Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly crop report says development ranges from one to two weeks behind normal in many areas as crops with sufficient moisture need additional heat and sunshine.
As of Monday, 61 per cent of fall cereals were heading. Spring cereals were 28 per cent in the shotblade stage with an additional 12 per cent heading out. Fifty-four per cent of canola is in the rosette stage and 16 per cent is flowering. Sixty-two per cent of pulses are at the vegetative stage and 38 per cent are flowering.
Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as nine per cent surplus, 71 per cent adequate, 18 per cent short and two per cent very short.
Haying operations are being delayed by frequent showers and higher humidity. Only eight per cent has been cut with three per cent baled or made into silage. Hay quality is rated as 19 per cent excellent, 62 per cent good, 16 per cent fair and three per cent poor. Recent rain will improve hay crops, although estimated yields continue to be lower than average.
Farmers are treating cereal and pulse crops with fungicides and some spraying is occurring to deal with a drastically increasing grasshopper population.
Information from each region can be viewed below:
SOUTHEAST
More rainfall has delayed pesticide spraying and haying operations in much of the region. While the rain was welcomed by many, producers would like warm and dry weather soon to help crops recover from excess moisture damage. Overall crops are in good condition but are behind their normal stages of development for this time of year.
Rainfall in the region ranged from trace amounts to 63 mm in the Wilcox area. The Redvers area received 56 mm of rainfall, the Radville area 35 mm, the Whitewood area 33 mm, the Broadview area 30 mm, the Moose Jaw area 24 mm, the Weyburn area 22 mm, the Glenavon area 17 mm, the Carnduff area 16 mm, the Outram area 15 mm, the Indian Head area 14 mm, the Avonlea area 10 mm. There were several reports of localized heavy downpours that caused some flooding in the Redvers area.
Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are currently rated as 13 per cent surplus, 80 per cent adequate and seven per cent short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as seven per cent surplus, 88 per cent adequate and five per cent short. Crop District 1B is reporting that 20 per cent of the cropland and 11 per cent of the hay and pasture land has surplus topsoil moisture at this time.
Haying operations continue when producers are able to get out into the field; there have been many delays due to excess moisture and poor drying conditions from the frequent rain and high humidity. Livestock producers now have seven per cent of the hay crop cut and two per cent has been baled or put into silage. Hay quality at this time is rated as 17 per cent excellent and 83 per cent good.
Pastures continue to improve and are now rated as 32 per cent excellent, 63 per cent good and five per cent fair.
Most crop damage this past week was due to localized flooding, hail, strong winds and lack of moisture. Gophers continue to be an issue across the region while grasshopper populations are growing in many southern and western areas. Producers are busy controlling these pest outbreaks when warranted.
SOUTHWEST
Despite recent patchy rain in the region, many areas are still in need of significant rainfall to help crops recover from the frequent strong winds and dry conditions. Overall crops are in fair to good shape but some are rapidly and prematurely advancing due to drought stress. In other areas the crop is delayed and warmer temperatures are needed to help with growth.
Rainfall in the region ranged from small amounts to 67 mm in the Vanguard area. The Maple Creek area received 55 mm of rain, the Consul area 42 mm, the Shaunavon and Gull Lake areas 40 mm, the Cabri area 33 mm, the Eyebrow area received 32 mm, the Rockglen area 27 mm, the Limerick area nine mm, the Hazenmore area eight mm, the Kyle area six mm.
Topsoil moisture conditions have slightly improved with the recent rainfall. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 59 per cent adequate, 34 per cent short and four per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as seven per cent surplus, 40 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 11 per cent very short. Crop District 3AN is reporting that 11 per cent of the cropland and 33 per cent of the hay and pasture land is very short topsoil moisture at this time.
Haying operations have begun in the region, although progress is slow due to lack of growth. Livestock producers now have nine per cent of the hay crop cut and six per cent is baled or put into silage. Hay quality at this time is rated as 19 per cent excellent, 44 per cent good, 31 per cent fair and six per cent poor. Hay yields are expected to be well below normal and more rain is needed to help with growth.
Pasture conditions are currently rated as 11 per cent excellent, 11 per cent good, 34 per cent fair, 38 per cent poor and six per cent very poor.
The majority of crop damage this past week was due to strong winds, hail and drought. Gophers and grasshoppers continue to damage many fields and producers are busy controlling them as time and conditions allow. Producers are also busy spraying fungicides when warranted.
WEST CENTRAL
Cooler temperatures, spotty rains and lack of growth have delayed haying operations for many producers in the region. Although crops are nicely advancing and are in relatively good shape overall, many are behind their normal developmental stages for this time of year. Significant rainfall and warmer weather are needed to improve plant growth for crops, hay land and pasture. For those areas that have not received rainfall lately, drought stress has taken a toll and crops are prematurely advancing and drying down. Many producers have indicated that so far crops are in much better condition than this time last year.
Most of the region received trace amounts to no rain while others had spotty showers or localized downpours. The Smiley area received 39 mm, the Tugaske area 33 mm, the Marengo area 26 mm, the Kerrobert area 14 mm, the Wilkie area six mm the Rosthern area five mm, the Cando area three mm and the Conquest area two mm.
