The weekend weather forecast is calling for a general rain and everyone is hoping for as much as possible for as long as possible.

The new Saskatchewan Agriculture crop report says some scattered areas received thunderstorms late last week, which provided precipitation—but often over a short period.

Matt Struthers is an extension specialist with the provincial ministry of agriculture. Other locations around the province receiving notable rainfall last week were Prince Albert (49mm), Spruce Home (32mm), Deere Ridge (25mm), Hanley (23mm), Kenaston (19mm) and Ituna 18 (mm).

Overall, provincial topsoil moisture ratings for cropland, pastures and hayland declined on the week.

Other locations around the province receiving notable rainfall last week were Prince Albert (49mm), Spruce Home (32mm), Deere Ridge (25mm), Hanley (23mm), Kenaston (19mm) and Ituna 18 (mm)

Overall, provincial topsoil moisture ratings for cropland, pastures and hayland declined on the week.

The driest regions appears to be the northwest, west-central and northeast. Crop conditions range from poor to good, with the majority being fair. Some spraying has been done to control flea beetles and grasshoppers.  The region-by-region crop report summary is below. (Above photo—credit Saskatchewan Agriculture/X)

Census Division 1 – Carnduff, Estevan, Lampman, Redvers and Stoughton areas
Census Division 2 – Avonlea, Fillmore, Minton, Radville and Weyburn areas
Census Division 5 – Broadview, Esterhazy, Melville and Moosomin areas
Census Division 6 – Belle Plaine, Cupar, Lumsden, Indian Head, Regina and Rouleau areas

Growing conditions remain relatively good in the region following some very small showers this past week. Producers are hoping for good general rains to help further development and avoid seeing their crops begin to deteriorate. Those areas that did not receive rain this past week report that crops appear to be holding on for now, but the relentless wind is quickly drying out the topsoil and rain will be needed soon.

The Ituna area reported the most rain for the region with 18 millimetres (mm) followed by the Strasbourg area with 10 mm, the Big Beaver area with nine mm and the Frobisher area with five mm. The rain received across the region was not enough to improve topsoil moisture, and this week’s update indicates that the moisture ratings have declined.

Crop land topsoil moisture is rated as 61 per cent adequate, 34 per cent short and five per cent very short. Hayland is rated as 53 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and six per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 56 per cent adequate, 38 per cent short and six per cent very short. Producers report that crops in lower areas of both their crop and pasture fields look much better than the crops growing on hill tops.

Crop development remains strong across the region; producers report that most of their crops are rated as normal in their development stages. Spring moisture and some previous rains have allowed the crops in the region to sustain themselves as conditions become drier. Crop conditions in the region are rated from fair to good with some crops rated as excellent; the fall and spring cereals have the largest proportions rated as excellent compared to oilseeds and pulses.

While producers wait for more rain, they are busy applying the last applications of in-crop herbicides and will be beginning to apply fungicides to keep disease pressure in check. The leading causes of damage this past week were the dry conditions, wind and flea beetles which are feeding on young canola plants; producers believe that the crop will be able to outgrow the pest and will not see major damage.

Census Division 3 – Assiniboia, Gravelbourg, Mankota, Ponteix and Rockglen areas
Census Division 4 – Cadillac, Consul, Eastend, Maple Creek and Val Marie areas
Census Division 7 – Beechy, Central Butte, Craik, Herbert, Hodgeville and Moose Jaw areas
Census Division 8 – Cabri, Elrose, Fox Valley, Leader, Swift Current and Tompkins areas

Conditions continue to worsen in the region as heavy isolated showers were received over the past week, which did very little to improve the overall growing conditions of the region. Producers are hoping their crops get a good steady rain soon that gives both annual crop land and pasture land a break from the extremely dry conditions so far this year. With the heavy rain also came hail, which ranged in severity, and producers are hopeful that their crops can recover.

