The AgriPost
September 27, 2024
Heavy Rains Bring Both Relief and Harvest Delays
Heavy rains, ranging from three to six inches, have swept through parts of Southern and Southeastern Manitoba, raising concerns among farmers regarding their crops. Photo by Harry Siemens
By Harry Siemens Heavy rains, ranging from three to six inches, have swept through parts of southern and southeastern Manitoba, raising concerns among farmers regarding their crops. However, many farmers welcome the extra moisture, viewing it as beneficial for the growth of their fields despite the challenges it may pose for some. While too much rain can cause issues, additional water is primarily helpful for agriculture in the region. Brunel Sabourin of Antara Agronomy in St. Jean-Baptiste, MB, highlighted that heavy rain in mid-to late Sep-
tember could pose challenges for harvesting beans and corn and delay fall fieldwork. While beneficial in some cases, the excess moisture may complicate certain crops’ drying and harvesting process, creating potential setbacks for farmers aiming to complete their seasonal work. “We were dry before this rain, so even if we don’t receive any additional rainfall in the foreseeable future, we should still be able to return to the land and harvest the remaining harvest without making a mess,” he said. “While this rainfall doesn’t benefit this year’s crop, it will help
get the 2025 crop off to a good start!” Bob Kleinsasser from Suncrest Colony near Steinbach, MB, expressed concern that fall fieldwork may not be possible after receiving 6 inches of rain. The heavy rains have left the fields so wet that they may only be able to complete the harvest once frost allows for better field conditions. This significant moisture has delayed harvest and any potential fieldwork for the season. Manitoba Agriculture’s weekly crop report said harvest continues in spring cereals and canola, with yields re-
ported between 25-90 bu/acre for spring wheat, 80-180 bu/ acre for oats, and 90-115 bu/ acre for barley. Canola harvest is around 49% complete. Corn crops are maturing rapidly, with cobs in the dent growth stage. Sunflowers are progressing well, with earlier seeded fields reaching physiological maturity (R9 stage), while later fields are in the R8 stage. Overall, crop conditions are good as the harvest progresses. The crop report noted that spring wheat yields are estimated between 60-90 bu/acre, averaging 70 bu/acre in the Central and Eastern regions. Continued on Page 2...
2024 Farm Cash Receipts Vary for Livestock, Crops By Elmer Heinrichs Livestock ranchers and crop producers are on opposing ends of the spectrum when it comes to farm cash receipts for the first half of the year, with livestock folks currently on top. For the first two quarters of 2024, farm cash receipts across the country were down 3.2 per cent in total from the same time last year – with crops dropping 11.4 per cent and livestock rising 8.5 per cent, according to Statistics Canada’s latest report. In Manitoba, total receipts were down slightly less than the national average, at 2.3 per cent. During the second quarter, receipts were up across the country by 4.7 per cent, with Manitoba leading the nation in April-June period, up 6.4 per cent. Jill Verwey, president of Keystone Agricultural Producers, said while 2024 prices are still far below farmers’ expectations, at least the weather is co-operating. Although it is still early in the harvest cycle, there are reports, despite the declining commodity prices, many cereals producers could bring off a large crop. During the first two quarters of the year, hog receipts were up 9.5 per cent across the country – an additional $269.3 million in producers’ pockets – because of a 9.6 per cent increase in price, with as 13.4 per cent increase in export sales. Whereas other provinces have seen some decline in hog herds because of processing closures in Alberta and Quebec, Manitoba’s has remained quite stable. There are about eight million hogs in Manitoba and about 90 per cent are exported either live to the US or as cut pork into international markets. According to Statistics Canada, farm cash receipts for Canadian farmers totalled $47.4 billion in the first two quarters of 2024, down $1.6 billion or 3.2 per cent from the same period in 2023