Despite some trying weather over the past week crops in Southwestern Manitoba look pretty good.

Manitoba Agriculture’s weekly crop report reflects the damp conditions that have impacted the region.

Hot, humid conditions and rain pushed rapid crop development, but conditions were also ideal for disease infection. Most parts of the Southwest region received moisture during the week, and a low pressure system yesterday brought additional rainfall, further stressing already waterlogged crops in some areas further. Strong winds caused moderate crop lodging. Wet field conditions are causing field access problems for ground-based fungicide application.

Ryan Heinrichs is Branch Manager with Green Valley Equipment in Killarney. He says despite less than ideal conditions crops are still looking good. “It’s really positive. We started late this year and the crops are catching up pretty good.”

“We all have to remember it’s mother nature and the plant that decides when it’s time to harvest and not a date on the calendar. We’ll have to see how things progress and if we keep getting the rains and the crop keeps growing like it is the positive outlook will remain. But we still have to get that crop in the bin.”

While all eyes are on the crops Heinrichs says his staff is keeping busy.

“We’re going pretty hard with our 12 technicians in the back. We have haying season going in full swing and it’s one of the biggest hay crops we’ve seen in years. Guys are making sure things are fixed up and there’s going to be a lot of harvest pressure this year and farmers need to make sure things are ready to go” said Ryan Heinrichs.