Showers have alleviated dry conditions in some areas, while others remain in need of rain.
Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly crop report rates topsoil moisture conditions on cropland as 4 percent surplus, 62 percent adequate, 29 percent short and five percent very short.
“Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve had many scattered showers throughout the province,” says Shannon Friesen, a crops extension specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. “In some cases, producers have benefited from showers, while others a few miles away received nothing.”
The southwest remains driest with 46 percent reporting short and 10 percent very short topsoil moisture on cropland. Crop District 4A (Maple Creek-Leader) is reporting 30 percent of cropland and 44 percent of hay land and pastures have very dry topsoil moisture.
Haying has been delayed by scattered showers. An estimated 14 percent of the provincial hay crop has been cut and another 10 percent baled or made into silage. Hay quality is rated as seven percent excellent, 50 percent good, 37 percent fair and six percent poor.
Hay yields are reported to be much lower than average. Volunteer reporters in the west-central region estimate early hay yields are one-half to one-quarter less than normal.
The majority of crops in Saskatchewan are at the normal stage of development. Twenty percent of spring cereals are heading, while 45 percent of canola and 44 percent of pulse crops are flowering.
Producers are wrapping up in-crop herbicide applications and applying fungicides when needed.
You can check out more detailed reports for each region 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
Crops are advancing quickly in the region and remain in relatively good condition overall. Much of the area received rainfall last week, although the amount varied greatly. More moisture will be needed in the coming weeks to help crops develop and to fill heads and pods.
Rainfall last week ranged from trace amounts to 50 mm in the Tantallon area. The Carnduff and Whitewood areas reported 19 mm of rain, the Lampman area 23 mm, the Maryfield area 24 mm, the Broadview area 36 mm, the Weyburn area 27 mm, the Fillmore area 14 mm, the Radville area 27 mm, the Ceylon area 31 mm, the Odessa area 20 mm, the Moose Jaw area 4 mm and the Belle Plaine area 10 mm. The Lampman area maintains the record for the most precipitation (359 mm) in both the region and the province since April 1.
Overall, topsoil moisture conditions have worsened in the region thanks to recent high temperatures and strong winds. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 65 per cent adequate, 28 per cent short and three per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 68 per cent adequate, 24 per cent short and four per cent very short. Crop District 1A is reporting that 13 per cent of the cropland has surplus topsoil moisture at this time, a slight improvement over last week.
Haying operations continue in between rain showers. Eight per cent of the hay crop has now been cut and eight per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as four per cent excellent, 63 per cent good and 33 per cent fair. Some hay crops have improved with the recent rain; however, yields are still expected to be lower than average. Pastures have also improved and are rated as 15 per cent excellent, 48 per cent good, 27 per cent fair, nine per cent poor and one per cent very poor.
In-crop herbicide applications are wrapping up and fungicide applications are underway. The majority of crop damage this past week is attributed to localized flooding, hail, strong winds and lack of moisture. Some areas that received frequent rains are reporting root rot in pulse crops and leaf spots in cereal crops.
Producers are busy haying, applying fungicides and scouting for insects and disease.
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
Scattered showers have brought varying amounts of rain to the region, helping to alleviate some concerns of dry conditions; however, some areas have missed the rain in recent weeks and will need significant rain to replenish the topsoil and help crops develop. Overall, crops are in relatively good condition, although some continue to suffer from lack of moisture stress.
Rainfall last week ranged from small amounts to 29 mm in the Success area. The Rockglen area reported 8 mm of rain, the Limerick area 13 mm, the Mossbank area 6 mm, the Mortlach and Hazlet areas 5 mm, the Ponteix, Leader and Consul areas 10 mm, the Admiral area 15 mm, the Blumenhof area 24 mm, the Shaunavon area 16 mm, the Webb area 18 mm, the Cabri area 7 mm, the Tyner area 11 mm, the Gull Lake area 12 mm and the Maple Creek area 9 mm. The Vanguard area has received the most precipitation (158 mm) in the region since April 1.
Despite the rain, topsoil moisture conditions in the region have slightly deteriorated. Crop topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 43 per cent adequate, 46 per cent short and 10 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 30 per cent adequate, 45 per cent short and 25 per cent very short. Crop District 4A is reporting that 30 per cent of the cropland and 44 per cent of the hay land and pasture are very short topsoil moisture at this time.
Haying operations continue in between rain showers. Twenty-four per cent of the hay crop has now been cut and 17 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as 48 per cent good and 52 per cent fair. Hay yields so far are much lower than average, but producers remain hopeful that a timely rain will help with a second cut. Pastures are currently rated as three per cent surplus, 25 per cent good, 41 per cent fair, 24 per cent poor and seven per cent very poor.
Herbicide applications are wrapping up and fungicide applications are underway in some areas. The majority of crop damage this past week is due to strong winds and lack of moisture. There are reports of wireworm and grasshopper damage in areas and some pulse crops are showing symptoms of root rot.
Producers are busy haying and scouting for insects and disease.
EAST-CENTRAL
Crop District 5 Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville and Kelvington areas;
Crop District 6A Lumsden, Craik, Watrous and Clavet areas
The ground remains very wet in some areas of the east-central region and haying operations have been delayed due to frequent rain and high humidity. Crops are advancing nicely but are in need of some heat and moisture to help them develop further.
Rainfall in the region was variable, ranging from trace amounts to 34 mm in the Langenburg area. The Rocanville area reported 6 mm of rain, the Roblin (MB) area 33 mm, the Ituna and Raymore areas 2 mm, the Rama area 12 mm, the Kelvington, Semans and Lumsden areas 10 mm, the Wynyard area 1 mm, the Holdfast area 2 mm, the Stalwart and Humboldt areas 3 mm and the Allan area 4 mm. The Langenburg area has received the most precipitation (296 mm) in the region since April 1.
