SASKATCHEWAN AGRICULTURE CROP REPORT — Where rain was received this past week, crops have continued with normal development, while in areas in the west central region that remain very dry the crops have begun to go backwards in development and condition.
Crops in areas that have received semi-regular rain showers are faring much better and some producers are expecting a better crop compared to last year. Some grain producers in the southwest and west-central regions have begun desiccating some of their pulse crops to get them ready for combining as the heat and dry conditions have shortened the growing season.
Rainfall varied this past week, ranging from none in many areas to 69 mm in areas around Bienfait. The Lipton area received 51 mm, the Duck Lake area 32.5 mm and the Kindersley, Eyebrow and Vanguard areas received 22 mm.
The hot weather across the province last week has caused a slight decline in topsoil moisture, with the highest concentration of dry soils being in the western half of the province. For this past week, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent surplus, 63 per cent adequate, 26 per cent short and six per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 62 per cent adequate, 26 per cent short and 10 per cent very short.
Due to a break in the extreme heat and some timely rains, crop conditions are largely rated as fair to good. Some areas of the province have large portions of crops rated as excellent with the highest ratings being seen in cereals.
Some adverse weather has made haying difficult for some producers and has resulted in lower quality hay than some were expecting. However, haying operations are now at 24 per cent standing, 24 per cent cut and 52 per cent baled or silage. Hay quality is rated as 19 per cent excellent, 62 per cent good, 18 per cent fair and one per cent poor. Hay yields for dry land hay range from 1.06 tons/ac to 1.84 tons/ac; for irrigated hay, the yields range from 2.16 tons/ac to 2.97 tons/ac. Some producers are able to replenish their feed stocks from last year while others are still worried about going into the winter short on feed.
Strong winds, drought stress, hail, heat, grasshoppers and crop disease were the main issues of concern. Many producers are still actively spraying fungicides to protect their crops from fungal diseases as they continue to get rain followed by hot days that create ideal conditions for pathogens. The most common diseases being reported are anthracnose, ascochyta and root rot on pulse crops like lentils and field peas, and some cereals are being pressured from fusarium and rust (stem, leaf or stripe).
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
Parts of the southeast had excellent growing conditions that saw crops bounce back from heat stress in previous weeks. Other parts of the region got more rain this week which led to delays in haying and crop development. Hot dry weather is needed in wetter areas to ensure crops are mature enough at harvest time.
Even with delays, livestock producers now have 43 per cent of the hay baled or put into silage with an additional 23 per cent cut and ready to be baled. Hay quality is rated as 29 per cent excellent, 63 per cent good and eight per cent poor. Producers in the region have indicated that their hay yields and pasture carrying capacity is higher than previous years thanks to almost weekly rains across the region throughout this growing season.
Rainfall varied throughout the region this week, with areas around Weyburn receiving the most rain in the province at 70 mm. The Bienfait area received 69 mm, the Carnduff area 58 mm and the Kisbey area 47 mm. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 17 per cent surplus, 78 per cent adequate, four per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 89 per cent adequate, three per cent short and two per cent very short.
Crop conditions vary within the region, but the majority of crops are in fair-to-excellent condition. Many cereal crops in the region make up the largest portion of crops rated as excellent, followed by canola and pulse crops. While crops look good in the region, they are still 7-10 days behind normal due to late seeding dates.
Most of the crop damage this past week was due to excess moisture, strong winds, localized hail as well as damage caused by grasshoppers and crop diseases. Farmers are busy finishing up haying, conducting yield assessments and getting their harvest plans sorted out.
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
It was another relatively dry week in the southwest, but those who did get some precipitation have reported it was enough to relieve their crops from drought stress and maintain their current yield potential. The rainfall was also very good for livestock in the region who have suffered through the heat and dry conditions all season long. Crops in the region are starting to become ready for harvest and some producers have begun applying desiccants to pulse crops to prepare them for combining.
Livestock producers are almost done their haying operations with 58 per cent of the hay crop now baled or put into silage with an additional 21 per cent cut and waiting to be baled. Hay quality is rated as 12 per cent excellent, 44 per cent good and 44 per cent fair. Hay yields across the region are far lower than the regional and provincial averages.
The Moose Jaw area received the most precipitation this week with 33 mm. The Eyebrow and Vanguard areas received 22 mm and the Kyle area 10 mm. For many of the crops in the region the rain is either too little or too late to make any difference to yield, while in areas where more consistent moisture has been received crops appear to be preforming better than last year. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 43 per cent adequate, 46 per cent short and 11 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 34 per cent adequate, 43 per cent short and 23 per cent very short.
The majority of crops in the southwest region are in very poor-to-fair condition with very little being rated as excellent. The region did not receive rain at crucial times during the growing season and that has left the crops thin and stunted. Some producers in the region have begun to harvest pulse crops such as lentils.
Most of the crop damage this past week was due to drought stress, strong winds, heat and some minor localized hail. Farmers are busy finishing up haying, conducting yield assessments, harvesting or getting equipment and bins 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
Rain showers have left some crops drowned out in the region and producers hope it dries up soon so that their crops don’t suffer too long. The rain will also slow crop development and it is estimated that crops in the region are still 7-10 days behind their normal development.
