Manitoba behind on spring seeding progress this year

Wheat is harvested on a Manitoba farm in July 2024. (File Image: Erik Nielsen)

Manitoba’s current seeding progress is significantly behind last year’s average, according to the province’s most recent report.

The Manitoba crop report released Wednesday shows Manitoba’s seeding progress for 2026 is at 37 per cent as of May 19, down from 57 per cent at the same time last year.

This year’s total is also below the five-year average of 43 per cent completion at this time.

The report said cooler temperatures and weather conditions have affected seeding progress throughout the province.

Farmers in the southwest also said wind storms in the region had an impact, with speeds between 100 and 115 km/h reported. The winds forced farmers out of the field entirely in some areas.

“Producers are hoping for a stretch of warm, favorable weather to complete cereal seeding,” the report reads.

In Manitoba’s northwest, farmers are dealing with saturated fields due to standing water from rain and snow. Producers in the area say cool temperatures, high winds and delayed growth have added to the challenge in spraying for weeds.