By: Wendy McDonald – MPSG Production Agronomist – West
This update covers field conditions up to May 20, 2026.
Equipment sits in the field ready for seeding and rolling of field peas south of Grandview on May 15, 2026. Photo credit: Wendy McDonald Equipment sits in the field ready for seeding and rolling of field peas south of Grandview on May 15, 2026. Photo credit: Wendy McDonald
We received a call from organizers of the Manitoba Agriculture Weed ID clinic that was to be held in Brandon on May 21. Due to the cool weather and slow weed growth, some of the weeds in their weed garden hadn’t made an appearance yet. The organizers asked if I might be able to provide some live samples of storksbill and hemp nettle. Luckily I knew of a few places “where these ones love to hang out” south and north of Grandview, so I went hunting. I sent along a sample from our farm of what I think is speedwell also.
The weeds storksbill (top left), hemp nettle (bottom) and speedwell (top right). Photo credit: Wendy McDonaldPeas in at 1 3/4″ to 2″ deep after rolling at a field south of Grandview on May 19, 2026. Photo credit: Wendy McDonald The only weeds growing are stinkweed, found south of Grandview on May 19, 2026. Photo credit: Wendy McDonald
Drills were rolling west of Grandview but some low spots were still too wet for travel on May 19, 2026.
Soybeans being planted west of Dauphin on May 19, 2026. Photo credit: Wendy McDonald There was still snow in Riding Mountain National Park on May 19, 2026. Photo credit: Wendy McDonald
On May 19, 2026, I surveyed massive soil erosion caused by intense winds that came on May 14. Top soil and nutrients accumulated in ditches and bush lines.
Soil erosion on the east side of a field north of Forrest. Photo credit: Wendy McDonald Soil erosion on the north side of a field north of Forrest. Photo credit: Wendy McDonald Soil erosion on the east side of a field north of Forrest. Photo credit: Wendy McDonald Soil erosion on the east side of a field north of Eden. Photo credit: Wendy McDonald
These videos, taken at Eden, show how much beautiful topsoil moved off the field in the wind on May 14, 2026.
Soil erosion in the north end of a field in Dauphin. Photo credit: Wendy McDonald Soil erosion in the north end of a field in Dauphin is already being cleaned up from the ditch. Photo credit: Wendy McDonald Soil erosion caught in a shelter belt on the east side of field in Dauphin. Photo credit: Wendy McDonald
On May 19, 2026 while checking on peas seeded near Neepawa, that were not emerged yet, I did find some pea seed that got pushed a little deep after rolling and other areas of the field had great seeding depth.
On May 20, 2026, I stopped in at a soybean field west of Dauphin one day after seeding and rolling. It had very nice seeding depth 1 1/2″ to 2″.
On May 20, 2026 I headed down to southwest Manitoba, just north of Deloraine near the junction of #3 and #21. There was a quick harrow and then black and great northern beans going into the ground.
There were drills and sprayers rolling everywhere in southwest Manitoba.
Peas emerging north of Waskada. Photo credit: Wendy McDonald Peas that have freshly emerged north of Waskada. Photo credit: Wendy McDonald Peas that have freshly emerged north of Waskada with some wind damage. Photo credit: Wendy McDonald Peas that have freshly emerged north of Waskada. Photo credit: Wendy McDonald
Watch the video below to see the pea seed placement.
The May 14, 2026 wind blew soil into the ditch here too. Photo credit: Wendy McDonald
On May 14, Deloraine had 119 km/ hour winds!!!
This ditch collected the blowing soil on the east side of this field north of Melita on May 20, 2026. Photo credit: Wendy McDonald Soil in the ditch. On May 14, 2026 Deloraine had 119 km per hour winds. Photo credit: Wendy McDonald This is a zero till field nearby in the Melita area, with standing stubble and shelter belts. It fared much better in the intense winds. Photo credit: Wendy McDonald There was still snow banks in the ditch north of Russell on May 20, 2026. Photo credit: Wendy McDonald Soybeans going in the ground north of Ashville (okay, west of Halicz) on May 20, 2026. Photo credit: Wendy McDonald Soybeans going in the ground north of Ashville (okay, west of Halicz) on May 20, 2026. The cart auger died. Photo credit: Wendy McDonaldSoybeans going in the ground north of Ashville (okay, west of Halicz) on May 20, 2026. Photo credit: Wendy McDonald
Soybeans going in the ground north of Ashville (okay, west of Halicz) on May 20, 2026. Photo credit: Wendy McDonaldsoybean roliing
Urgh!! Overnight on May 20, 2026, it got very chilly in some parts of Manitoba.
