Continuous hot, dry weather across most of the province has pushed crops to mature rather quickly, and in some regions, harvest in the west central and southwest is already taking place as a result.
The Saskatchewan Agriculture Crop Report for last week shows another decrease in topsoil moisture. It is rated as 15 per cent adequate, 48 per cent short and 37 per cent very short.
Hay and pastureland topsoil moisture is rated as eight per cent adequate, 43 per cent short and 49 per cent very short.
Other than areas north of Tisdale and Saskatoon and south of Indian Head, limited precipitation fell across Saskatchewan. Some regions reported not seeing any moisture for at least 30 days straight.
Haying is nearly complete with only 5 per cent still standing. Many producers say it was a disappointing year when it comes to their hay crops. Unless a lot of rain is received rather quickly, many farmers in the north won’t be able to get a second cut. Hay quality is rated as four per cent excellent, 66 per cent good, 29 per cent fair and one per cent poor.
Crop conditions are worse compared to two weeks ago. Canola is 23 per cent poor or very poor, spring wheat is 24 per cent poor or very poor, and peas are 25 per cent poor or very poor.
These numbers are up from July 10th, when canola and wheat only displayed as 16 per cent poor or very poor.
Other factors that caused the most damage excluding extreme heat and drought were grasshoppers, gophers, strong winds, and hail.
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
For the Period July 18 to 24, 2023
Extreme heat and drought continue to take their toll on crops in the region, many crops are showing signs of severe stress and reduced yield potential. Crops will be drying down rapidly due to the heat, meaning producers will start harvest in the next week or two and desiccation of lentil and pea crops is already underway across portions of the region. Producers with later seeded crops are hoping for some rain to ensure maximum seed fill. Some areas of the region did receive rain, but for many it will be too little and too late.
The Indian Head and Glenavon areas received the largest amounts of rain with 37 and 34 mm respectfully but overall, most of the region received insignificant amounts ranging from two to six mm. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 15 per cent adequate, 51 per cent short and 34 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as eight per cent adequate, 34 per cent short and 58 per cent very short.
Haying is almost complete in the region with five per cent of the hay crop still standing and 77 per cent of it baled or put up for silage. Livestock producers will be working quickly to wrap up their haying operations since grain harvesting is right around the corner. In some areas of the region, hay yields are lower than last year but their quality is still high, with 81 per cent being rated as good and 19 per cent as fair. Those who are experiencing lower yields will be looking for other sources of feed.
Crop conditions vary within the region, with a majority in poor-to-good condition. Crops on heavier soil that have been retaining moisture look far better than any crop on lighter sandy soil.
Most of the crop damage this past week was due to drought stress, heat and damage caused by grasshoppers and gophers. Producers are busy finishing up haying, conducting yield assessments and getting their harvest plans sorted out.
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
For the Period July 18 to 24, 2023
Another hot, dry week has crops across the region drying down rapidly and some producers have started to harvest while others are applying desiccants. Producers are predicting well below average yields for many of their fields due to limited precipitation all season long. There were light showers in localized areas in the past few weeks, the crops are holding on and producers hope they will have higher yield potentials.
Livestock producers have completed their haying operations with 84 per cent of the hay crop now baled or put into silage with an additional 12 per cent cut and waiting to be baled. Hay quality is rated as 53 per cent good and 47 per cent fair. Hay yields across the region are far lower than the regional and provincial averages.
Producers are looking for alternative feed sources and there are increasing reports of the likeliness to sell portions of cattle herds to lessen the burden on winter feed supplies.
There were small showers throughout the region but this did not impact crops or soil due to the heat. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and 57 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and 59 per cent very short.
The majority of crops in the southwest region are in very poor-to-fair condition with little being rated as good. The region did not receive rain at crucial times during the growing season, leaving crops thin and stunted. Some producers in the region have begun to harvest pulse crops and will be harvesting cereal crops in the coming weeks. Failed crops will likely be sought by livestock producers looking for feed options.
Most of the crop damage this past week was due to drought stress, strong winds, heat and grasshoppers. Producers are busy finishing up haying, conducting yield assessments, harvesting or getting equipment and bins ready for harvest.
Crop District 5 – Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville and Kelvington areas;
Crop District 6A – Lumsden, Craik, Watrous and Clavet areas
For the Period July 18 to 24, 2023
Parts of the region had a very dry July and crops have declined from heat and drought stress. Producers are hoping for showers soon to help maintain their current yield potential. In areas where precipitation has been more regular, crops are holding on but signs of stress from the extreme weather of the past few weeks are starting to show.
