MarketsFarm — Another blast of heavy precipitation across southern Manitoba, the third in as many weeks, has already delayed seeding for pulses, according to a production specialist.
Laura Schmidt, a production specialist for Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers, said the 40 to 50 millimetres of rain across the region on April 29-30 all but guaranteed a later seeding period compared to last year.
Two separate Colorado low systems brought heavy snow and rain, as well as lower-than-normal temperatures to southern Manitoba during the previous two weeks. As a result, the Red River Valley and parts of the Interlake have seen the worst flooding in more than a decade.
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However, temperatures in the high teens are around the corner and Schmidt believes pea seeding can begin shortly.
“Wet weather has delayed seeding. I’m hopeful that the plus temperatures forecasted for this week will help dry and warm soils,” she said. “Compared to last year, pea seeding will be later this year. I am hopeful that the bulk of pea acres will be able to be seeded in the first half of May. As seeding gets later for peas, there is a greater risk of flower blasting if they flower during the heat of July.”
There’s still time to plant soybeans, Schmidt added, but warned yields are reduced on average by 15 per cent if they are planted in June.
“If seeding soybeans later than usual, double-check your variety’s days to maturity to make sure it will mature in advance of your average fall frost date,” she advised.
Those who grow dry beans shouldn’t have to worry too much, according to Schmidt.
“There’s still lots of time before dry beans need to go in, they are typically planted in the last week of May or early June as they prefer warmer soil temperatures and are very sensitive to late spring frosts.”
Manitoba farmers intend to seed 235,600 acres of peas in 2022, according to a recent report from Statistics Canada. That would be up from 224,100 acres in 2021.
Farmers in the province also intend to grow 1.306 million acres of soybeans in 2022, 11,000 acres less than last year.
Only 128,500 acres of edible beans are estimated to be seeded in Manitoba this year, compared to 193,300 in 2021.
— Adam Peleshaty reports for MarketsFarm from Stonewall, Man.
