Nearly all major crops have finished combining, with 37 per cent of Manitoba’s sunflowers finished, plus 71 per cent of grain corn and small amounts of soybeans and potatoes left to do.

Manitoba Ag also reported most of the fall fertilizer applications have wrapped up. As well, the planting of winter wheat and fall rye benefitted from warm fall temperatures and sufficient soil moisture levels, giving a good start to the 2026 crop.

Yields above average

The report placed this year’s winter wheat yields at 50 to 90 bushels per acre and fall rye at 60 to 110 bu./ac. with some instances of fields hitting 135.

Yields for the spring cereals ranged from 50 to 90 bu./ac. for wheat, with good quality and protein levels of 13.5 to 14.5 per cent. Although some later planted spring cereals did not fare as well due to wet conditions. Oats reaped 80 to 120 bu./ac. with barley at 80 to 110.

Corn yields varied, depending on the amount of rain received. Areas with limited rainfall saw 90 to 120 bu./ac. while those areas with timely rain had 130 to 150.

Among the oilseeds, canola yields were 30 to 60 bu./ac., flax at 15 to 35 and soybeans at 30 to 50. Sunflower yields are above normal across most of the province, but below normal in the Interlake.

The pea harvest registered at 30 to 70 bu./ac.

As for forages, the late season precipitation helped to extend pasture grazing. While hay yields were average, forage quality varied due to wet conditions. That was also the case with corn silage yields but greenfeed and cereal sileage were near average.

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“The outlook is positive for both the livestock and feed industries,” wrote FCC senior economist Leigh Anderson in the Oct. 8 report.

There was regional variability, but Canadian forage production overall was expected to have declined on the year while the grain crop was larger, said the FCC report.

“Most cattle producers are adjusting to lower forage production by making use of feed alternatives,” said the report, adding that “an abundance of feed grain supplies and improving profitability in the livestock sector are expected to support strong feed demand and sales.

A forecast for a record-large corn crop in the United States was expected to keep feed prices low in Canada, keeping a lid on increases in hay prices.

Canadian commercial feed sales projected to increase

Canada’s livestock sector has faced years of tight feed supplies and high costs, with expensive feed grains hurting the profits for both producers and feed mills. In 2022, commercial feed sales hit a record C$11.7 billion due to rising grain and oilseed prices, said the FCC. Sales dipped in 2024 and are expected to reach $11.2 billion this year, with a projected rise to $11.9 billion by 2026.

However, the numbers depend heavily on feed grain prices and could be revised down if prices fall. Most of the feed sales growth is expected in Western Canada, driven by poultry expansion, while dairy and hog sectors are expected to stay stable or grow slowly. Commercial feed sales in the cattle sector will depend not only on overall feed demand, but also on the need for additives and supplements to improve the quality of lower-grade feed available on cow-calf and feedlot operations, said the FCC.

Expanding poultry sector is an area of growing feed demand

Broiler production is expected to rise sharply in the second half of the year, with recent quota allocations averaging over seven per cent above base, said the FCC report. However, bird flu remains a major risk. Egg layer production has also seen steady growth since last year, as Western Canada recovers from the impact of bird flu a year ago. As a result, the expanding poultry sector remains a growing area of opportunity for the feed sector, said the FCC.

Stable feed demand for dairy and hog sectors

Despite the dairy herd size remaining unchanged, milk production has increased, driven by strong demand for dairy products, said the FCC report. Marketing boards have responded by issuing additional quota and incentive days to boost supply, which has contributed to improved dairy profitability. Dairy feed demand is expected to remain stable. Meanwhile, Canada’s hog sector is showing signs of recovery after several challenging years. The national hog inventory dipped slightly to 13.8 million head as of July 1, but improvements in hog prices and lower feed costs could lead to modest herd growth next year. Continued gains in productivity with more piglets born per sow could also support herd growth in the coming year. As a result, feed demand from the hog sector could rise if herd sizes increase, said the FCC.

Strong cattle price and abundant feed supply supportive of herd rebuilding

Canada’s national beef herd increased for the first time since 2021 in the latest data as of July 1. A continuation of strong cattle prices and easing feed costs could encourage more herd rebuilding, said the FCC report.

