Some desiccation and pre-harvest glyphosate applications are getting underway, mainly in southern areas.

“We are seeing desiccation, mostly on pea crops,” says Cory Jacob, an extension specialist who helps compile the Saskatchewan Agriculture weekly crop report. “I’m assuming lentils will be pretty close behind.”

Desiccation is used to help the crop mature more evenly and in some cases, deal with weed issues. Additional information on timing and pre-harvest intervals can be found at www.keepingitclean.ca.

Many crops in central and northern areas are a week or two behind normal development. Farmers are hoping to avoid a late August or early September frost.

Jacob indicates the crop potential is much better than it was in mid-June.

“Overall, we are sticking with around average for the crop. As we get through harvest, we will start to see what side of average we are on.”

The most serious disease issue has been ascochyta blight on chickpeas in southern areas.

“It seems to have been quite aggressive,” Jacob notes. “There are a few questions about whether it’s a different strain or it it was conditions or tight rotations.”

Grasshopper numbers are above normal in some areas, including the Saskatoon region.

“Definitely in those drier areas where they haven’t been getting as much rainfall,” says Jacob. “We are hearing reports of some damage in crops, but it is quite spotty and variable. I wouldn’t say it’s worse than last year yet . . . a couple of rains might slow them down a little bit.”

Pastures would also benefit from some rain. Provincial conditions are rated as four percent excellent, 28 percent good, 45 percent fair, 19 percent poor and four percent very poor.

The region-by-region crop report can be viewed below:

SOUTHEAST

Harvest operations are starting in some parts of the region, with reports of pulse crops being desiccated. As crops mature in the coming weeks harvest operations will be in full swing. Some crops are one-to-two weeks behind in development and this may be of concern depending on weather conditions at harvest and when the first fall frost occurs.

Little rainfall was received across the region this past week, ranging from nil to 20 mm in the Glenavon area. The Maryfield area reported 14 mm, the Moosomin area 18 mm and the Kisbey and Moose Jaw areas 2 mm. The Indian Head area has received the most precipitation since April 1 (301 mm). Topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 46 per cent adequate, 52 per cent short and two per cent very short. Topsoil moisture on the hay land and pasture is rated as 37 per cent adequate, 58 per cent short and five per cent very short. Rain would be beneficial to help the later-seeded crops to fill and replenish topsoil moisture.

Regionally, pastures would benefit from moisture. Pasture conditions are rated as 22 per cent good, 55 per cent fair, 21 per cent poor and two per cent very poor. The recent lack of moisture has brought concerns about livestock water quality.

The majority of crop damage this week was from strong winds, extreme heat and a lack of moisture. Ascochyta blight in chickpea is reported to be causing substantial damage in chickpea crops.

Producers are busy with haying operations and getting equipment ready for harvest.

SOUTHWEST

There are reports that harvest operations are beginning in some areas of the region. In the coming weeks producers expect to begin harvest operations. Some crops remain one-two weeks behind in development and depending on weather during harvest this may be a concern.

Little rainfall was received across the region last week. Rainfall ranged from nil to 9 mm in the Gull Lake area. The Rockglen and Limerick areas reported 3 mm and the Mossbank area 7 mm. The area southwest of Moose Jaw has received the most precipitation since April 1 (287 mm). Due to warm weather and strong winds topsoil moisture conditions deteriorated last week. Topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 32 per cent adequate, 60 per cent short and eight per cent very short. Topsoil moisture on the hay land and pasture is rated as 21 per cent adequate, 51 per cent short and 28 per cent very short. Producers have commented that rain would be welcome to help late-seeded crops fill and replenish topsoil moisture.

Pasture conditions in the region are rated as 16 per cent good, 47 per cent fair, 28 per cent poor and nine per cent very poor. Rainfall would be highly beneficial to the pastures. Producers have commented that livestock water quality is a concern with the lack of moisture. The region is highly variable for moisture received. There are parts of the region that are suffering from an extreme lack of moisture, which will significantly impact crop yields along with pasture growth.

Crop damage this week was from strong winds, hail, extreme heat and a lack of moisture. Ascochyta blight in chickpea is reported to be causing substantial damage in chickpea crops.

Producers are haying, hauling grain and getting equipment ready for harvest.