The Tugaske area reported the most rainfall with 39 millimetres (mm) followed by Cabri with 21 mm and Shaunavon with 17 mm. Other areas of the region got spotty rains that ranged from one to 16 mm, and the continued lack of generalized rain has sharply lowered topsoil moisture conditions this week.

Crop land topsoil moisture is rated as 19 per cent adequate, 58 per cent short and 23 per cent very short. Hay land is rated as twelve per cent adequate, 36 per cent short and 56 per cent very short. Pasture land is rated as 11 per cent adequate, 43 per cent short and 46 per cent very short. Crops in the driest areas of the region are suffering badly with reports of crops ahead of their normal development due to the amount of stress they are under.

Crop development is still largely rated as normal for the region. However, the southwest has the largest proportion of crops rated as ahead in their development compared to any other region, there are reports of spring seeded cereals already well into the heading stage and oilseed crops that have begun to flower. Overall crop conditions range from poor to good with no crop type having a rating as excellent. Rain is desperately needed in the region to sustain and improve crops before more yield potential is lost.

The heat and dry conditions continue to be the leading cause of damage this week, followed by the relentless wind, which physically damages the crop but also increases the rate at which moisture is lost. Flea beetles and grasshoppers are also a problem for some producers and their severity ranges from minor to moderate. In the areas that saw some heavy rain over a short period of time there was some minor damage from flooding.

Producers are continuing to finish out their spraying operations to control weeds and insect pests. Some producers have started to cut their hay as plants are beginning to dry down and will quickly become less nutritional to their livestock if not cut and baled now.

Census Division 12 – Biggar, Delisle, Rosetown and Sonningdale areas
Census Division 13 – Cut Knife, Kerrobert, Kindersley, Macklin, Plenty and Wilkie areas

Scattered rain showers did very little to improve growing conditions in the region, and areas that received rain were provided some relief that allowed them a chance to hold on a little longer. Pastures and hay land have continued to deteriorate, and producers are likely to begin cutting hay soon before they lose too much biomass. Producers also continue to apply in-crop pesticide applications when weather permits to keep weeds and pests under control.

The Coleville area received the most rain with 46 mm followed by the Smiley area with 25 mm and the Netherhill area with 20 mm. Receiving large amounts of rain over a short period of time combined with very dry soil resulted in flooding of some fields, which will likely dry up very quickly and crops will be largely unaffected.

Topsoil moisture levels in the region remain extremely low with crop land being rated as 22 per cent adequate, 57 per cent short and 21 per cent very short. Hay land is rated as 17 per cent adequate, 50 per cent short and 33 per cent very short, followed by pasture land with 16 per cent adequate, 53 per cent short and 31 per cent very short. Crops on sandier soils or hill tops are beginning to show increased signs of stress.

Despite the stress of dry conditions, crops are still rated as being largely in their normal stages of development; however, an increasing number of crops are being rated as behind in development as the crop struggles to maintain its growth without adequate moisture. Crop conditions range from poor to good, with the larger portion of crops being rated as fair. Crop conditions will continue to decrease if rainfall remains scarce.

Producers reported moderate to severe crop damage due to dry conditions, wind and heat within the region. Minor to severe damage was reported by hail and flooding. Producers will continue to monitor flea beetle and grasshopper pressure; at this point most crop damage has been minor, but some control measures are being taken.

Census Division 9 – Calder, Canora, Pelly, Preeceville, Sheho and Yorkton areas
Census Division 10 – Foam Lake, Kelliher, Leroy, Raymore and Wadena areas
Census Division 11 – Davidson, Colonsay, Langham, Lanigan, Nokomis, Outlook and Saskatoon areas

Much of the region missed out on any meaningful rains over the past week and producers are reporting that fields are rapidly drying out and the crops are beginning to show increased signs of stress.

The Calder area was fortunate enough to receive 24 millimetres (mm) of rain, while the Hanley area received 23 mm and the Kenaston area received 19 mm. No other meaningful rainfall amounts were reported with most amounts being less than 10 mm. Producers are hopeful that rain is in the forecast, and it is a steady generalized rain.