In August, feedlot placements were 12.2 per cent lower than last year, and this trend will be important to monitor as the fall calf run ends. If feedlot placements continue to trend lower, it could point to increased heifer retention. While that may mean less feed demand at feedlots in the short term, it suggests more on-farm feeding now and potentially higher feed demand in the years ahead, said the FCC.

Feedlot margins remain tight, but cheaper feed grains are helping. With plenty of feed grains available and record cattle prices, feedlots have an incentive to continue feeding cattle to heavier weights to improve profitability, which could lead to improved feed grain demand, said the report.

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Manitoba Agriculture reported both crops were about 52 per cent harvested, with the least in the southwest at 25 per cent and most in the central and eastern regions at 80 per cent. Early estimates placed yields for both crops at 40 to 90 bushels per acre, depending on how dry or moist a region was.

The spring wheat harvest reached six per cent finished, with the northwest at one per cent and the central and Interlake at 10 per cent. Yields so far were calculated at 45 to 75 bu./ac.

Wheat conditions by region had the Interlake at 90 per cent good to excellent, with the central, eastern and northwest at 80 per cent. The southwest was at 90 per cent good.

The barley harvest was pegged at eight per cent done ranging from five per cent in the Interlake and 20 per cent in the central. The oats were at four per cent combined, with the eastern and Interlake regions at five per cent in the bin and the central at 10 per cent.

As for the province’s corn, it’s in the R2 to R3 stages. Corn for silage was reported to be growing well in most areas.

The province’s field peas were 19 per cent combined, with the southwest at 10 per cent done and the central at 30 per cent. Yields were reported to be averaging 60 bu./ac. The fields not being combined were in the R6 to R7 stages with desiccation underway.

The canola harvest barely started with the central region at two per cent finished with preliminary yields of 45-55 bu./ac. No other region reported any combining of canola.

Among other oilseeds, flax was said to be filling bolls with some fields changing colour. Most sunflowers were in the R5 stage with full to late flower. Soybeans were in the R5 to R6 stages.

Recent rains have slowed some of the haying, but overall production was reported to be average. While some dairy farmers began a third cut of hay, cattle producers were struggling with a second cut.

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The spring wheat changed the most in the Interlake region, with the crop at 70 per cent good to excellent, down 20 points, while the fair to poor added that amount at 30 per cent.

Eastern Manitoba saw its spring wheat give up 10 points at 80 per cent good to excellent, while the fair to poor rating rose by 10 at 20 per cent.

Spring wheat in the central region climbed 10 points to 80 per cent good to excellent, switching from fair to poor now at 20 per cent.

Ratings for spring wheat in the southwest and northwest were unchanged at 85 per cent good to excellent and 15 per cent fair to poor.

The crop report said the earliest seeded spring wheat in Manitoba was in the late dough stage, with the winter wheat and fall rye in seed colour change. The barley and oats were in the grain fill stage and the corn ranged from V8 to tasseling.

As for the province’s canola, the extended planting period has led to the earliest seeded being fully podded to that going in late at mid-flowering. The flax ranged from late-stage flowering to bolls.

The sunflowers were R2 to R5, the soybeans were R1 to R3 and the field peas were largely filling pods.

Rain across most of the province was welcomed, with greatest amounts in the central and east regions. However, the Deloraine area in the southwest recorded the heaviest rainfall at about 61 millimetres.

Since May 1, the southwest has received 40 to 106 per cent of its normal precipitation, with the central at 37 to 92 per cent, the northwest at 31 to 83 per cent, and the east at 43 to 72 per cent. The Interlake remained the driest at 26 to 56 per cent.

The crop report said pastures were improving in the areas that got rain, but conditions still varied from location to location. Water levels in numerous dugouts were sufficient but on the low side.

The rain led to some haying being delayed. Dairy producers have largely wrapped up their second cut of hay, but beef producers aren’t expected to get a second cut.

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“Precipitation this week has brought some relief to crop conditions in certain areas, though prolonged hot and dry weather continues to be a challenge to crops and pastures in other regions,” said the report issued on July 25.