Rainfall was a welcomed sight in the region, helping cereals fill their heads and canola and pulse crops fill their pods as harvest nears. Some crops received the rain too late, which will likely result in disappointing yields. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 18 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and 35 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 12 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and 44 per cent very short.
Livestock producers across the region have 83 per cent of the hay crop baled or put into silage with another seven per cent cut and waiting to be baled or put into silage. Hay quality is currently rated as 13 per cent excellent, 57 per cent good, 26 per cent fair and four per cent poor.
The majority of the crop in the region is rated as being in poor to good condition, the poorer rated crops are in the western half of the region where rain has been less frequent.
Most of the crop damage this past week was due to heat and drought stress, wind and grasshoppers. Producers are beginning to prep their equipment for harvest and will be desiccating in the coming week
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
For the Period July 18 to 24, 2023
Small, isolated showers dotted the region this week, but it was little benefit to the crop due to it being far too late in the season. Crops in the region held on through the heat and drought of the growing season, but it has now dried down. Some producers have started harvesting lentils and cereals, such as wheat and barley, are not far behind. Yields will be below average for the region and many producers indicate they will be cutting extremely poor fields for livestock feed. For those producers who received small, localized rains over the growing season, yield potential appears to be closer to the regional long-term average.
The dry weather has allowed haying progress to advance in the region with 92 per cent of the hay crop now baled or put into silage and the remaining seven per cent cut and waiting to be baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as 68 per cent good and 32 per cent fair. Hay yield is much lower than average for the region and many producers are worried about winter feed supplies, indicating they will be seeking alternative feed sources to avoid reducing herd sizes.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 16 per cent adequate, 45 per cent short and 39 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and 59 per cent very short.
The majority of crops in the west-central region are in very poor-to-good condition. Some producers are preparing for harvest and have desiccated pulse crops such as lentils and field peas.
Most of the crop damage this past week was due to drought, wind, heat and grasshoppers. Some crops in the region have been completely written off by the combination of drought and grasshopper damage.
Crop District 8 – Hudson Bay, Tisdale, Melfort, Carrot River, Humboldt, Kinistino, Cudworth and Aberdeen areas;
Crop District 9AE – Prince Albert, Choiceland and Paddockwood areas
For the Period July 18 to 24, 2023
Crops vary greatly across the region, some look great due to timely rains while others are in poor condition. More moisture is needed to fill pods and heads and producers are hoping for a some more rainshowers in the coming weeks. The heat has caused crops in the drier parts of the region to begin to rapidly dry down creating an earlier than normal harvest for some producers.
The hot dry week helped haying operations and livestock producers currently have 81 per cent of the hay baled or put into silage. An additional 12 per cent is cut and ready for baling. Hay quality is currently rated as 14 per cent excellent, 71 per cent good and 15 per cent fair. Cattle producers have indicated that without significant rain there will likely not be a second cut of hay.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 25 per cent adequate, 67 per cent short and nine per cent very short. Hay and pasture land is rated as 16 per cent adequate, 69 per cent short, 15 per cent very short.
The majority of crops are in poor-to-good condition. Crops in the areas of the region that received rain look good, but as hot days continue and moisture becomes sparse, crops have experience yield reducing stress such as heat blasting of flower petals.
Most of the crop damage this past week was from heat, insects and the wind. Producers have not started harvesting but have begun to prep equipment to be ready for when their crop dries down in the coming weeks.
Crop District 9AW – Shellbrook, North Battleford, Big River and Hafford areas;
Crop District 9B – Meadow Lake, Turtleford, Pierceland, Maidstone and Lloydminster areas
For the Period July 18 to 24, 2023
Crops that received rain are managing to hold on, but crops that did not receive much needed rain are rapidly drying down. Some producers are noticing that pods and heads are not filling and without rain soon, the crops in the dry areas of the region will experience drops in their yield potential. Some report that if the heat continues, they will need a inch of rain a week to get their crop to harvest.
Haying has been progressing well in the region and livestock producers currently have 81 per cent of the hay baled or put into silage. An additional 12 per cent is cut and ready for baling. Hay quality is currently rated as 67 per cent good and 33 per cent fair. Livestock producers are hoping for a large precipitation event in order to make a second cut of hay in September.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 32 per cent adequate, 53 per cent short and 16 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land is rated as 15 per cent adequate, 55 per cent short and 30 per cent very short.
Most of the crop damage this past week was due to heat stress, grasshoppers and drought. Producers are beginning to apply desiccants and get their harvest equipment ready.
