The Saskatchewan Agriculture weekly crop report says early-seeded crops are nearing maturity in many southwest parts of the province with a small percentage of peas, lentils and spring cereals being harvested. Fortunately, May and June rain boosted soil moisture reserves, which were needed in the July heat. Southwest crop should be better than in previous drought years.

Warm, dry conditions over the second half of July have sped up crop development, but there are still northern and eastern areas where crop development remains behind normal.  For example in the northeast, 36 per cent of canola is behind normal development as are 30 per cent of spring cereals and 25 per cent of pulse crops.

While scattered showers brought limited moisture in some areas last week, most received no rain. Milden had the highest total with 31 millimetres, followed by Beaver River with 28 millimetres and Invermay 20 millimetres.

Provincial cropland topsoil moisture is rated two per cent surplus, 56 per cent adequate, 33 per cent short and nine per cent very short.

Many pastures are in good to fair condition, but a small portion is rated in poor condition due to limited precipitation in certain areas. Currently, six per cent of pastures are in excellent condition, 53 per cent are good, 33 per cent are fair, seven per cent are poor, and one per cent is in very poor condition.

Crop damage was reported in areas experiencing hot temperatures paired with dry conditions, with some areas reporting minor to moderate damage. There were also reports of wind, grasshoppers and bertha armyworms causing minor crop damage in certain areas.