Hot weather is speeding up crop development and while that is a must in wetter areas of the province, those in drier areas want to see a little more rain.

Tyce Masich is a Saskatchewan Agriculture crops extension specialist and helps compile the weekly crop report which was released Thursday morning.

Provincial cropland topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent surplus, 67 per cent adequate, 27 per cent short and one per cent very short.

Canola is largely in good condition but high temperatures have stressed some flowering crops.  Most canola—with the exception of late seeded crops—-are now into the podding stage. About two-thirds of pulse crops are in good to excellent condition but the remaining one-third are only in fair to poor conditions due to moisture stress earlier in the season as well as disease.

Provincial pasture topsoil moisture ratings are two per cent surplus, 58 per cent adequate, 36 per cent short and four per cent very short.
As for haying . .

While harvest is still some time off in northern and centrals areas, Masich has heard some lentils are being desiccated in the southwest.

Farmers should also start monitoring for bertha army worms—some areas could require treatment next month.

(Audio File Credit–Ryan Young-CKRM Regina)