Topsoil moisture conditions have improved in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 64 per cent adequate, 25 per cent short and five per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 55 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and five per cent very short. While Crop District 7A is reporting that 18 per cent of the cropland has surplus topsoil moisture, 12 per cent is currently very short topsoil moisture.
Livestock producers now have eight per cent of the hay crop cut and four per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality at this time is rated as 14 per cent excellent, 38 per cent good, 38 per cent fair and 10 per cent poor. Pasture conditions are currently rated as three per cent excellent, 42 per cent good, 42 per cent fair, 12 per cent poor and one per cent very poor.
Strong winds, drought and localized flooding were the main causes of crop damage this week while producers continue to control pests such as gophers and grasshoppers. Producers are also spraying fungicides on pulse and cereal crops.
EAST CENTRAL
Wet field conditions continue to delay haying operations and pesticide applications for many areas of the region. Warmer weather is needed soon for crops to advance as many are at least a week or more behind their normal stages of development for this time of year. Crops are in good condition overall but will need some heat and timely rains to help things along. Crops that have been in standing water have yellowed and will need dry weather to improve.
Rainfall in the region ranged from 56 mm in the Craik area to trace amounts. The Esterhazy area reported 38 mm of rain, the Bulyea area 20 mm, the Foam Lake area 15 mm, the Ituna area 14 mm, the Bethune area eight mm the Kelvington area 6 mm and the Yorkton area 1 mm.
Cropland topsoil moisture conditions have improved and are now rated as nine per cent surplus, 73 per cent adequate and 18 per cent short. Hay and pasture land is rated as six per cent surplus, 74 per cent adequate, 17 per cent short and three per cent very short. Crop District 5A is reporting that 21 per cent of the cropland and 18 per cent of the hay and pasture land has surplus topsoil moisture at this time.
Haying continues when field and weather conditions allow. Livestock producers in the region now have six per cent of the crop cut and two per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as 32 per cent excellent, 64 per cent good and four per cent fair.
Pasture conditions are currently rated as 16 per cent excellent, 68 per cent good, 14 per cent fair and two per cent poor.
Crop damage this past week is attributed to wind, localized flooding and lack of moisture. Like much of the province, producers continue to deal with gophers and grasshoppers and are controlling these pests when conditions allow. There have also been reports of aphids starting to show up in some fields.
NORTHEAST
Cool and wet weather has delayed haying operations and crop spraying for many producers. Many crops are behind their normal stages of development for this time of year and warm and dry weather will be needed soon to help them advance. Overall, crops are in good condition, although some that have been drowned out or standing in excess moisture are yellowing and yields will likely be reduced.
Reported rainfall varied from trace amounts to 18 mm in the Prince Albert region. The Lake Lenore area 13 received mm of rain, the Tisdale area reported 12 mm, the Birch Hills area eight mm, the Melfort area three mm and the Star City area one mm.
Crop land topsoil moisture is rated as seven per cent surplus, 91 per cent adequate and two per cent short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 95 per cent adequate and two per cent short.
Haying is well underway in the region as 17 per cent of the hay crop has been cut and one per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality at this time is rated as 12 per cent excellent and 88 per cent good.
Pasture conditions are currently rated as 22 per cent excellent, 75 per cent good, two per cent fair and one per cent poor.
Crop damage this past week was due to winds, hail and pests such as gophers and grasshoppers. Producers are busy spraying fungicides on pulse crops and are getting equipment ready for haying.
NORTHWEST
Crops are advancing in the region thanks to recent rainfall, but heat will be needed soon for them to catch up to their normal developmental stages for this time of year. While parts of the region are reporting very dry conditions, other areas are under water from frequent, localized heavy rains. Overall crops remain in good condition but will need better weather in order to further develop.
Rainfall in the region ranged from small amounts to 47 mm in the Spiritwood area. The Turtleford area 31 mm of rain, the St. Walburg area 30 mm, the North Battleford and Meadow Lake areas 23 mm, the Lloydminster area 22 mm and the Pierceland area 14 mm, the Hafford area reported 10 mm of rain and the Speers area eight mm.
Topsoil moisture conditions have improved overall. Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 21 per cent surplus, 66 per cent adequate, 12 per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 22 per cent surplus, 66 per cent adequate and 12 per cent short. Crop District 9B is reporting that 31 per cent of the cropland and 29 per cent of the hay land and pasture has surplus topsoil moisture at this time.
Haying is underway in the region as five per cent of the hay crop has now been cut and less than one per cent has been baled or put into silage. Hay quality is currently rated as eight per cent surplus, 75 per cent good and 17 per cent fair. Livestock producers are hopeful that the weather will improve and they will be able to get back out there soon.
Pasture conditions are currently rated as 15 per cent excellent, 62 per cent good, 21 per cent fair and two per cent poor.
Most crop damage this past week was due to localized flooding, hail and wind. Pests such as grasshoppers continue to cause damage in many fields and producers are busy controlling them. With the wet field conditions, some producers have opted for aerial spraying by plane or helicopter to avoid getting stuck in ruts.
