced canola is at the proper stage for sclerotinia fungicide application. Later planted, broadcast seeded canola has emerged relatively well in situations where harrowing was performed to surface incorporate the seed. The fields are in the 2 - 4 leaf stage; fertilizer is being surface applied to those fields showing good potential.

Herbicide applications continue as producers and custom applicators continue to deal with the difficult field conditions caused by excess moisture. Some challenges facing them are varying crop stages and irregularly seeded fields left with un-seeded portions. Some herbicides have been aerial applied to control weeds in fields too wet for field equipment.

Leaf diseases are noticeable on cereal crops and fungicide applications are occurring as crops are reaching the flag leaf and heading stages. Soil moisture conditions are still considered high-excessive and combined with the closing dense crop canopy, will promote the development of leaf diseases.

Heat loving crops like beans, corn and sunflower are progressing well, but their development remains behind normal at this time of year.

Insect problems have not been reported and trap counts of diamondback moths and Bertha armyworm have been generally low this season.

Forage harvest is progressing with dairy quality alfalfa being put up as silage. Hay making is difficult due to the higher moisture conditions and untimely rains that delay drying and reduce feed quality.
Reported yields are in the normal range at 1.5 to 2.0 T/a. Pasture growth is keeping up to grazing and many pasture stands are headed out. Some are suffering from excess moisture and the soft ground is not suitable for grazing cattle. Some greenfeed is being seeded in areas that need forage supplies and were unable to seed all their cultivated acres.

Southwest Region

Spotty thundershowers over the past week brought varied rainfall ranging from 10 to 60 mm, with reports of severe weather in the Hamiota, Cardale and Newdale areas. As well, a major storm in the Reston area occurred with severe wind and large hail. In general, warm weather and humidity over the past week, let the crop advance and improve.

Winter wheat and fall rye are heading out and look good. Spring seeded cereal crops are tillering with earlier crop starting to reach flag leaf stage. Canola is starting to cabbage out and some early crops are bolting. Several producers are working on weed control as warm weather and limited rainfall has let the ground dry for ground equipment to travel on.

Crop quality varies a great deal with several crops still showing extreme moisture stress and now starting to show diseases. Over the next week producers will need to make the decision if disease control is needed or if there is value in applying fungicides.

Producers continue to seed greenfeed and control weeds in fields that have not been planted.

Some producers have started to cut tame hay and crop looks average to above average. Concerns around getting good quality as wet ground and weather is not great for curing.

Pastures are improving as water levels start to go down however some permanent damage has been done to some forage stands.

Interlake Region

Warm and dry conditions through the week allowed for rapid crop growth. Scattered showers brought slight amounts of rain across the region with Gypsumville receiving 15 mm of precipitation from a system passing through early July 4.

Crop staging is variable due to the wide range of planting dates. Canola growth ranges from cotyledon to flowering. Soybean crops are up to the fourth trifoliate leaf stage. Herbicide applications continue with green foxtail prevalent due to warm/dry conditions. Field activity along Lake Manitoba, mostly in the Ashern and Moosehorn areas, resumed with seeding of green feed crops. The Lundar and St Laurent area remains extremely wet with only limited field activity possible. Seeding is expected to wrap up late this coming week.

Insecticide applications are occurring on alfalfa seed crops as insect activity is high due to warm temperatures. Alfalfa seed weevil is present at economic thresholds on many fields. Leafcutter bee release is general.

Tame forage harvesting is occurring across the region with yields above average. Dry conditions have allowed for dry baling to occur. Field conditions are improving and producers are reporting complete coverage of some fields. This has not been possible on many fields for the past 3 haying seasons. Dairy producers have almost completed the first cut of hay.