Another week of limited moisture is causing advanced maturation in several crops across the province.
Although there were some flash floods and hailstorms last week, the majority of the province saw very little precipitation. More moisture is needed, especially in the west-central and southwest part of the province. The hot, dry weather is prompting quicker crop development in many areas. Provincially, 30 per cent of the fall cereals, 22 per cent of the spring cereals, 22 per cent of the oilseed crops and 19 per cent of the pulse crops are ahead of normal development for this time of year. This can result in limited yield potential.
Despite the rough week, crop conditions vary widely across the province ranging from poor to excellent condition. Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly crop report says 14 per cent of spring wheat is in excellent condition, 56 per cent is good, 21 per cent is fair, 5 per cent is poor, and 4 per cent is very poor. These numbers are comparable to canola, which sees 15 per cent in excellent condition, 51 per cent is considered good, 26 per cent is fair, and 7 per cent is poor.
The hail occurred in pockets across the province, with the most severe damage occurring in the North Battleford region. Some producers reported entire canola crops that had to be written off. This moisture delayed the haying process, but the majority of the province says their hay crop is less than average for yield, however, the quality is rated good to excellent.
The high temperatures and lack of rain is the perfect environment for grasshoppers. They are now entering their adult stages and will be causing the most crop damage around this time.
Other factors that contributed to damaged crops this week include heat, dry winds, and gophers. Gophers are a serious problem in many areas across Saskatchewan, causing some producers to lose large portions of their fields.
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 June 20 to 26, 2023
Growing conditions are becoming highly variable in the region, with some producers seeing their crop impacted by the heat and dry soil conditions, while others have good growing conditions and adequate moisture. Crops on lighter, sandier soils are the worst hit by the heat and lack of widespread rain. Overall, the crop in the region looks good, but without general rain, producers are worried about how quickly things could deteriorate in the upcoming July heat.
Regionally, 69 per cent of the fall cereals, 73 per cent of the spring cereals, 66 per cent of the oilseed crops and 70 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. Crop conditions range from fair to excellent in the region, with 66 per cent of the lentils and 63 per cent of the spring wheat and canola being in good condition currently.
There were localized, heavy rains over the past week, with some of the highest amounts of weekly rainfall being recorded for the province. The Bienfait area received 51 mm while areas such as Whitewood and Weyburn received nearly 30 mm. Producers appreciated the moisture, but the excess moisture has caused severe flooding in some areas.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 75 per cent adequate, 20 per cent short and three per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 58 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and two per cent very short.
Haying was delayed a day or two due to rainy, humid conditions.. Ten per cent of the hay crop is cut with three per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as 28 per cent excellent and 72 per cent good.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to flooding, hail, gophers and insect pests such as cutworms and grasshoppers. Some producers have already sprayed fields multiple times hoping get the grasshoppers under control and reduce the impact on their crops. Producers have noted that gopher populations are once again high and they have caused significant damage in some fields.
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 June 20 to 26, 2023
Growing conditions in the southwest continue to degrade as the region did not receive widespread rain. Crops are beginning to rapidly develop in the driest areas and in some fields, seeds did not germinate. Areas that have received precipitation in the past month appear to be holding on, but soil moisture reserves in areas that have received precipitation aren’t enough to maintain them without a big, replenishing rain.
In the southwest, 63 per cent of the fall cereals, 82 per cent of the spring cereals, 84 per cent of the oilseed crops and 72 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. In the driest area of the region, producers are noting that some durum fields are heading out at only ten inches tall, this is a sign that the crop is under severe stress.
Crop conditions range from very poor to good in the region, with 27 per cent of the spring wheat, 19 per cent of the durum, 23 per of the canola and 23 per cent of the lentils being in good condition at this time.
There were some isolated rainstorms this past week, with the Consul area reporting 23 mm and commenting that the rain fall ranged from 23 to 50 mm across the general area. Producers noted that their sloughs and dugouts have retained most of their water while their crops appear to be suffering from drought and heat stress. A multi-day soaking rain is desperately needed in the region to help relieve crops from the heat and replenish the soil moisture.
Moisture conditions are declining in the southwest region due to limited rainfall, relentless wind, and warm temperatures. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 33 per cent adequate, 33 per cent short and 34 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 25 per cent adequate, 25 per cent short and 50 per cent very short.
Haying is well underway in the region. Thirteen per cent of the hay crop is cut and waiting to be baled or silaged, 18 per cent of the crop has already been baled or silaged with 69 per cent still standing. Hay quality is rated as 17 per cent excellent, 67 per cent good, 8 per cent fair and 8 per cent poor.
The majority of crop damage this week was from wind, drought, grasshoppers and gophers. Producers are doing their best to control the insect pests and gophers that are eating up large portions of their fields, but spraying has been hampered for some due to windy conditions. Some are also spraying fungicide on crops that are now dealing with disease occurrence.
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 June 20 to 26, 2023
Crops are progressing nicely in the region with canola bolting and flowering, while spring wheat is starting to push heads out. Soil moisture has been largely adequate for the region since the beginning of the season. After a few weeks of hot, windy days and localized rains, producers are nervous crop quality will degrade. Crops on sandier hill tops where the soil cannot retain moisture as well are struggling the most.
Seventy-nine per cent of the fall cereals, 64 per cent of the spring cereals, 59 per cent of the oilseed crops and 77 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. Crop conditions range from fair to excellent in the region with a small portion of crops rated as being in poor condition. Forty-eight per cent of the canola, 57 per of the spring wheat and 62 per cent of the lentils are currently rated as being in good condition.
