Submitted by Saskatchewan Agriculture
Haying continues to progress in the province as livestock producers now have 20 per cent of the hay crop cut and 25 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is currently rated as four per cent excellent, 47 per cent good, 32 per cent fair and 17 per cent poor. Hay yields have been well below normal for many producers and will be in short supply this year in several areas.
Estimated average dryland hay yields at this time are 0.9 tons per acre for alfalfa,1 ton for alfalfa/brome grass, 0.7 tons for other tame hay and 1.7 tons per acre for greenfeed. Estimated average irrigated hay yields are 1.6 tons per acre for alfalfa, 1.2 tons per acre for alfalfa/bromegrass and 2.3 tons per acre for greenfeed. Most producers have indicated that there will not be a second cut of hay this year.
Some areas of the province received rainfall last week that will help crops fill and replenish topsoil moisture. Rainfall ranged from nil to 83 mm in the Sonningdale area. Provincially, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as three per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate, 12 per cent short and one per cent very short. Topsoil moisture on the hay land and pasture is rated as one per cent surplus, 75 per cent adequate, 22 per cent short and two per cent very short.
Seventy-six per cent of the fall cereals, 67 per cent of the spring cereals, 55 per cent of the oilseeds and 69 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. Some crops are one to two weeks behind in development, which may be of significance depending on the weather during harvest and when the first fall frost occurs.
The majority of crop damage this week was from localized flooding, strong winds, hail and insects such as grasshoppers and aphids. There are reports of disease issues in pulse crops. Producers continue with haying operations and scouting for pests.
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
For the Period July 16 to July 22
Livestock producers now have 27 per cent of the hay baled or put into silage, and an additional 26 per cent is cut and ready for baling. Hay quality is rated as 32 per cent good, 37 per cent fair and 31 per cent poor. Hay yields are significantly below average and most producers have indicated that that there will not be a second cut due to lack of early-season moisture and plant growth. Producers are also sourcing feed.
Rainfall last week varied across the region with up to 83 mm was reported in the Sonningdale area. The Dinsmore area has received the most precipitation since April 1 (261 mm). Topsoil moisture conditions improved last week with the rainfall. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 90 per cent adequate and nine per cent short while hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate, 15 per cent short and two per cent very short.
Crops are advancing nicely across the region, though the majority are normal-to-behind in their development. Eighty-nine per cent of the fall cereals, 61 per cent of the spring cereals, 56 per cent of the oilseeds and 75 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. Some crops are one to two weeks behind in development, which may be of significance depending on the weather during harvest and when the first fall frost occurs.
The majority of crop damage this week was caused by hail, strong winds and insects such as aphids. There are reports of disease issues caused by root rot in pulse crops. Producers are busy haying, fencing, fixing equipment and getting ready for harvest
