Some areas are faring better than others, with the best crops tending to be in the northern third of the grain growing region.
Saskatchewan Agriculture’s crop report for July 10-16 indicates another week of extremely variable rainfall. The Glaslyn area in the northwest reported 103 millimetres (4 inches), while Turtleford had 61 millimetres.
Some areas in the west-central and southwest regions are still in need of a significant rainfall to help crops fill pods and heads.
Across the province, topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as two percent surplus, 57 percent adequate, 30 percent short and 11 percent very short.
Crops in drier areas are under heat stress. There have also been reports of grasshoppers.
The 2018 hay crop is going to be smaller than normal. Estimated average dryland hay yields are one ton per acre for alfalfa and alfalfa/bromegrass; 0.8 ton per acre for other tame hay and 1.5 tons per acre for greenfeed.
As expected, hay yields are much better on irrigated land: 2.1 tons per acre for alfalfa; 2.2 tons for alfalfa/bromegrass and 2.7 tons per acre for greenfeed.
You can check out the region-by- region crop report below:
SOUTHEAST
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
Crops are advancing rapidly in the region and remain in good condition despite some thunderstorms bringing localized hail and severe winds. Livestock producers in the region now have 20 per cent of the hay crop cut and 39 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as nine per cent excellent, 65 per cent good and 26 per cent fair. Hay yields are lower than average overall and many producers have indicated it is unlikely they will get a second cut. Pastures in the area have slow growth and could use a significant rainfall.
High temperatures and wind have continued to stress crops in the region, although some areas received light rainfall ranging from trace amounts to 34 mm in the Weyburn area. The Glenavon and Grenfell areas reported 21 mm of rain, the Tantallon area 11 mm, the Whitewood area 13 mm, the Frobisher area 18 mm, the Wilcox area 28mm and the Moose Jaw area 7 mm. The Lampman area maintains the record for the most precipitation (393 mm) in both the region and the province since April 1.
Weather conditions have been hard on topsoil moisture over the past week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated at one per cent surplus, 55 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 55 per cent adequate, 38 percent short and seven per cent very short.
Crop damage was caused primarily by high temperatures and strong winds this week. Localized flooding and hail damage from thunderstorms were also reported. Producers are keeping an eye on disease and insect issues in the field, and there are a few reports of leaf diseases causing early ripening in lentils.
Producers are busy haying, preparing harvest equipment and scouting fields.
SOUTHWEST
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
Crops are advancing quickly due to recent high temperatures. Storms brought hail, wind and some much-needed moisture to parts of the region. Haying continues in the area and 16 per cent of the hay crop is now cut and 63 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is currently rated as 52 per cent good and 48 per cent fair. Hay yields are well-below normal with many producers not expecting a second cut due to lack of regrowth. Pastures are in need of a significant rainfall, with many at carrying capacity.
Rainfall over the last week has ranged from trace amounts to 68 mm in the Admiral area. The Limerick area reported 30 mm of rain, the Tompkins and Ponteix areas 7 mm, the Mossbank area 11 mm, the Shaunavon area 48 mm, the Gouldtown area 37 mm, the Gull Lake area 12 mm andthe Mortlach area 3 mm. The Hazenmore area has had the most precipitation (172 mm) in the region since April 1.
Topsoil moisture conditions in the area have worsened due to high temperatures throughout the week. Crop topsoil moisture is now rated as 27 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and 26 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture has deteriorated and is rated as 16 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and 40 per cent very short. Crop District 3ASW is in need of significant moisture as 55 per cent of cropland and 60 per cent of hay land are very short on topsoil moisture.
Crop damage was caused primarily by lack of moisture and high temperatures; crops have been maturing quickly as a result. There has also been damage caused by large hail. Moisture is needed to help crops fill heads and pods.
Producers are busy haying, preparing equipment for harvest and assessing crops for environmental damage.
EAST-CENTRAL
Crop District 5 Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville and Kelvington areas;
Crop District 6A Lumsden, Craik, Watrous and Clavet areas
The region received variable weather this week, with high temperatures and localized thunderstorms bringing floods and hail damage. Crops are advancing nicely and are mostly in good condition. Haying continues in the region with 26 per cent cut and 45 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as nine per cent excellent, 71 per cent good, 13 per cent fair and seven per cent poor. Hay yields have been below normal in the region due to lack of moisture.