Livestock producers across the region have struggled to make good progress with their haying operations due to rainy days, but despite delays, they have 51 per cent of the hay crop has been baled or put into silage with another 24 per cent cut and waiting to be baled or put into silage. Hay quality is currently rated as 24 per cent excellent, 64 per cent good, nine per cent fair and three per cent poor.
Rainfall in the region ranged from nil to 58 mm in the Earl Grey area. The Lipton area received 51 mm and the Calder, Wynyard and Kenaston areas 22 mm. The rain will help cereals fill their heads and help canola and pulse crops fill their pods going into August as we near the beginning of harvest.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 75 per cent adequate, 17 per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 76 per cent adequate, 14 per cent short and six per cent very short.
The majority of the crop in the region is rated as being in fair to good condition, the poorer rated crops are struggling through the cool rainy weather that the region has had since the beginning of the growing season.
Most of the crop damage this past week was due to excess moisture, wind, minor hail, grasshoppers, crop pests and disease. There is a rising amount of pea aphids, bertha army worm, diamond back moths and wheat midge appearing in crops, producers are trying to act quickly to keep damage from these pests to a minimum.
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, Unity, Wilkie and Biggar areas
Another dry week for the majority of the region has caused some setbacks for crops. Canola experienced heat blasting and all crops have started to go backwards. More rain will be needed to ensure crops can hold on till usual harvest time, a large jump in development will result in poorer yields than producers would like. Some producers will be getting their harvest operations underway soon as they begin to apply desiccants to their fields.
The dry weather has allowed haying progress to advance in the region with 58 per cent of the hay crop now baled or put into silage with a remaining 27 per cent that is cut and waiting to be baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as five per cent excellent, 67 per cent good and 29 per cent fair. Hay yield is much lower than average for the region and many producers are worried about winter feed supplies, many have indicated they will be buying hay now to secure their inventory before the fall.
Minimal rainfall was reported in many areas of the west-central region this past week with the Kindersley area receiving the most at 22 mm. The Wilkie area received 18 mm, and the Outlook and Rosthern areas 10 mm. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 49 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and 12 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 38 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and 14 per cent very short.
The majority of crops in the west-central region are in very poor-to-good condition. Some producers are beginning harvest operations by starting desiccate pulse crops such as lentils and field peas.
Most of the crop damage this past week was due to drought, wind, heat and grasshoppers. Grasshoppers are so abundant throughout all crops, hayland and pastures that producers are already nervous about next year’s population if conditions continue to favour grasshopper development.
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
After another dry hot week and producers are hoping for some rain so that their crops don’t start to show a reduction in yield potential. However, crops generally look good in the region despite beginning to show signs of stress.
The hot dry week helped haying operations and livestock producers currently have 60 per cent of the hay baled or put into silage. An additional 27 per cent is cut and ready for baling. Hay quality is currently rated as 23 per cent excellent and 77 per cent good.
Very little precipitation was received this week in the region, with the most being recorded in the Humboldt area with 17 mm. The Melfort area received 15 mm, the Arborfield area 14 mm and the Lake Lenore area 10 mm. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as, one per cent surplus, 80 per cent adequate and 19 per cent short. Hay and pasture land is rated as three per cent surplus, 69 per cent adequate, 26 per cent short and two per cent very short.
The majority of crops are in fair-to-excellent condition. Crops across the region generally look good but as hot days continue and moisture becomes sparse, crops have experienced yield reducing stress such as heat blasting of flower petals.
Most of the crop damage this past week was from heat, insects, disease and wind; which has left many crops lodged across the region, making harvest difficult
Northwestern Saskatchewan
Crop District 9AW – Shellbrook, North Battleford, Big River and Hafford areas;
Crop District 9B – Meadow Lake, Turtleford, Pierceland, Maidstone and Lloydminster areas
Light showers this past week did little to combat the hot windy days that crops had to suffer through across the region. Crops in areas that received rain earlier in the season look much better than those that didn’t, but without more rain soon their yield potential will begin to decline in the coming weeks.
Haying has been progressing well in the region and livestock producers currently have 54 per cent of the hay baled or put into silage. An additional 26 per cent is cut and ready for baling. Hay quality is currently rated as 14 per cent excellent, 64 per cent good and 21 per cent fair.
Very little of the northwest received rain this week with most areas of the region receiving less than 10 mm. However, the Duckland area received 32 mm, the Prince Albert area 20 mm, the Turtleford area 18 mm and the Hafford area 12 mm. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 70 per cent adequate, 27 per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay and pasture land is rated as 69 per cent adequate, 28 per cent short and three per cent very short.
Most of the crop damage this past week was due to heat stress, hail, insects and disease. Several windstorms left crops lodged resulting in lower yields and a more difficult harvest. Field peas are struggling with root rot in wetter more humid areas of the region, producers have been actively applying fungicides to keep other diseases to a minimum.
This story has been updated with the correct West-Central results.