Topsoil moisture conditions have deteriorated significantly in the area due to the recent high temperatures and strong winds. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as eight per cent surplus, 53 per cent adequate, 33 per cent short and six per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 44 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and 15 per cent very short.
Haying is underway in between rain showers. Thirteen per cent of the hay crop has now been cut and six per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as seven per cent excellent, 46 per cent good, 30 per cent fair and 17 per cent poor. Hay yields so far have been about average, although some western areas in the region are reporting below-average yields due to lack of moisture. Pastures are rated as four per cent excellent, 38 per cent good, 36 per cent fair, 17 per cent poor and five per cent very poor.
In-crop herbicide applications are wrapping up and fungicide applications for diseases such as sclerotinia and fusarium head blight are underway. Most crop damage this past week is due to localized flooding, lack of moisture and wind.
Producers are busy haying, applying pesticides and scouting for insects and disease.
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
Producers welcomed the rain that fell on much of the region this past week; however, more rain will be needed in the weeks ahead to help crops develop and fill. Crops are advancing well and are in relatively good condition overall. Some crops remain stressed due to lack of moisture, and yields are expected to be lower than normal.
Rainfall this past week ranged from small amounts to 42 mm in the Saskatoon area. The Eyebrow and Tugaske areas reported 26 mm of rain, the Conquest and Netherhill areas 20 mm, the Rosthern area 7 mm, the Rosetown area 32 mm, the Harris area 19 mm, the Biggar area 38 mm, the Kerrobert area 28 mm, the Major area 13 mm, the Macklin area 25 mm and the Battleford area 40 mm. The Saskatoon area has received the most precipitation (183 mm) in the region since April 1.
Topsoil moisture conditions have improved with the recent moisture. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 76 per cent adequate, 22 per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 61 per cent adequate, 33 per cent short and six per cent very short. Crop District 6B is reporting that 33 per cent of the cropland and 38 per cent of the hay land and pasture are short topsoil moisture at this time.
Haying continues in the region in between rain showers. Fifteen per cent of the hay crop is now cut and 10 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as nine per cent excellent, 47 per cent good, 35 per cent fair and nine per cent poor. Hay yields so far are below average, with producers in some areas estimating yields to be one-half to one-quarter less than normal. Pastures are currently rated as three per cent excellent, 48 per cent good, 38 per cent fair and 11 per cent poor.
In-crop herbicide applications are wrapping up and fungicide applications are well underway. Most crop damage this past week was due to lack of moisture, strong winds and hail.
Producers are busy haying, applying fungicides and scouting for insects and disease.
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
Crops are advancing quickly and are in relatively good condition overall. Rainfall last week was welcomed but more will be needed in the coming weeks to help crops develop and fill.
Rainfall ranged from trace amounts to 53 mm in the Arborfield area. The Porcupine Plain area reported 18 mm of rain, the Star City area 29 mm, the Tisdale area 30 mm, the Bruno area 3 mm, the Melfort area 37 mm, the Birch Hills area 21 mm, the Garrick area 20 mm and the Spruce Home area 8 mm. The Arborfield area has received the most precipitation (212 mm) in the region since April 1.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 10 per cent surplus, 78 per cent adequate and 12 per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 15 per cent surplus, 70 per cent adequate, 12 per cent short and three per cent very short. Crop District 8A is reporting that 26 per cent of the cropland and 33 per cent of the hay land and pasture have surplus topsoil moisture at this time.
Haying operations are well underway in the area and six per cent of the hay crop is cut and 11 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as 33 per cent excellent, 56 per cent good and 11 per cent fair. Hay yields are expected to be about average, although some areas may have much less hay than normal if rain does not arrive soon. Pastures are currently rated as five per cent excellent, 65 per cent good, 29 per cent fair and one per cent poor.
The majority of crop damage this past week was due to lack of moisture, hail and strong winds. Some areas have reported high temperatures that have damaged crops such as canola; yields are expected to be average at best in these areas.
Farmers are busy haying, spraying fungicides and scouting for insects and disease.
NORTHWEST
Crop District 9AW Shellbrook, North Battleford, Big River and Hafford areas;
Crop District 9B Meadow Lake, Turtleford, Pierceland, Maidstone and Lloydminster areas
Timely rains have benefitted crops in the area and most are in relatively good condition. Crops are advancing quickly but will need additional rain in the coming weeks for heads and pods to fill.
Rainfall last week ranged from trace amounts to 37 mm in the Glaslyn area. The Speers area reported 18 mm of rain, the North Battleford and Spiritwood areas 24 mm, the Shellbrook area 12 mm, the Neilburg area 21 mm, the Turtleford area 6 mm, the Meadow Lake area 5 mm and the Barthel area 1 mm. The St. Walburg area has received the most precipitation (214 mm) in the region since April 1.
Topsoil moisture conditions have slightly worsened in the area despite recent rainfall. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 80 per cent adequate, 13 per cent short and six per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 79 per cent adequate, 14 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Crop District 9AW is reporting that 13 per cent of the cropland and 16 per cent of the hay land and pasture remain very short topsoil moisture at this time.
Haying continues in between rain showers. Seven per cent of the crop is now cut and two per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as eight per cent excellent, 33 per cent good and 58 per cent fair. Hay yields so far are below average in some areas and rain is needed to help with plant growth. Pastures are currently rated as two per cent excellent, 62 per cent good, 24 per cent fair, 10 per cent poor and two per cent very poor.
Most crop damage this past week is attributed to localized flooding, lack of moisture, hail and strong winds. Fungicide applications are well underway as producers spray for diseases such as sclerotinia in canola and leaf spots in cereal crops.
Producers are busy haying, applying pesticides and scouting for insects and disease.