The amount of rain in the region varied widely, ranging from trace amounts to 37 mm in the Jedburgh area. The Hubbard area reported 18 mm of rain, the Goodeve area 14 mm, the Rhein area 34 mm, the Elfros area 6 mm, the Pelly area 2 mm, the Lumsden area 10 mm, the Watrous area 17 mm and the Rocanville area 13 mm. The Langenburg area has received the most precipitation (369 mm) in the region since April 1.
Topsoil moisture conditions are similar to last week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 51 per cent adequate, 34 per cent short and 11 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 41 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and 17 per cent very short. Crop District 6A is in need of significant moisture, as 29 per cent of cropland and 40 per cent of hay land is very short on moisture.
Fungicide applications have wrapped up in the region. The majority of crop damage this week was due to weather, with some crops stressed from high temperatures and strong winds and other crops stressed from hail and localized flooding due to storms. The high temperatures over this past week have caused some heat blasting of pods in flowering canola crops.
Producers are haying, scouting fields and keeping an eye on the skies.
WEST-CENTRAL
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
The region had high temperatures, strong winds and a few localized storms roll through this past week. Crops are advancing nicely in most areas but some are lacking moisture. Haying continues in the region with 23 per cent of the hay crop cut and 50 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as eight per cent excellent, 67 per cent good, 17 per cent fair and eight per cent poor. Hay yields are below normal for the region.
Rainfall this past week varied from trace amounts to 53 mm in the Unity area. The Rosetown and Biggar areas reported 27 mm of rain, the Outlook area 10 mm, the Smiley area 36 mm, the Conquest area 7 mm, the Marengo area 40 mm, the Biggar area 27 mm, the Landis area 35 mm and the Major area 9 mm. The Saskatoon area has received the most precipitation (265 mm) in the region since April 1.
Topsoil moisture conditions have improved slightly from last week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 80 per cent adequate, 15 per cent short and five per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 71 per cent adequate, 20 per cent short and nine per cent very short.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to strong winds and high temperatures. A few storms rolled through the area causing hail damage. There is little insect or disease pressure and most producers have finished fungicide applications.
Producers are busy haying, scouting fields and hoping for more rain.
NORTHEAST
Crop District 8 Hudson Bay, Tisdale, Melfort, Carrot River, Humboldt, Kinistino, Cudworth and Aberdeen areas;
Crop District 9AE Prince Albert, Choiceland and Paddockwood areas
Crops are advancing nicely in the region despite high temperatures causing some stress. Overall, crops remain in good condition, although there are some areas that will need moisture in the coming weeks to fill heads and pods. Haying continues in the region with 25 per cent of the hay crop cut and 37 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality at this time is rated as 15 per cent excellent, 69 per cent good and 16 per cent fair.
Scattered storms brought varying amounts of rain to the region along with strong winds. Rainfall ranged from trace amounts to 26 mm in the Vonda area. The Star City area reported 2 mm of rain, the Arborfield area 5 mm, the Nipawin area 22 mm, the Humboldt area 3 mm, the Melfort area 15 mm, the Birch Hills area 23 mm and the Kinistino area 10 mm. The Arborfield area has received the most precipitation (260 mm) in the region since April 1.
Topsoil moisture conditions have improved over the past week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate and 14 per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate and 14 per cent short.
The majority of crop damage this past week was due to drying winds and high temperatures. Many of the canola crops have been damaged from heat blasting with the recent high temperatures. Along with this there were some localized storms causing flooding and hail damage.
Farmers are busy haying and scouting for insects and disease.
NORTHWEST
Crop District 9AW Shellbrook, North Battleford, Big River and Hafford areas;
Crop District 9B Meadow Lake, Turtleford, Pierceland, Maidstone and Lloydminster areas
Crops are looking good after some nice rains this past week. Producers are continuing with haying across the region this week. Twenty-three per cent of the hay crop cut and 21 per cent is baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as 72 per cent good and 28 per cent fair.
Scattered rainshowers moved through the region last week, bringing strong winds and some hail. Rainfall ranged from trace amounts to 103 mm in the Glaslyn area. The Hafford area received 58 mm of rain, the Duck Lake area 26 mm, the Mayfair area 56 mm, the Neilburg area 69 mm, the Spiritwood area 52 mm, the Turtleford area 61 mm and the Frenchman Butte area 87 mm. The St. Walburg area has received the most precipitation (305 mm) in the region since April 1.
Topsoil moisture conditions have slightly improved with the recent rainfall. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as seven per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate and nine per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 78 per cent adequate and 16 per cent short.
The majority of crop damage this past week is attributed to hail, flooding and strong winds. Producers have been finishing fungicide applications and keeping an eye on insect pest levels.
Producers are busy haying and scouting fields for any damage.
