SIEMENS SAYS: Manitoba farmers harvest an above-average crop

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Despite the weather swings, from dry spells to heavy rains, Manitoba farmers have produced an average to above-average crop in quality and quantity.

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Having witnessed over 70 harvests, each year brings forth its challenges — whether it’s dryness, too much moisture, extreme heat, or drainage issues. Yet, the crops always get harvested, and this year is no different. Canola yields may be a bit lower, but the harvest looks good overall. Many farmers will store more of their grain in on-farm storage bins with commodity prices down, however, waiting for the right market opportunities.

A summary of this year’s harvest and crop conditions:

Dennis Lange, pulse and soybean specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, provided an update on the current harvest status in Manitoba. He said that yields for pulse and soybeans have been promising, with an average expected to be between 40 and 45 bu/acre (bushels per acre) across the province. In the central region, soybean yields have been excellent, ranging from 45 to 60 bu/acre.

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Lange stated that the overall quality of the crops have been good, with no issues related to frost. While facing some quality concerns due to wet weather in early September, dry bean yields have exceeded expectations and remain marketable.

As for harvest progress, Lange said that most areas are nearing completion. The Interlake region, which experienced delays due to rainfall and late seeding, is about 88% complete. In comparison, the northwest region is around 86% complete.

Despite some variability, Lange noted that wheat protein content was good, and no significant issues arose with the harvest overall. He stated that the weather forecast looked favourable, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, farmers should complete the harvest in the coming weeks.

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The canola harvest is nearly finished, with 98% complete across the province. The soybean harvest progressed rapidly this week, reaching 93% completion. In contrast, flax harvest has wrapped up in the Central and Eastern regions, with 89% finished province-wide. Corn harvest has begun in the Central and Eastern regions. Most farmers are progressing on fall fieldwork, including tillage, ditching, and ongoing herbicide and fertilizer applications.

For cereals, spring wheat harvest is complete in most regions, with yields ranging from 40 to 95 bu/acre and protein levels between 10% and 15%. Oat yields are estimated between 110 and 180 bu/acre, while barley yields range from 80 to 120 bu/acre. Corn harvest has started, with early yield reports ranging from 140 to 240 bu/acre. The canola harvest is 98% completion, with yields between 25 and 65 bu/acre and averages from 30 to 45 bu/acre. Flax harvest is 89% complete, with yields between 20 and 40 bu/acre. Sunflower harvest has started in the Central region, with 35% complete and preliminary yields of black oilseed sunflowers around 2,200 lbs/acre.

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The dry bean harvest is 99% complete, with average yields between 1,700 and 2,000 lbs/acre. Soybean harvest is ongoing, with yields ranging from 35 to 60 bu/acre and an average of 40 to 45 bu/acre. Corn silage harvest is complete in Eastern Manitoba, and beef producers are finishing up the remaining tame and native hayfields. Corn silage harvest in the province is approximately 75% complete, with dryland yields between 6 to 10 tonnes.

Alfalfa remains in good condition, with plenty of green material for overwintering.

Cattle herds are going off to pasture, with some herds moved to stockpiled forages or fall grazing sites. Cattle roundup has begun, with calves being weaned, sold, or backgrounded. Producers feed the cattle with hay on pasture or stockpiled fields, and manure spreads as they clean the corrals. Dugouts are mostly full.

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By region, in the Southwest, 90% to 95% of the harvest is finished, with canola and soybeans almost done, yielding between 30 and 45 bu/acre. Corn harvest is about halfway complete, while sunflower and flax harvests have also begun. Spring wheat is almost done in the Northwest, with yields averaging 65 to 70 bu/acre. At the same time, canola is 92% finished, though with lower-than-usual yields of 30 to 40 bu/acre. Soybean harvest is 85% complete in the region, with yields ranging from 35 to 55 bu/acre.

In the Central region, harvest has progressed well due to dry weather, with soybeans and dry beans almost fully harvested. Soybean yields averaged 45 bu/acre, while dry beans yield between 1,700 and 2,000 pounds per acre. Canola and corn are also nearly complete, with corn yielding between 140 and 240 bu/acre. In the Eastern region, corn is harvested 45% with yields between 120 and 170 bu/acre. Soybeans are 85% done, averaging 43 bu/acre. The Interlake region reports similar progress, with canola and soybean harvests almost finished and corn, sunflower, and flax harvests well underway.

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Robust harvest

My early years growing up on the farm, farming alongside my father and brother, and the past 53 years as a farm journalist have given me a deep understanding of the rhythm of harvest season. This year’s summary reflects a robust harvest season in Manitoba, with most crops well on their way to being completely harvested, thanks to generally good weather conditions until recent minor interruptions by precipitation. Yields have been variable, but the overall progress suggests a successful harvest season in terms of completion rates across various crops.

One further note: My activity on X (formerly Twitter) and several producer WhatsApp groups has been invaluable in staying informed, even if the chatter can sometimes go a bit over the top. These connections make farm journalism at my age not only possible but compelling. Embracing technology early on, purchasing my first computer in 1982, has been a real advantage. I greatly respect the entire network supporting food production — from agronomy, technology, and machinery to finance. And, of course, I applaud the hardworking farm families and workers who keep the industry running strong.

— Harry Siemens is a farm journalist, podcaster, speaker, writer and communicator

Have thoughts on what’s going on in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada or across the world? Send us a letter to the editor at wpgsun.letters@kleinmedia.ca

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