There were several rainstorms across the eastern half of the region over the past week with many areas experiencing hail and flash flooding. The Wadena area reported 50 mm, the Langenburg area 31 mm, the Kelliher area 25 mm and the Humboldt area 20 mm. Most of Crop District 6A missed out on rain and producers in this crop district are worried their crops will not withstand the hot July days without a soaking rain.
Regionally, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 60 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 46 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and nine per cent very short.
Haying is underway in the region with 13 per cent of the hay crop cut and waiting to be baled, seven per cent is currently baled or silage, while 80 per cent is still waiting to be cut. Hay quality is rated as 21 per cent excellent, 54 per cent good, 17 per cent fair and eight per cent poor.
The majority of crop damage this week was from flooding, hail, grasshoppers and gophers. Grasshoppers are very severe in the western half of the region and some producers have elected to continue spraying to control them rather than switch to fungicide applications to control disease.
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 June 20 to 26, 2023
Growing conditions vary across the region, but the large majority of crops are suffering from drought and heat stress which is likely to hurt their potential yields. Without substantial moisture soon, many producers are expecting below average crop yields. Crops are beginning to mature rapidly and some cereal crops are starting to yellow and brown off due to the stressful growing conditions.
Where moisture has been less of an issue, crops appear to be at normal stages of development. In drier areas however, crops are either significantly advanced, or behind due to poor growing conditions. Regionally, 47 per cent of the fall cereals, 63 per cent of the spring cereals, 59 per cent of the oilseed crops and 71 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. Some wheat crops have been noted to have started to head out while still quite short, canola has also been reported to have started flowering. Crop conditions range from poor to good in the region, with 53 per cent of the spring wheat, 52 per of the canola and 47 per cent of the lentils being in good condition currently.
There were only small showers in the region over the past week, with very little significant precipitation received. The Saskatoon area received 15 mm, the Cando area seven mm and the Netherhill area three mm. After weeks of absent or isolated rain showers, topsoil moisture conditions continue to decline. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 51 per cent adequate, 38 per cent short and eleven per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 37 per cent adequate, 45 per cent short and 18 per cent very short.
Haying operations have started in the region with 15 per cent of the crop cut and waiting to be baled or silaged and another 12 per cent that has been baled or silaged so far. Seventy-three per cent of the hay crop is still standing. Producers are hoping for a soaking rain after they are done to ensure for good regrowth and a possible second cut. Hay quality is rated as 18 per cent excellent, 65 per cent good and 17 per cent fair.
The majority of crop damage this week was from heat, wind and dry soil conditions. Grasshoppers are causing severe damage in the region and producers are actively spraying to keep them under control. They are busy getting prepared for haying season, scouting fields and assessing crop damage. Some have also begun fungicide applications.
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 June 20 to 26, 2023
Crops are beginning to show signs of stress after another hot, dry week in much of the region. There were small, spotty showers that dotted the region but the rainfall was not significant enough to help struggling crops. The stress of the heat and dry conditions, coupled with the earlier than normal seeding dates has allowed crops in the region to be ahead of their normal development stages for this time of year.
Regionally, three per cent of the fall cereals, 59 per cent of the spring cereals, 63 per cent of the oilseed crops and 61 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. Almost 40 per cent of all crops in the region are ahead in their development.
Crop conditions range from poor to excellent in the region, with 66 per cent of the spring wheat, 63 per of the canola and 60 per cent of the peas rated as being in good condition at this time.
Rainfall for the region ranged from trace amounts to 17 mm in the Prince Albert area. Over Sunday night a large storm passed through the western half of the region bringing with it large volumes of rain and hail; some producers estimate the rainfall to be upwards of three inches, and in some cases the hail resulted in complete crop loss.
Crop land topsoil moisture is rated as 51 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 39 per cent adequate, 58 per cent short and four per cent very short. While the region started off with adequate moisture, conditions are continuing to decline due to lack of rain and warm temperatures.
Ten per cent of the hay crop is now cut and is waiting for producers to bale or silage it. As of Monday, seven per cent of the hay crop had been baled or put up for silage. Hay quality is rated as 18 per cent excellent and 82 per cent good.
The majority of crop damage this week was from localized storms that resulted in flooding and hail, insect pests and wind. Producers are busy spraying for weeds, insects and disease. Livestock producers are prepping haying equipment and will be getting into their fields shortly.
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 June 20 to 26, 2023
The northwest continues to struggle through dry conditions as they come through another hot and relatively rain-free week. Very spotty and isolated rain showers passed through the region, leaving producers anxious about how much longer their crops can go on without significant moisture.
Crops are starting to mature rapidly in response to their growing conditions and this could possibly limit their yield potential and quality. Sixty-two per cent of the spring cereals, 63 per cent of the oilseed crops and 71 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. The remaining crops are rated as being ahead of normal development. This trend will continue to get worse if the hot, dry conditions continue. Crop conditions range from fair to good in the region, with 57 per cent of the spring wheat, 52 per cent of the canola and 45 per cent of the peas being in good condition at this time.
There was some heavy precipitation and hail in the North Battleford area. In areas with most severe hail, Canola was affected the worst, followed by cereal crops such as wheat and barley. With the hailstorm came 50 mm of rain which also resulted in flooding and further crop damage, rainfall across the region ranged from two mm up to 50 mm.
Cropland topsoil moisture rated as one per cent surplus, 53 per cent adequate, 36 per cent short and 10 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as seven per cent surplus, 45 per cent adequate, 32 per cent short and 17 per cent very short.
Haying has been slow in the region with only eight per cent of the crop cut and the rest still standing. Hay quality is rated as 11 per cent excellent, 33 per cent good, 44 per cent fair and 11 per cent poor.
The majority of crop damage this week was from flooding, severe hail and wind. Insect pests are causing some issues across the region and producers have been busy spraying to keep them under control.
