Persistent rain and storms in many areas of Manitoba have made some fields too wet for equipment, while also increasing the risk for disease in crops.

Manitoba Aerial Applicators Association president Mike Alarie says in some cases, ground sprayers have been able to get into fields for fungicide applications, but overall, he says there has been a higher demand for aerial applicators in Manitoba this year.

"There were parts of the province last year that were not wet last year, and areas out west were not quite so busy," he says. "This year, it's pretty much wet across the Prairies, and as well, the crops are looking very lush throughout the province and actually in even the neighbouring provinces. So the demand for aircraft has been greater, or on a larger scale they've just been busier."

Alarie says the demand is also happening in a tighter time frame because of how quickly seeding operations went this year.

"In many areas, seeding all took place in two weeks," he says. "What that means then is we have to do all the canola and the cereals, and the staging for the fungicide application will be in a very tight window. So rather have it spread out over four weeks, we pretty much have to do everything in a matter of two or two-and-a-half weeks."

Alarie says most aerial applicators have been able to keep up with this demand because wind conditions have been favourable. He also notes we've had some help, as planes from the west have flown in to help complete applications. As the window on fungicides closes in Manitoba, Alarie says some of our planes are heading to Saskatchewan and Alberta to help their operations in return.