The estimate is contained in Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly crop report.
Provincial topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as four percent surplus, 67 percent adequate, 24 percent short and five percent very short.
The driest areas are in the southwest and extend into parts of central and west-central Saskatchewan. Gull Lake, Shaunavon, Outlook, Dinsmore and Kenaston have all received less than 25 millimetres of rain since April 1st, according to precipitation totals tallied by local volunteer crop reporters.
“If moisture isn’t received in these areas in the next week or very soon, there is concern of the crop not being able to sustain growth due to lack of moisture,” says Daphne Cruise, a crop extension specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. “It is definitely in the front of producers’ minds.”
Crop conditions have improved in eastern and northwest areas that have received moisture this month. Hay yields are still expected to be lower than average and pastures will have reduced carrying capacity in most locations.
Three-quarters of pulse crops and spring cereals are at the normal stages of development, while 70 percent of oilseeds are keeping pace with usual development.
Less wind has allowed producers to do in-crop weed control. Cutworms are causing damage in some parts of the province.
The detailed region-by-region crop report is below:
SOUTHEAST
Crop District 1 -Carnduff, Estevan, Redvers, Moosomin and Kipling areas;
Crop District 2 Weyburn, Milestone, Moose Jaw, Regina and Qu Appelle areas;
Crop District 3ASE Radville, Minton and Lake Alma areas
The majority of the region reported rain showers that amounted to less than 10 mm of rain over the week. However, the Frobisher area recorded 20 mm, the Moosomin area 30 mm and the Indian Head area 23 mm. Moisture over the past few weeks has helped improve crop conditions and development, although some oilseeds crops have patchy emergence due to dry conditions in the spring.
The Lampman area has received the most precipitation (317 mm) in both the region and the province since April 1. The Fillmore area is reporting the least amount of rain in the region since April 1 (26 mm). The Estevan, Bienfait and Roche Percy areas received significant hail that damaged crops and farm buildings.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 14 per cent surplus, 65 per cent adequate and 21 per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent surplus, 72 per cent adequate, 22 per cent short and one per cent very short. Crop District 1A is reporting that 50 per cent of the cropland has surplus topsoil moisture at this time.
Areas in crop districts 1A and 1B have flooded fields as a result of the heavy rain a couple of weeks ago. Pastures and hay have responded to the moisture, although 40 per cent of the hay and pasture acres are still expected to have reduced yield and carrying capacity going into the summer months. Livestock producers have started to cut hay.
The recent moisture has brought on a flush of weeds. Lower wind speeds throughout the week allowed for some in-crop weed control.
SOUTHWEST
Crop District 3ASW Coronach, Assiniboia and Ogema areas; Crop District 3AN Gravelbourg, Mossbank, Mortlach and Central Butte areas;
Crop District 3B Kyle, Swift Current , Shaunavon and Ponteix areas;
Crop District 4 Consul, Maple Creek and Leader areas
Spotty rain showers were reported in the region during the past week, with most of those areas recording less than 5 mm of precipitation. Rain is needed in much of the region to sustain crop and pasture growth. Crops in some areas are stressed and showing the affects of dry conditions. Concerns remain that current soil moisture levels will not be enough to support a crop if rain does not come soon. Some hay fields have prematurely headed-out. Livestock producers have started to cut hay.
Rainfall in the region ranged from nil to 9 mm in the Big Beaver area. The Gravelbourg area reported 6 mm, the Success and Leader areas 5 mm. The Hazenmore area has received the most precipitation (136 mm) in the region since April 1, while the Shaunavon and Gull Lake areas have received the least (25 mm) in the region since April 1.
Topsoil moisture conditions have worsened in the past week. Crop soil moisture is rated as 33 per cent adequate, 49 per cent short and 18 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 28 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and 28 per cent very short. Crop District 3BS is reporting that 47 per cent of the cropland and 50 per cent of the hay land and pasture remain very short of topsoil moisture at this time. Crop District 3BS is reporting 26 per cent of the cropland and 42 per cent of the hay land and pasture are very short of topsoil moisture. Crop District 4A is reporting 20 per cent of cropland and 24 per cent of the hay land and pasture are very short of topsoil moisture. In the southwest, 70 per cent of the hay and pasture acres are under some stress due to lack of moisture.
