Although the warm weather has been hard on areas with little moisture, the hot temperatures have significantly helped crop development and progress through haying operations.
Crop Extension Specialist Mackenzie Hladun says 71% of the province’s first cut of hay has been baled or silaged. Hay yields are estimated at 1.08 tons per acre, comparable with the 5-year average. The 5-year average is 1.06 tons/acre, and the 10-year-average is within reach at 1.17 tons/acre. There were pockets of moisture across the province, with the most rain being received near Old Wives at 33 millimeters. However, the drought conditions in the southwest and west central regions were not diminished by the trace amounts of precipitation, and topsoil moisture was affected.
Cropland topsoil moisture is only 15 per cent adequate, with 57 per cent short and 28 per cent very short.
Hay and pastureland topsoil moisture was only 12 per cent adequate, 50 per cent short and 38 per cent very short.
The majority of crops are developing at a normal rate for this time of year. About 61 per cent of fall cereals are at a normal stage of development, with 35 per cent ahead of the game. Fifty-five per cent of spring cereals are maturing at a normal rate, while 37 per cent are ahead of normal.
Farmers saw the most damage occur as a result of extended dry conditions, as well as grasshoppers. There were also a few reports of disease.
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 11 to 17, 2023
Crops and haying are progressing quickly in the southeast. Pockets of rain moved through the southeast this week, with the highest in the region, 28 mm being reported in the Pense area. The warm weather seen throughout the region this week led to a decrease in soil moisture. Cropland topsoil moisture is 19 per cent adequate, 57 per cent short and 24 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is 12 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 46 per cent very short.
Crops are continuing to develop at mostly normal rates for this time of year. Pulse crops are the most ahead in development for this time of year, with 22 per cent of the crop ahead of normal. Oilseeds are the furthest behind in development, with 19 per cent of the crops behind normal stages of development for this time of year.
Haying is nearing completion, with 69 per cent of the first cut of hay baled or silaged in the southeast, 14 per cent is still standing and 17 per cent is cut. The hay is of good quality and producers are not anticipating a second cut of hay for the year. Depending on the type of hay, yields are estimated to be between 1.8 (greenfeed) and 1.1 (wild) tons per acre. Silage yields overall are estimated to be 5.3 tons/acre.
Crop damage this week is due to dry conditions and grasshoppers in the area. Producers are busy finishing haying, scouting their fields and preparing for harvest.
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 11 to 17, 2023
Crops are progressing quickly in the area because of the recent warm and dry conditions. Scattered rain events were seen in the Southwest this past week. The most recorded was 33 mm in the Old Wives area, while other areas received trace amounts or no rain at all. Topsoil moisture remains relatively unchanged this week. Cropland topsoil moisture is six per cent adequate, 49 per cent short and 45 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land is reportedly very similar; four per cent has adequate moisture, 48 per cent is short and 48 per cent is very short.
Crops are developing quickly in the southwest. Crops are now either ahead or at normal stages of development. Fall cereals are the most advanced and are equally split between being ahead of, or at normal stages of development. Spring cereals are the furthest behind in development, with four per cent of the crop behind normal stages of development.
The first cut of hay is almost complete, with 78 per cent of the first cut either baled or silaged. Only 10 per cent of the crop is still standing, while the remaining 12 per cent is cut. Overall, hay in the region is being reported as good to fair quality. Producers in the region are not anticipating a second cut this year. Depending on the type of hay, dryland hay yields are estimated to range between 0.6 (alfalfa) and 1.4 (greenfeed) tons per acre. Irrigated brome/alfalfa hay yield estimates are being reported at 3.2 tons per acre, while irrigated alfalfa has a slightly lower yield at 3.1 tons per acre. Silage yields are estimated to be 2.0 tons per acre.
Crop damage this past week is due to drought conditions and grasshoppers. Producers are expressing thoughts about using grain crops for feed this year, as well as concerns about feed shortages. Producers are busy finishing haying, scouting for grasshoppers and preparing 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 11 to 17, 2023
Warm temperatures ensured producers had an uninterrupted week of haying and crop development. Soil moisture reserves from this past spring have run out in the east-central region and producers are hoping for rain in the area soon.
Little precipitation was received in the region this past week. Semans reported the most rain, with 10 mm. Soil moisture diminished in the east-central region this week and cropland topsoil moisture is now 15 per cent adequate, 57 per cent short and 29 per cent very short. Thirteen per cent of hay and pasture land has adequate topsoil moisture, 52 per cent is short and 33 per cent is very short.
Crops are generally at normal stages of development for this time of year. Spring cereals are the most ahead of normal stages of development, at 11 per cent. Fall cereals are the most behind normal stages of development, with 16 per cent behind.
