SASKATCHEWAN CROP REPORT — Crops continue to advance quickly throughout the province due to hot, humid days over the past few weeks. The humidity has slowed haying. When humidity is high, cutting hay becomes more challenging and hay that is cut does not dry down as quickly, which can result in lower quality feed. Canola across the province has suffered from the heat and humidity. Many producers are reporting that their crops have experienced heat blasting and are worried about the effect it will have on their yields. If the heat continues with minimal rainfall, crops will be ready for harvest sooner than normal, similar to the 2021 harvest. Many areas in the province experienced wild weather systems this past week with hail, thunderstorms and even tornados occurring leaving crops, buildings and trees damaged.
Provincially, 74 per cent of the fall cereals, 65 per cent of the spring cereals, 61 per cent of the oilseeds and 74 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. Producers have indicated that cereals are heading out and are hopeful that the head will fill now that moisture is adequate in many areas. Canola is flowering and podding throughout the province.
Several localized storms resulted in some damage from lodging and minor flooding. The Duck Lake area reported 99 mm of rain over only two days while the Earl Grey area received 78 mm over the course of the week.
For many producers in areas that have dealt with dry conditions since the beginning of the growing season, the rain will not improve their crops at this time. However, the moisture will increase their ability for a second cut of hay and will improve their pasture conditions.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as nine per cent surplus, 63 per cent adequate, 24 per cent short and four per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as seven per cent surplus, 60 per cent adequate, 24 per cent short and eight per cent very short.
Haying was slowed for some, due to some rainstorms and high humidity days but overall haying is going well. Livestock producers now have 41 per cent of the hay crop cut and 32 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is currently rated as 24 per cent excellent, 52 per cent good, 24 per cent fair and nine per cent poor.
Hay yields will be reported on next week; however, it is expected that due to dry conditions of the early part of the growing season, hay yields will be lower than average for some producers.
Crop damage this past week was attributed to localized hail, strong winds, lack of moisture, heat, flooding, grasshoppers and gophers. Many producers will be assessing which of their fields are worth the effort and cost of spraying for grasshoppers while fields that are in poor in condition will most likely be cut as greenfeed.
Southeastern Saskatchewan
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
Strong storms that blew through the region is past week left some crops lodged, damaged buildings, bins and machinery and blew some hay swaths across some fields. The region also received rain this past week which will help crops develop their seeds and kernels, but it did cause delays to some producers who were waiting for cut hay to dry down.
Scattered rain showers were received across the region with the Regina, Radville and Grenfell areas seeing the highest concentration of precipitation receiving more than 50 mm. Much of the region experienced anywhere between nil and 30 mm, some areas needed the rain while others are now dealing with low areas flooding again and difficulty entering fields.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 17 per cent surplus, 62 per cent adequate, ten per cent short and eleven per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 16 per cent surplus, 71 per cent adequate, six per cent short and two per cent very short. Due to most of the region having adequate moisture since the beginning of the growing season, many producers report their crops look very good, besides the areas that are flooded out.
Fifty-three per cent of fall cereals, 51 per cent of spring cereals, 54 per cent of oilseeds, and 59 per cent of pulses are rated to be at their normal stages of development for this time of year. The recent heat and humidity have accelerated growth of some crops while excessive moisture has slowed others.
Haying operations continue in between rain showers. Livestock producers currently have 26 per cent of the hay crop cut and 22 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as 37 per cent excellent, 53 per cent good and ten per cent fair.
Most crop damage this past week was due to strong windstorms, lodging, heat and grasshoppers. Producers are busy haying, doing yield assessments, applying pesticides and getting equipment ready for harvest.
Southwestern Saskatchewan
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 in the southwest have suffered through dry conditions all season long and the rain showers that parts of the region are now getting will do little to improve them. This rain will however, maintain the current yield potential. The crops that will benefit most from the rain will be late seeded or reseeded crops that are not as developed, overall crops are ripening faster than normal, and producers are expecting lower than average yields for much of their crop.
A few areas in region received rain this past week. The Limerick area received 55 mm, the Vanguard and Mossbank areas 46 mm while the Leader area received 10 mm. The rain is too late for many annual crops but it might help hay and pasture regrowth.
79 per cent of fall cereals, 70 per cent of spring cereals, 68 of oilseeds and 74 per cent of pulses were rated to be at their normal stages of development. In the extremely dry areas of the region, crops ahead in development and have suffered in terms of yield due to their rapid growth.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 50 per cent adequate, 43 per cent short and six per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 38 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and 22 per cent very short.
Livestock producers currently have 21 per cent of the hay crop cut and 42 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is currently rated as 14 per cent excellent, 36 per cent good, 50 per cent fair and seven per cent poor. Overall, hay yields are much less than normal and many producers do not expect a second cut at this time.
Most crop damage this past week was due to strong winds and lack of moisture. Grasshoppers continue to be of concern and some producers are applying insecticides.
Producers are busy haying, doing yield assessments, applying pesticides and getting equipment ready for harvest.
East-Central Saskatchewan
Crop District 5 – Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville and Kelvington areas;
Crop District 6A – Lumsden, Craik, Watrous and Clavet areas
It was another warm week for many parts of the east central region accompanied by some light rains. This has allowed crops to continue to develop but most producers indicate they are two weeks behind normal. The central part of the region around the Foam Lake areas is beginning to become dry, and producers say they need more rain to carry their crops to harvest.
