REGINA — Crops are continuing to progress throughout the province thanks to warm temperatures and rainfall in many areas. Areas that continue to receive excess rain are hoping for warm, dry conditions to help crops develop. Parts of the southwest and west central regions received rain this week, but much more is required to support crop and hay growth.
Provincially, 64 per cent of the fall cereals, 58 per cent of the spring cereals, 51 per cent of the oilseed crops and 72 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. Many crops are currently behind their normal stage of development due to excess moisture. The majority of crops this week are in fair to good condition. Producers noted that some crops won’t recover due to dry conditions in some areas and being drowned out in others. Those in areas that received adequate rainfall and temperatures throughout the season say their crops are in excellent condition.
Topsoil moisture has remained relatively stable compared to last week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 69 per cent adequate, 23 per cent short and four per cent very poor. Hay and pasture land is rated as five per cent surplus, 68 per cent adequate, 22 per cent short and five per cent very short.
There was scattered rain and thunderstorms throughout much of the province this week, with multiple areas receiving hail. Rainfall this past week ranged from nil to 89 mm in the Bienfait area.
Rain and humid conditions in some areas have slowed haying operations, but haying has started or will start soon throughout the province. Livestock producers now have 16 per cent of the hay crop cut while eight per cent has been baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as 19 per cent excellent, 62 per cent good, 17 per cent fair and two per cent poor.
Crop damage this past week was due to extremely dry conditions, grasshoppers, gophers, flooding, strong winds, hail and lodging. Many producers are applying fungicides and are haying as conditions allow.
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
It was a hot, humid week in much of the southeast region, with the heat helping crops to develop. Many of the crops are behind their normal development stage and producers are hoping for warm, dry weather to aid crop development and allow for hay operations to resume.
Excess rain has slowed crop development and resulted in losses from drowned out low spots. However the adequate moisture has also helped support crop growth and potential yield. 29 per cent of fall cereals, 48 per cent of spring cereals, 52 per cent of oilseeds and 44 per cent of pulse crops are behind their normal stages of development. Most of the crops in the region are rated as fair to excellent.
Much of the region received rain this past week. Some areas received isolated heavy rains that resulted in flooding as well as hail. While most of the southeast is hoping for warm, dry conditions, areas of the western part of the region are dry and need more rain. Rainfall ranged from none in some areas to 89 mm in the Bienfait area. The Marquis and Avonlea areas received two mm of rain, the Wilcox area nine mm, the Moosomin area 10 mm, the Kisbey area 13 mm, the Frobisher area 30 mm and the Broadview area 37 mm.
Topsoil moisture levels are similar to the previous week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as seven per cent surplus, 83 per cent adequate, eight per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 89 per cent adequate, four per cent short and three per cent very short. Crop district 2B is reporting 33 per cent of cropland topsoil moisture and 38 per cent of hay and pasture land as short or very short. Crop district 1B is reporting 17 per cent of cropland topsoil moisture and 12 per cent of hay and pasture land as surplus.
The humid, wet conditions have delayed haying for many. Some producers are just starting while others are continuing as weather conditions allow. Livestock producers now have 12 per cent of the hay crop cut and six per cent has been baled or put into silage. Hay quality at this time is rated as 25 per cent excellent, 70 per cent good and five per cent poor.
Most crop damage this past week was due to localized flooding and hail, strong winds, lack of moisture, grasshoppers, gophers and waterfowl. Producers are spraying fungicides and cutting and baling hay as conditions allow.
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
Dry conditions continue to affect crop, hay and pasture growth in the region. Some areas received timely rainfall which have helped with crop development, but the continued dry conditions have caused some crops to prematurely ripen and has impacted yield potential. While recent rain has helped, more is needed to combat the wind and heat.
Most of the crops in the region are rated as fair to good. 82 per cent of fall cereals, 75 per cent of spring cereals, 81 per cent of oilseeds and 82 per cent of pulse crops are rated as being in their normal stage of development.
Rainfall last week ranged from none to 49 mm in the Big Beaver area. The Consul and Leader areas received one mm of rain, the Gravelbourg area eight mm, Cabri area 12 mm, the Limerick and Vanguard areas 14 mm and the Kyle area 30 mm.
Topsoil moisture conditions have deteriorated in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 48 per cent adequate, 45 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 47 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and 12 per cent very short.