Producers are making swift progress with haying in the region. Sixty-eight per cent of the first cut has been baled or silaged, while 19 per cent is cut and only 13 per cent is still standing. The hay is of excellent to fair quality, with the majority being good quality. Producers are not anticipating a second cut. Hay yield estimates range between 0.8 (wild) to 1.4 (brome/alfalfa) tons per acre and silage yields are estimated at 3.9 tons per acre.
Crop damage this week is due to dry conditions and grasshoppers. Producers are busy finishing haying and scouting their fields.
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 11 to 17, 2023
The west-central region has progressed through haying rapidly and are the most advanced in haying progress. With the region experiencing drought, many producers are hoping for rain to replenish soil moisture reserves.
Very little rain was received in the west-central region this week and, therefore, there was little relief for crops in this moisture-stressed area. The greatest amount of rain recorded this week was in Unity, with 18 mm being reported. Topsoil moisture remains relatively unchanged this week. Sixteen per cent of cropland has adequate moisture, 55 per cent is short and 28 per cent is very short. Eight per cent of hay and pasture land has adequate moisture, 43 per cent is short and 49 per cent is very short.
The majority of crops in the region are at normal stages of development for this time of year. Oilseeds are the most ahead of normal stages of development. Spring cereals are the most behind, with nine per cent of the crop behind normal stages of development for this time of year.
Producers are the most advanced in haying in the west-central region compared to the rest of the province. Only six per cent of the first cut of hay is still standing, 13 per cent is cut and 81 per cent has been baled or silaged. The hay is of good quality. Producers are not anticipating a second cut and are expressing concerns about winter feed supplies. Estimated dryland hay yields in the region range from 0.5 (wild and greenfeed) to 0.7 (alfalfa and alfalfa/brome) tons per acre. Estimated irrigated hay yields are greater and range from 1.3 (greenfeed) to 1.9 (brome/alfalfa) tons per acre. Overall silage crops in the region are estimated to yield 2.0 tons per acre.
Crop damage this week is due to drought conditions and grasshopper damage. Many producers are busy scouting for grasshoppers, while also preparing for harvest.
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 11 to 17, 2023
Crops are progressing quickly in the northeast with the warm and dry weather. Producers are hoping for rain soon to help maintain soil moisture reserves.
Little precipitation was received in the region this week. The Arborfield area received the most at five mm. Other areas in the region reported only trace amounts or none at all. Soil moisture saw a slight decrease this past week. Seventeen per cent of cropland has adequate topsoil moisture, 74 per cent is short and nine per cent is very short. Hay and pasture land is similar, where 10 per cent has adequate topsoil moisture, 72 per cent is short and 18 per cent is very short.
Crops are progressing quickly in the northeast region. Fall cereals are now 94 per cent ahead of normal stages of development for this week. Oilseeds are the least advanced in stages of development, with 53 per cent being at normal stages.
Producers are progressing through haying. Only 10 per cent of the first cut of hay is still standing, while 12 per cent is cut and 78 per cent has been baled or silaged. The hay from the first cut is reported as being good quality. Some producers in the region are hoping to achieve a second cut. Hay yield estimates range from 0.5 (wild) to 1.9 (alfalfa) tons per acre. Silage yield for the region is estimated at 2.0 tons per acre.
Crop damage this week is mainly due to dry conditions. Producers are busy finishing haying and are preparing for harvest.
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 11 to 17, 2023
Producers in the northwest are hoping for more rain to move through the region to help as the crops develop. Areas that did receive rain this week are grateful for the moisture.
Scattered showers moved through the region this week. The Glaslyn area reported the most rain in the region, with 26 mm being received. A large decrease in soil moisture accompanied the heat this past week. For cropland, 31 per cent has adequate soil moisture, 57 per cent is short and 13 per cent is very short. Twenty-seven per cent of hay and pasture land acres have adequate topsoil moisture, 56 per cent are short and 18 per cent are very short.
Crops in the northwest are mainly in normal stages of development for this time of year. Spring cereals are the most advanced, with 41 per cent of the crop ahead of normal for this time of year. Oilseeds are the most behind, with three per cent behind normal for this time of year.
Producers in the northwest are making progress with haying. Twenty-seven per cent of the first cut of hay is still standing, 20 per cent is cut and 53 per cent has been baled or silaged. The hay is rated as being good quality. Producers are not anticipating a second cut this year. Hay yield estimates range from 0.8 (other tame hay or wild) to 1.6 (greenfeed) tons per acre. Silage yield estimates for the region are 4.0 tons per acre.
Crop damage this week is due to lack of moisture. Producers are busy haying and preparing for harvest.