WEST CENTRAL

Harvest operations will be underway in the coming weeks in the region. Some crops are reported to be one-to-two weeks behind in development and this may be of concern depending on the weather during harvest and when the first fall frost occurs.

There was a small amount of rainfall last week with 15 mm reported in the Macklin area. The Hanley area reported 11 mm, the Langham and Unity areas 5 mm, the Cando area 4 mm and the Phippen area 9 mm. The Dinsmore area has received the most precipitation since April 1 (265 mm). Topsoil moisture conditions deteriorated last week due to warm weather and strong winds. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 67 per cent adequate, 31 per cent short and two per cent very short, while hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 61 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and two per cent very short. Moisture would be highly beneficial at this time and would help late-seeded crops fill and replenish topsoil moisture.

Pasture conditions across the region are rated as three per cent excellent, 32 per cent good, 36 per cent fair, 25 per cent poor and four per cent very poor. The lack of moisture has producers voicing concerns about livestock water quality.

Crop damage this week was caused by hail, strong winds, extreme heat, insects and a lack of moisture.

Producers are haying, cleaning grain bins and repairing equipment for harvest.

EAST CENTRAL

Harvest operations have not started in the region. In the coming weeks, however, producers expect to be harvesting. Some crops are reported to be one-to-two weeks behind in development and this may be of concern depending on the weather during harvest and when the first fall frost occurs.

Some areas of the region received some welcomed rain, although more would be beneficial to help later-seeded crops fill and replenish topsoil moisture. Rainfall ranged from nil to 24 mm in the Rhein area, 20 mm in the Yorkton area, 21 mm in the Goodeve area, 15 mm in the Kuroki area, and 14 mm in the Meacham area. The Ituna area has received the most precipitation since April 1 (295 mm). Across the region, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 67 per cent adequate and 33 per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 61 per cent adequate and 37 per cent short and two per cent very short at this time. Producers commented that rain would help late-seeded crops fill and replenish topsoil moisture.

Regionally, pasture conditions are rated as 25 per cent good, 56 per cent fair and 19 per cent poor. Moisture would help pasture growth for grazing livestock. The lack of moisture has producers voicing concerns about livestock water quality.

The sources of crop damage this week were strong winds, hail, extreme heat and a lack of moisture.

NORTHEAST

Producers in the region expect to begin harvest in the coming weeks. As indicated by producers, some crops are one-to-two weeks behind in development and this may be of concern depending on weather during harvest time and when the first fall frost occurs.

The majority of the region received rainfall this past week which will help crops fill and topsoil moisture to remain adequate. Rainfall ranged from 1 mm in the Tisdale area to 94 mm in the Porcupine Plain area. The Arborfield area reported 68 mm of rain, the Nipawin area 87 mm, the Humboldt area 43 mm, the Lake Lenore area 23 mm and the Spruce Home area 36 mm. The Nipawin area has received the most precipitation since April 1 (408 mm). Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as nine per cent surplus, 87 per cent adequate and four per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as nine per cent surplus, 80 per cent adequate, nine per cent short and two per cent very short.

Pasture conditions in the region reflect adequate topsoil moisture. Pastures are rated as 15 per cent excellent, 53 per cent good, 23 per cent fair, six per cent poor and three per cent very poor.

The majority of crop damage this past week was from localized flooding and strong winds.

Producers are busy hauling grain, haying and repairing equipment for harvest.

NORTHWEST

Regionally, producers expect to begin harvest in the coming weeks. As indicated by producers some crops are one-to-two weeks behind in development and this may be of concern depending on weather during harvest time and when the first fall frost occurs.

The majority of the region received rainfall this past week which will help crops fill and topsoil moisture to remain adequate. Rainfall ranged from trace amounts to 38 mm in the Meadow Lake area. The Radisson and Hafford areas reported 12 mm, the Turtleford, Frenchman Butte and Pierceland areas 15 mm and the Barthel area 9 mm. The Turtleford area has received the most precipitation since April 1 (354 mm). Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 92 per cent adequate and five per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 92 per cent adequate and seven per cent short.

Pasture conditions in the region reflect adequate topsoil moisture. Pastures are rated as 16 per cent excellent, 40 per cent good, 39 per cent fair, five per cent poor.

The majority of crop damage this past week was from hail, strong winds and insects.

Producers are busy hauling grain and bales, haying and repairing equipment for harvest.