Central Region

Temperatures reached 30 to 35°C on Friday, allowing for rapid crop growth. Seeding is essentially complete, with only a few fields left to be planted in areas that were wetter. The region received some rainfall this past week, with amounts received ranging from 5 to 10 mm. Cartwright and Glenboro areas received upwards of 25 to 30 mm; Macgregor reported 25 to 60 mm; an area by Belmont reported a downpour of 75 mm. Some hail was reported; damage is localized and not considered severe at this stage. Dry topsoil conditions prevail in lighter textured soils in the southwest part of the region and germination is impacted as a result. Strong southerly winds caused soil blowing on fields with poor crop residue cover. Topsoil moisture conditions are just adequate for seed germination in lighter soil types. Most areas could use a good rain to improve topsoil moisture for germination and growth. There is adequate subsoil moisture to sustain crop growth.
 
A few fields of canola were reseeded due to poor emergence and flea beetle damage.
 
Uneven germination is seen in fields with poorer seedbed conditions. A moderate rainfall event would be beneficial to stimulate growth in the wheel tracks of field implements.
 
The majority of cereals are emerged and growing well. Most cereal crops range from three to four leaf stage to as much as 5 to 6 leaf and tillering.
 
Earlier cooler weather conditions and dry top soils delayed canola emergence and growth allowing for flea beetle injury to occur. Insecticide applications are being made to headlands, and in a few cases, entire fields. Canola fields are in the cotyledon to 4 leaf stage in eastern areas where the crop has been in the ground the longest; some fields are close to cabbaging. Many fields, particularly the earliest seeded canola, are stagey due to uneven emergence.
 
Diamondback moths are monitored weekly; trap count numbers are low to date.
 
Corn fields are in the 1 to 3 leaf stage and have been growing slowly due to the cooler temperatures. The warm weather conditions in the last few days have stimulated crop growth. Sunflowers and flax are emerging; seed rows are evident. Soybeans are germinating to unifoliate stage, with some fields in the first trifoliate. Field peas are growing well, up to the 6 node stage and further. All but the last few fields of edible beans are seeded.
 
Winterkill is a concern in some winter wheat and perennial ryegrass fields in the eastern parts of the region, with the majority of acres re-seeded as a result. Fields in western areas with good survival are growing and tillering well; stem elongation is evident and fall rye fields are heading out.
 
Post-emergent herbicide applications continue to be a challenge due to the windy conditions. There is a lot of both broadleaf and grass weed pressure in many fields, especially where early application attempts were thwarted by adverse weather conditions. Dandelions, Canada thistle, wild buckwheat and smartweed are the predominant weeds in eastern areas. Wild oats seem to be more of an issue in western parts of the region. Barnyard grass is evident in low areas, and where crops were poor last year due to excess moisture. Purslane speedwell, an indicator of wet soil conditions the previous season, has been found in a number of fields in the eastern part of the region.
 
The majority of wheat acres in the east are sprayed with herbicides, followed closely by canola acres. First pass in soybeans is underway, especially in fields that didn’t receive a pre-seed or pre-emergent herbicide application.
 
Some top dress nitrogen applications are being made.
 
Pasture conditions are rated as fair; but range from poor to good. Excess moisture is still a concern for some pastures and hay fields; yet many need a good rain. Forage growth is progressing, grasses are heading out. Alfalfa in the northwest part of the region has suffered winterkill and fields have uneven growth. The hay crop looks below normal at this time due to winter injury and dry weather conditions. Haying will start in the next week. Pasture growth is just becoming adequate to turn cattle out to graze. Livestock water supply is adequate.