Significant precipitation has rained down on many parts of Manitoba, causing signs of moisture stress on some crops.

National Sunflower Association of Canada (NSAC) agronomist Troy Turner says he's not too worried about sunflower crops just yet, as typically they can handle significant moisture.

"Most sunflowers were in a stage that was anywhere from a four-leaf to a 10-leaf, so they're pretty large at this time," he says, "so they should be able to handle it very well."

Turner says last week's hail is a different story, however, with crop damage varying between fields. He says producers will have to wait and see what recovery looks like.

Turner says overall, sunflower crops seem to be off to a good start, although he recommends producers keep an eye out for little orange dots on the lower cotyledon and first and second leaves, as some fields in Manitoba are showing early stages of rust development.

"If they're there, you've got to take note of that," he says. "When the plants start to get into their reproductive stage, that's when our growers are going to really have to start looking at their plants, scouting their fields, and potentially being prepared to spray a fungicide for a rust when it comes to that point."

Turner adds this isn't something to panic about right now because the rust is just starting with sporulation.