The planting season is advancing in many parts of Manitoba.
Most farmers are ahead of last year with the provincial planting progress at 57 percent complete, as reported by Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP).
“Many areas are experiencing favorable moisture levels this growing season, and the forecast predicts warmer weather,” stated KAP president Jill Verwey in an email.
“Overall, we are hopeful for a successful year and anticipate that most Manitoba farmers will finish planting on schedule or even ahead of schedule. Given recent trade tensions, this is encouraging news for Manitoba farmers.”
Seeding on his farm in southeastern Manitoba is nearly finished for Korey Peters.
“Seeding has progressed very well this year due to the dry conditions,” Peters told Global News, noting a need for more rainfall in his area soon.
“But I have to be cautious about my wishes, like every farmer.”
Iris Dyck / Global News
Peters describes seeding, as well as farming in general, as a delicate balance.
“Like every year, we’re navigating when to sell crops, when to store them,” he explained. “Almost all our 2024 crop has been sold, we just have a bit of canola left to transport, the rest is all sold.”
Peters, who cultivates canola, wheat, soybeans, corn, and sunflowers, mentions that this year introduces some additional uncertainty due to China’s tariffs on Canadian canola.
“We actually added a few acres this year, and usually we would plant canola in new acres, but we opted not to,” Peters said, noting that the broader impact of the tariffs on farmers is still largely unknown.
“Your speculation is as good as mine, but I believe canola acres will likely decrease. We have about the same number of canola acres as last year, we didn’t increase them for canola.”
