NORHT BATTLEFORD - Producers in the northwest were happy to see warm, sunny days this past week and are hoping for continued warm weather to help crops advance. Many regions also received rain which was welcome for many, however, some areas did report localized flooding and hail.
Most of the crops in the region were rated as fair to excellent in condition. Ninety-eight per cent of fall cereals, 70 per cent of spring cereals, 64 per cent of oilseeds and 73 per cent of pulse crops are rated as being in their normal development stages for this time of year. Recent warm conditions have continued to allow crops to progress.
Rainfall in the region ranged from small amounts to 53 mm in the Glaslyn area. The Frenchman Butte area received six mm of rain, the Meadow Lake area 13 mm, the Medstead area 16 mm and the Speers area 24 mm.
Topsoil moisture conditions have improved overall in the region with less land being rated as surplus and short for moisture. Cropland topsoil moisture is currently rated as 11 per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate and five per cent short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is currently rated as 12 per cent surplus, 79 per cent adequate and nine per cent short.
While cool temperatures and moisture concerns, both too much and too little, have slowed hay development and haying operations, the warm weather and showers this past week have improved conditions. Haying is slowly continuing, with nine per cent of the hay crop cut and one per cent currently baled or put into silage.
Most of the damage this past week was caused by localized flooding, localized hail and strong winds. Fungicides continue to be sprayed throughout most of the region by both ground and aerial application
