Update No. 8, July 8, 2025 (below): Bruce visits a canola and soybean field and both crops are progressing nicely – the canola is bolting and flowering and the soybeans are in the V4 to V7 stage. A little bit of rain reportedly fell in the area which helped these two fields develop, but more precipitation will be needed in mid-July as a heat spell is forecast for this area of southern Manitoba. (Recorded June 27, 2025)
Update No. 7, June 30, 2025 (below): The fall rye and wheat fields Bruce last visited are progressing well, the fall rye field in particular growing exceptionally well. There has been limited rainfall where these fields are located in southern Manitoba, but so far they’re holding up. Bruce also visits a corn crop which has taken off since his last visit, but it will be needing rain soon in order to achieve its best yield potential.
Update No. 6, June 17, 2025 (below): Bruce visits a canola crop in southern Manitoba to see that it has advanced well past the cotyledon stage but showing signs of insect damage. The soybean crop he last visited in late May is progressing fine as well, but both crops are in need of rain as cracks are forming in the topsoil.
Update No. 5, June 10, 2025 (below): Wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan are wreaking havoc on northern communities and filling the sky with smoke. Could the resulting reduction in sunlight stunt crop growth in the Prairie provinces? Bruce shares his experience of the major eruption of Mount Saint Helens in Washington state in 1980 as a comparison.
Update No. 4, June 6, 2025 (below): Bruce visits a wheat and corn crop field in southern Manitoba and sees that the two crops are off to a fairly good start, but dry soils are a growing concern as soils are beginning to crack from lack of rain.
Update No. 3, May 27, 2025 (below): With seeding and planting operations nearing completion across the Prairies, Bruce visits four fields in southern Manitoba to gauge soil moisture conditions and looks at four crops – soybean, wheat, canola and fall rye – to see how they are progressing.
Update No. 2, May 9, 2025 (below): Weather conditions allow seeding operations to kick into high gear on the Prairies. Bruce visits a field of fall rye and shares concerns that the current dryness will need to quickly shift to precipitation to ensure the growing season gets off to a good start.
Update No. 1, May 5, 2025 (below): Temperatures are on the upswing on the Prairies and soil moisture levels are good for spring seeding. Plus, Bruce shares a quick and easy way to measure soil temperature in your field.