The majority of crop damage this past week was due to lack of moisture and insects such as flea beetles and cutworms in canola.
Farmers are busy controlling weeds and starting to cut hay.
EAST-CENTRAL
Crop District 5 Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville and Kelvington areas;
Crop District 6A Lumsden, Craik, Watrous and Clavet areas
Crops, hay and pasture in the region are looking good. Timely rains have resulted in good growth. Fields are starting to dry up in those areas (Esterhazy and Lampman) that received heavy rains over the past couple of weeks, allowing producers to continue weed control operations.
Very little rain was reported for the region over the past week. The Pelly and Watrous area recorded 6 mm and the Elfros area reported 4 mm. The Langenburg area has received the most precipitation (224 mm) in the region since April 1. The Kenaston area has reported the least amount the rain for the region (45 mm) since April 1.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate and 16 per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 72 per cent adequate, 22 per cent short and four per cent very short.
Cutworms are causing damage in some canola fields, necessitating some reseeding.
Producers are busy with in-crop weed control operations and getting ready for haying.
WEST-CENTRAL
Crop Districts 6B Hanley, Outlook, Loreburn, Saskatoon and Arelee areas;
Crop District 7A Rosetown, Kindersley, Eston, Major;
Crop District 7B – Kerrobert, Macklin, Wilkie and Biggar areas
Rain was reported throughout most of the region; however, once again, the rain missed the areas that need moisture the most. Areas around Outlook, Dinsmore, Hanley and Rosetown remain very dry, having received only 14 to 34 mm of rain since April 1. The most rain (54 mm) fell on the Rosthern area. The Langham area reported 12 mm, the Kindersley area 30 mm, the Smiley area 21 mm, the Biggar area 35 mm, the Major area 14 mm and the Landis area 5 mm. The Rosthern area has received the most precipitation (144 mm) in the region since April 1. The Dinsmore area has received the least amount of moisture since April 1 (14 mm).
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 72 per cent adequate, 23 per cent short and five per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 59 per cent adequate, 30 per cent short and 11 per cent very short. In Crop District 6B, cropland topsoil moisture is 47 per cent short and hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 43 per cent short. In crop districts 6B and 7A, 70 and 60 per cent of the hay and pasture acres, respectively, are under some growth stress due to lack of moisture.
Producers are busy controlling weeds and getting ready for haying.
NORTHEAST
Crop District 8 Hudson Bay, Tisdale, Melfort, Carrot River, Humboldt, Kinistino, Cudworth and Aberdeen areas;
Crop District 9AE Prince Albert, Choiceland and Paddockwood areas
A few rain showers were reported in the region. Crop conditions and development are looking good for this time of year.
The Tisdale area received 6 mm of rain this past week. The Vonda area reported 11 mm and the Melfort area 15 mm. The Humboldt region has received the most precipitation (150 mm) in the region since April 1. The Kinistino area has recorded the least amount of rainfall (71 mm) in the region since April 1.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 93 per cent adequate and seven per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 87 per cent adequate and 13 per cent short.
Cutworms are causing damage in some areas, necessitating the reseeding of those fields.
Farmers are busy with weed control operations and getting ready for haying.
NORTHWEST
Crop District 9AW Shellbrook, North Battleford, Big River and Hafford areas;
Crop District 9B Meadow Lake, Turtleford, Pierceland, Maidstone and Lloydminster areas
Crops, hay and pasture are in good condition in most areas of the region, although some areas could use rain. The Hafford area reported 14 mm of rain for the week and the Turtleford area reported 6 mm. The St. Walburg area has received the most precipitation (214 mm) in the region since April 1. The Prince Albert area has reported the least amount of rain (42 mm) since April 1.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 87 per cent adequate and 13 per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 83 per cent adequate, 16 per cent short and one per cent very short. In Crop District 9AW, 21 per cent of the cropland and 28 per cent of the hay land and pasture are short of topsoil moisture at this time. Hay yields are expected to be reduced due to the dry spring.
Now that the wind has died down, producers are busy catching up with in-crop weed control. Livestock producers are gearing up for haying to begin.