Ratings by region were mixed over the week, with central Alberta up six points at 93 per cent G-E. The northwest rated 71 per cent G-E but was down 11 points. The south rose three points at 64 per cent G-E and the northeast slipped four points, also to 64 per cent. The Peace dropped further in losing six points at 22 per cent G-E.

By crop, Alberta’s barley fared the best at 67 per cent G-E, followed by the spring wheat and dry peas at 66 per cent, the canola at 63 per cent, the oats at 55 per cent and tame hay at 42 per cent.

With the rain, the province’s surface soil added four points to the surface soil moisture levels at 57 per cent G-E. With 88 per cent G-E and four per cent surplus, the central led the rest of Alberta by a wide margin. The south was next at 50 per cent G-E, then the northeast at 48 per cent, the northwest at 43 per cent, and the Peace was far back at only 22 per cent.

As for subsurface soil moisture levels, Alberta tacked on one point at 48 per cent G-E. The central was at 80 per cent G-E, the northeast at 41 per cent, the south and northwest at 35 per cent, and Peace at 27 per cent.

The week’s moisture bumped up pasture ratings by four points at 52 per cent G-E.

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However, recent precipitation was variable with Manitoba Agriculture reporting up to 41 millimeters in the Ruthenia area of the northwest region to several locations receiving very little or nothing.

Among the cereals as of July 22, the province’s spring wheat continued with high ratings, led by the east and Interlake at 90 per cent good to excellent. Spring wheat in the southwest and northwest rated 85 per cent good to excellent and that in the central region was 70 per cent.

The crop report said the earliest seeded spring wheat was reaching the grain fill stage, while the winter wheat and fall rye were in that stage.

Manitoba’s corn was in V8 to tasseling, while the barley and oats were in head emergence to grain fill stage.

Of the oilseeds, the province’s canola ranged from fully podded in the earliest planted crops to early bolting for that seeded late. Flax was in the late stage flowering, with some of the crop with bolls. The sunflowers and soybeans were R1 to R3 while, late-planted soybeans were V5.

For the pulses, the field peas were flowering in most areas, with pods in the earliest seeded fields.

Manitoba Ag said pastures responded nicely to the rainfall, despite being scattered and inconsistent. Cattle on the pastures were reported to be in good condition.

Yields for feed ranges from average to below average, but there was some above average hay in some pockets of the northwest.

While beef producers very likely won’t have a second cut of hay, diary producers have found yields in their second cut have been low.

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While some areas received little to no rainfall, other places saw more than 60 millimetres, including Windygates in the central region (72.4 mm), Ninette in the southwest (62 mm) and Zhoda in the east (54 mm).

Northwestern and eastern Manitoba, as well as the Interlake, have large areas where accumulated precipitation since May 1 is below 50 per cent of normal. Most of central Manitoba and the southwest are at 70 per cent or less, while some places received more than 80 per cent of the 30-year average.

Spring wheat quality was rated at 90 per cent good to excellent across the province with the Interlake showing the best rating at 60 per cent excellent. The earliest seeded spring wheat is in anthesis. Meanwhile, winter wheat and fall rye are in the grain fill stage, while most corn fields are in the V8 to V10 stages. Barley and oats range from stem elongation to head emergence. Fungicide applications to prevent Fusarium head blight are still ongoing.

A long seeding window meant the earliest seeded canola is in full flower while late-seeded canola is in the four-leaf stage to rosette. Also, the earliest seeded flax fields are flowering while late-seeded fields are up to 15 centimetres tall and are budding.

Field peas have flowered in most areas, with the earliest seeded fields having progressed to the R2 and R3 stages and beginning to pod. Soybeans planted early are in the R1 and R2 stages, while those planted later are in the V3 to V5 stages.

Pasture conditions vary across the province, with dry and grasshopper-damaged areas found in the east, southwest, the Interlake and the Rural Municipality of Kelsey in the northwest. Beef hay quality has been good in areas with sufficient moisture, but some fields in the east, Interlake and the RM of Kelsey are seeing yields as low as 25 per cent of normal. While some dairy producers in eastern Manitoba are anticipating a second cut of hay, others in the Interlake don’t expect one unless there is substantial rainfall. Corn for silage is faring well, even in drier areas.

