This crop atlas contains information on 32 crops grown in Manitoba. For each crop there are 5 maps provided:

Average Reported Yield by rural municipality – average from 10 year period (1991-2000)

Average Reported Acres by rural municipality – average from 10 year period (1991-2000)

Relative Yield (%) by rural municipality – derived from ratio of RM yield/provincial average yield

Crop Intensity by rural municipality – derived from ratio of acres sown to crop/total potential acres available for cropping

Historic Relative Crop Suitability – Derived from the sum of relative yield and crop intensity – It is a crude ranking of which RM’s are considered by producers more suitable for a crop (high yields, lot of acres) in contrast to those considered by producers less suitable for a crop (low yields, low acres).

These maps can be used to identify broad provincial trends in the distribution and productivity of cropland for various crops grown in Manitoba. 

The maps have many practical purposes. Agronomists and researchers unfamiliar with Manitoba, or certain crops, can use the data provided in this atlas to assess the distribution, adaptation, and yield potential of various crops throughout the province. Educators can use the information in the crop atlas for teaching purposes and realtors can use the atlas to assist in land sales. The data is also of interest as a benchmark. For example should climate change result in shifting of cropping patterns within the province, these maps could be used to assist in illustrating and interpreting such changes.

The crop maps available for viewing, for each of the five map types described previously, are listed in the columns of the table below. To view a particular map of interest, select the crop in the appropriate column, click-on-it, and the map will come up for viewing.
 

The maps contained in the crop atlas are the cartographic results of a Red River College Geographical Information Systems course special project for June, 2001 by Craig Evenson. Craig produced these maps with only limited consultations with MCIC. Craig can be reached at:

The statistical information used to create the crop atlas maps was compiled from the Manitoba Management Plus Program (MMPP) on-line regional crop-variety query tool. This query tool is available from the MMPP web site at:

Total potential acres available for cropping by RM were provided by MCIC using MCIC classified Landsat TM (1993/94) remote sensing imagery.