Agro Perspectiva

Fusarium a Concern in Manitoba Spring, Winter Wheat Crops

25.08.2010 12:53 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) — Fusarium head blight remains a major concern in some Manitoba spring and winter wheat crops, according to this week’s provincial crop report. In the Eastern region, canola harvest increased to 10% complete with yields ranging from 30 to 40 bushels/acre in southern districts of the region while the average yield expectations in northern regions ranged from 10 to 20 bushels/acre. Southwest Region: Harvest of cereal crops began in the Southwest Region. Spring wheat yields range from 30 to 40 bushels/acre with average quality as fusarium head blight is a concern in some samples. South of Highway #1, barley harvest is 40% complete with reported yields of 40 to 70 bushels/acre; barley harvest has just started north of Highway #1. Winter wheat harvest is about complete in the southern areas of the region with yields ranging from 30 to 65 bushels/acre. In the northern areas winter wheat harvest is just starting with reported yields of 60 bushels/acre. Fusarium head blight is the main downgrading factor. Pea harvest is 50% complete with yields ranging from 25 to 50 bushels/acre. Hail that was seen in some areas of the region has reduced yields and quality. Several producers are swathing canola. Wet conditions in some areas of the region are causing harvest problems as equipment continues to get stuck. Northwest Region: Cereal development ranges from 50 to 60% mature with 10% swathed and 7% combined. Initial wheat yields vary from 25 to 50 bushels/acre. Winter wheat yields are also variable, ranging from 30 to 55 bushels/acre. Approximately 20% of the canola acres are swathed. Wet conditions have producers avoiding the low wet areas of fields and rutting is visible from swathing and harvest operations. Central Region: The week started with cooler than normal temperatures but increased gradually during the week providing favourable harvesting conditions. Most of the small cereals grains are mature or near maturity with the wheat harvest ranging from 30 to 70% complete. Harvest is most advanced in the Red River Valley. Most spring wheat samples are grading #1 and #2. In the Portage La Prairie area, heavier rains have caused some further downgrading of wheat. Barley and oat harvest is underway with variable yields in the areas that suffered excess rain. On the western side of the region, yields are average to above average with good quality grain reported. The canola crop is ripe or ripening fast in the region and harvest of the earliest planted fields are progressing well with 25 to 40% of the canola acres already harvested. Majority of the canola crop has reached maturity and is being swathed. Canola yields are quite variable in the Red River Valley mostly due to excess moisture earlier this season. On the escarpment, canola yields are average to above average with good grades reported. Eastern Region: Precipitation last weekend followed by a few days of cool weather earlier in the week caused some delays in haying and harvesting for many producers in the eastern region. As warmer seasonal temperatures improved throughout the week, harvest was in full force by the weekend with significant progress made in cereals and canola acres. Considerable progress was made in spring wheat as harvested acres reached 75% with yields ranging from 15 to 60 bushels/acre with FHB levels ranging from 0 to 3%. Yields appear higher and quality consistently better in southern districts of the Eastern region where less damage from excess moisture was experienced. Oat harvest is underway with approximately 15% of the acres complete and 30% in swath. Oat yield improved from last week with reports of 110 bushels/acre harvested with good test weights. Winter wheat harvest is now complete with yields ranging from 40 to 70 bushels/acre and FHB levels ranging from 1 to 17%. Canola harvest increased to 10% complete with yields ranging from 30 to 40 bushels/acre in southern districts of the region while the average yield expectations in northern regions ranged from 10 to 20 bushels/acre. Canola quality is very good with no green seed issues being reported. Interlake Region: Rainfall early in the week delayed field operations until mid to late week. The central and western Interlake areas that received significant precipitation early last week had almost no harvest activity during the week. Warm and windy weather on the weekend provided good drying conditions and allowed for good harvest progress. Harvest of spring cereal crops is general with reported yields variable to date. Swathing of canola is nearing completion. Many crops have variable crop development making swathing decisions difficult.