Cattle on pasture are in good condition, but fly pressure and foot rot were observed. Water levels in dugouts and natural waterways are lower than normal, with some at 50 per cent capacity.

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“The east and Interlake regions have large areas of accumulations below 50 per cent of normal. The majority of the central, northwest and southwest regions have accumulated less than 70 per cent of the 30-year average of precipitation,” the crop report said.

For the week ending July 1, numerous locations throughout Manitoba received very little to no rain. Those that received the most precipitation include Fisher Branch at about 12 millimetres, Gladstone with around 19, Elma at nearly 30, Inglis just short of 44 and Neepawa close to 58.

Among the province’s cereals, the winter wheat and fall rye are in the grain fill stage, while the barley and oats are in stem elongation to head emergence.

The corn ranges from V5 to V8, with that for silage said to be advancing rapidly.

Of the spring wheat, Manitoba Agriculture said only 10 per cent of the crop is in fair condition with none rated as poor or very poor. All of the regions reported their wheat at 90 per cent good to excellent. While eastern Manitoba has no spring wheat rated as excellent, 60 per cent of the crop in the Interlake is.

As for the oilseeds, the canola ranges from the four leaf stage to rosette, with the earliest planted fields in full bloom. The flax was reported to be to up 15 centimetres tall with buds forming. Of the soybeans, the earliest seeded are in the R1 to R2 stages and those sown the latest were in the V3 to V5 stages.

For the pulses, field peas have begun to flower with furthest along in the R1 to R2 stages.

The recent rains will help grass growth on Manitoba’s pastures. Beef producers have started haying, but there are reports of below average yields.

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Some much needed rain fell over parts of the province, with amounts varying widely from about one millimetre in several locales to as much as 65 mm in the Sprague area.

Manitoba’s spring wheat was rated at 90 per cent good to excellent, with the earliest seeded fields heading. The winter wheat and fall rye were in good shape as well with some fields starting to set seed. The corn ranged from V4 to V7.

Among the oilseeds, the canola ranged from early flowering in the early planted fields to later seeded crops in two to six leaf stages. The province’s flax was said to be 10 to 15 centimeters tall, and the sunflowers were in the V4 to V10 stages. Also the most advanced soybeans were at the sixth trifoliate.

The report said Manitoba’s field peas were primarily in the seventh to 12 node stages with the earliest seeded fields starting to flower.

As for the forages, corn for silage was growing well and haying was underway. Dairy farmers have largely completed their first cut while beef producers started to hay. The province’s alfalfa and clover have started to bloom and some grasses are heading out.

Pastures are largely stable, but there are instances of overgrazing.

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That’s 10 points more than where planting was last week and 10 above the five-year average. Also, it’s 12 points more than where farmers were this time last year.

The Manitoba crop report said the province’s east, northwest and Interlake regions have precipitation accumulations of 60 per cent below normal. However, the southwest and central region are upwards to 140 per cent above accumulations.

Over the last week, Sprague in the province’s southeast corner received the most rain at 4.7 millimetres, far more than the rest of the province. Most other areas had very little to no rain.

Cereals

The report said farmers have finished planting their spring wheat, while oats and barley were at 97 per cent complete. Cereal growth ranged from the two-leaf to five-leaf stage, depending on the crop and when it was planted. Some of the spring wheat was tillering.

As for the winter cereals, the winter wheat was at the flag leaf to boot stage and the fall rye at boot to head emergence.

Corn planting, for grain and silage, was finished and many fields were at the V1 to V2 stage.

Oilseeds

Farmers were still planting their oilseeds, with flax three-quarters finished, canola at 90 per cent, soybeans at 93 per cent and sunflowers just short of completion at 98 per cent. The report said emerged canola ranged from the cotyledon to the five-leaf stage.

Pulses

The province’s field peas were all planted, with the crop at the two to five node stage, while farmers hit 90 per cent sown for their dry beans.

Forages

The report said dairy producers were making their first cut of alfalfa in parts of the Interlake and central regions. However, forages need moisture.

As of June 4, rain is in the weather forecast come the weekend and the latter part of the coming week.

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