The region received very little rainfall last week that ranged from nil amounts to 78 mm in the Ituna area. The region needs more rain going forward into August but producers are happy to see some warm dry days which has allowed for better crop growth.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as nine per cent surplus, 80 per cent adequate, 11 per cent short and four per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as seven per cent adequate, 80 per cent short and 13 per cent very short.
Seventy-six per cent of fall cereals, 55 per cent of spring cereals, 51 per cent of oilseeds and 74 per cent of pulses are in their normal stages of development for this time of year. A large percentage of spring cereals and oilseeds are behind, due to delayed seeding dates and excess moisture.
Livestock producers currently have 31 per cent of the hay crop cut and 28 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as 35 per cent excellent, 44 per cent good and 22 per cent fair.
The majority of crop damage this past week was due to hail, strong winds and heat blasting on canola flowers. Grasshoppers continue to be a concern for some producers.
Producers are busy haying, doing yield assessments, applying pesticides and getting equipment ready for harvest.
West-Central Saskatchewan
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 west-central region experienced hot windy days this past week that resulted in more rapid crop growth and many fields are now well ahead in their development, producers are worried this has lowered yield potential of some fields. Pastures are also suffering from the lack of moisture in the region with many producers thinking about the damage pastures have taken and how long cattle can remain on them. Crops such as canola are dropping their flower pedals prematurely due to the heat and dry conditions, while cereals are rapidly heading out. Producers hope it rains soon so yield potential won’t drop further.
There was some highly concentrated precipitation in the Langham area where 84 mm was received but overall, the region received very little rainfall, with the average rainfall being between nil and 10 mm.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 56 per cent adequate, 33 per cent short and eight per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 46 per cent adequate, 43 per cent short and nine per cent very short.
Seventy-five per cent of the fall cereals, 72 per cent of the spring cereals, 68 per cent of oilseeds and 79 per cent of pulses are in their normal stages of development for this time of year. While most of crops are in their normal stages, another week of hot weather will advance their growth rapidly.
Livestock producers currently have 25 per cent of the hay crop cut and 43 per cent baled or put into silage. Haying has been going at a steady pace since there has been very little rainfall to cause delay and the weather is drying down windrows quickly, initial estimates indicate that hay will be in short supply this year. Hay quality is currently rated as eight per cent excellent, 54 per cent good and 38 per cent fair.
Most crop damage this past week was due to strong winds, lack of moisture and hail. Grasshoppers continue to be of concern and some producers are applying insecticides. Producers are only spraying fields that are worth saving and are leaving their poor performing fields to be cut and baled as greenfeed.
Northeastern Saskatchewan
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 in the region are reported to be growing nicely and the recent heat this past week has quickened their growth slightly. Producers are happy they have soil moisture reserves to keep their crop from drying out too much. Most crops are reported to only be about seven days behind normal development. The warm weather made for easy haying.
There were no large rainstorms in the region this past week, however there was still some decent precipitation received, with 35 mm in the Humboldt area. Throughout the region, most areas got between five to 20 mm which was welcomed, but most producers would like to see some warmer but less humid days.
Topsoil moisture is now rated as 13 per cent surplus, 71 per cent adequate and 17 per cent short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as eleven per cent surplus, 61 per cent adequate and 28 per cent short.
Ninety per cent of fall cereals, 70 per cent of spring cereals, 62 per cent of oilseeds and 84 per cent of pulses are rated as being in their normal stages of development. Most crops are growing well, apart from oilseeds, which are rated as being 38 per cent behind in development, this is likely due to excess moisture slowing down growth.
Livestock producers now have 35 per cent of the hay crop cut and 38 put cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is currently rated as 23 per cent excellent, 69 per cent good and eight per cent fair. The drier weather this week has helped producers make good progress with their haying operations.
Most crop damage this past week was due to strong winds that have caused barely and wheat to lodge where the plant stands are heavy. Many producers are spraying fungicide on all their crops to keep fungal diseases under control and to ensure good yields and grain quality.
Northwestern Saskatchewan
Crop District 9AW – Shellbrook, North Battleford, Big River and Hafford areas;
Crop District 9B – Meadow Lake, Turtleford, Pierceland, Maidstone and Lloydminster areas
Another week of hot temperatures has made some crops begin to rapidly advance their development; some canola has experienced heat blasting which will lower yield potential. The temperatures have helped producers with their haying operations and many were able to make great progress.
There wasn’t much rainfall this week across the region but the Duck Lake area did receive 99 mm over the course of the week, resulting in some flooding in that area with low areas collecting and holding water. Crops that are now sitting in water will quickly deteriorate unless the water is absorbed quickly.
Cropland topsoil moisture is now rated as 18 per cent surplus, 52 per cent adequate, 28 per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent surplus, 65 per cent adequate and 29 per cent short and one per cent very short
Livestock producers currently have 30 per cent of the hay crop cut and 25 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as 23 per cent excellent, 69 per cent good and eight per cent fair.
Most crop damage this past week was due to strong winds and heat. Producers are busy haying and spraying fungicides on fields that are experiencing higher risk of fungal disease.