Topsoil moisture ratings fell across the region. Crop land soil moisture is rated as 47 per cent adequate, 38 per cent short and 15 per cent very short. Hayland is rated as 40 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and 23 per cent very short, pastureland is rated as 38 per cent adequate, 32 per cent short and 30 per cent very short.

Crops in the region are struggling with the growing conditions and weather. While most crops are rated as normal, there is a large portion of spring cereals and oilseeds that are behind in development. This delay in development increases the risk of these crops being in their most vulnerable states during the hottest days of the season. Crop conditions range from poor to good with most ratings being good.

Minor to moderate damage caused by wind, heat and dry conditions was reported this week. Minor to moderate crop damage was reported due to flea beetles and producers have begun to carry out control measures.

Census Division 14 – Choiceland, Hudson Bay, Kelvington, Melfort, and Nipawin areas
Census Division 15 – Cudworth, Humboldt, Kinistino, Prince Albert, Rosthern and St. Brieux areas

Producers report that cool temperatures and rain showers were a welcome sight this past week, their crops have finally received some relief from the atypically dry conditions of this year. Due to the poor moisture conditions of the spring, crop stands remain patchy and uneven leading to varied crop stages.

The region finally received some decent precipitation, with the most reported rainfall from the Prince Albert area with 49 millimetres (mm), then the Bruno area received 40 mm and the RM Spruce Home area received 32 mm. There were several other areas that received heavy rainfall over the week; this will help crops in the region but also resulted in flooding and hailstorms.

Topsoil moisture ratings for the region improved following the rain. Cropland topsoil moisture ratings are now three per cent surplus, 54 per cent adequate, 38 per cent short and five per cent very short. Hayland is rated as 52 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Finally, pasture land is rated as 48 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and twelve per cent very short. Hopefully more rain will be received in the coming weeks to help improve soil moisture.

Despite the abnormally dry start to the growing season, crops are still largely rated to be in their normal development stages for this time of year. Producers will keep a close eye on their crops and monitor if they begin to fall behind in their development. Crop conditions range from poor to good, and without more rain, crops will quickly deteriorate and lose yield potential.

Minor to moderate crop damage was reported in the region due to heat, wind and dry conditions over the past week. There were some large hailstorms reported, damage varied from minor to severe. Minor to moderate crop damage occurred due to flea beetles with some reports of more severe damage. Minor grasshopper, cutworm and pea leaf weevil damage was noted within the region as well.

Census Division 16 – Blaine Lake, Canwood, North Battleford, Radisson and Spiritwood areas
Census Division 17 – Glaslyn, Maidstone, Meadow Lake, Pierceland and St. Walburg areas

Precipitation was finally received across some areas of the region, however, not widespread enough or in quantities that drastically change the overall conditions. Producers remain hopeful that more rain will fall in the near future before crops begin to go backwards.

The Meadow Lake areas reported the most rain with 64 millimetres (mm), which was desperately needed but likely resulted in flooding and was accompanied by hail. The Deer Ridge area received 25 mm and the North Battleford area received 14 mm, while the Rivercourse area only received eight mm.

These showers were enough to improve top-soil moisture ratings for the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 24 per cent adequate, 55 per cent short and 21 per cent very short. Hayland is rated 16 per cent adequate, 50 per cent short and 34 per cent very short, while pasture land is rated as 17 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and 36 per cent very short. While these moisture levels have risen slightly, there are still many areas of the region that are extremely dry.

The stressful growing conditions across the region have pushed crop development ahead for earlier seeded crops while those crops seeded a little later are rated as being behind. The crops rated as normal will begin to be delayed if growing conditions do not improve in the region. Crop conditions in the region range from poor to good, with the majority rated as being fair.

Minor to moderate crop damage was reported in the region due to wind, heat and dry conditions over the past week. Minor to moderate damage due to hail was also reported. Minor to moderate crop damage occurred due to flea beetles with some producers taking control measures. There were also some reports of minor damage due to grasshoppers and pea leaf weevil.