It was (mostly) another hot and dry week with no significant moisture.

The dry conditions in several areas are starting to effect crop tillering and growth.

Manitoba Agriculture reports that any precipitation is welcome and most areas in the region remain short for moisture. Rainfall in some areas has been very beneficial, but regular rains will be necessary to take crops to harvest. Growing degree-days and corn heat units are close to normal. Precipitation continues to be normal to below normal.

“Where the rains have fallen, we’ve been busy applying fungicide and the guy with cattle have been busy haying,” said Rick Tilbury, who farms around Melita and he says moisture this year has been isolated.

In general, crops look to be average, however they could slide into below average this week if rain does not arrive. 

In areas like Neepawa, it is also looking good, but they need moisture to get the full potential.

Fall rye and winter wheat are filling well. Still reports of some cereal armyworms and grasshoppers damaging the crops so spraying is happening in some areas. Spring cereals are at flag leaf to the late anthesis stage, with some of the early seeded crops in head fill stage.

Most canola crops are flowering with the early seeded crops in full bloom.