Haying operations are continuing in the region. Hay yields are well below average and many producers stated they have limited or only patchy areas of hay to cut. Livestock producers now have 16 per cent of the hay crop cut and nine per cent is baled or put into silage. Hay quality at this time is rated as 10 per cent excellent, 50 per cent good, 35 per cent fair and five per cent poor.
The majority of crop damage this past week was due to drought, strong winds, grasshoppers and gophers. Producers are busy haying, spraying for grasshoppers and in some areas disease.
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
While warmer weather this past week has helped crops to progress, much of the crop in the region is behind their normal stage of development. Despite excess rain causing flooding and drowning out of low spots, crops look good overall. The western part of the region received rain this week which has helped improve the dry conditions but some areas still require more.
Crops in the region are rated as fair to excellent. 47 per cent of the fall cereals, 56 per cent of the spring cereals, 62 per cent of the oilseed and 36 per cent of the pulse crops are behind their normal stage of development. Warm and dry conditions in some areas have allowed some crops to catch up but are still required to continue to facilitate crop growth.
While the western part of the region received wanted rain, other areas have reported quick, heavy rains and hail which have caused flooding and lodging. Rainfall in the region ranged from nothing to 39 mm in the Earl Grey area. The Craik area received two mm, the Wadena area 12 mm, the Allan area 16 mm, and the Saltcoats and Kelliher areas 20 mm.
Topsoil moisture conditions have remained stable in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 10 per cent surplus, 71 per cent adequate and 19 per cent short. Hay and pasture land is rated as nine per cent surplus, 69 per cent adequate, 20 per cent short, and two per cent very short. Crop district 5A is reporting that 28 per cent of cropland and 24 per cent of hay and pasture land has surplus topsoil moisture. Crop district 6A is reporting that 32 per cent of cropland and 42 per cent of hay and pasture land has short or very short topsoil moisture.
Many producers in the region are starting haying operations as conditions allow. The rain has supported good hay growth and many producers are happy with its condition. Livestock producers now have 22 per cent of the hay crop cut and 13 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as 31 per cent excellent, 59 per cent good and 10 per cent fair.
The majority of crop damage this week was caused by localized flooding, hail, dry conditions and strong winds. Like other parts of the province, gophers and grasshoppers continue to be damaging crops and hay and pasture lands. Producers are busy haying and spraying fungicides.
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 region received localized rains throughout this past week. While some crops are behind their normal stage of development for this time of year, the crops in areas that received rain and warm weather have had good development. The region is still very dry and more rain is required to support crop, hay and pasture growth.
Most of the crops in the west-central region are rated as in fair to good condition. 86 per cent of fall cereals, 67 per cent of spring cereals, 64 per cent of oilseeds and 77 per cent of pulse crop are rated as being in their normal stages of development. Hot and dry conditions have resulted in pre-mature ripening for some crops in the region.
While much of the west-central region received rainfall this week, most of it was spotty and producers in most areas want more. The Sonningdale area received two mm of rain, the Conquest and Kerrobert areas nine mm, the Langham area 18 mm, the Netherhill area 35 mm and the Smiley area 53 mm.
While some areas received adequate amounts of rain, continued hot and dry conditions have decreased topsoil moisture conditions. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 56 per cent adequate, 33 per cent short and 10 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 46 per cent adequate, 46 per cent short and eight per cent very short. Crop district 7B is reporting that 61 per cent of cropland and 71 per cent of hay and pasture land are short and very short for topsoil moisture.
Delayed growth has slowed haying operations. Timely rains in part of the region have helped with hay and pasture growth but many producers have noted that growth is patchy and yields are below average. Some producers are hauling water for their livestock. Livestock producers now have 20 per cent of the hay crop cut and 13 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as nine per cent excellent, 50 per cent good and 41 per cent fair.
Most of the crop damage this past week were caused by drought and heat stress, along with localized hail. In areas that received rain, producers are busy spraying fungicides and are also continuing to control grasshoppers.
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
While cool conditions earlier in the growing season had delayed haying and crop development, the recent hot weather has helped some crops progress. Moisture conditions vary throughout the region — with adequate moisture available in many areas, but some areas needing more moisture — especially with recent hot temperatures.
87 per cent of fall cereals, 49 per cent of spring cereals, 38 per cent of oilseeds and 61 per cent of pulse crops are at their normal stage of development for this time of year, with much of the remaining per cent being behind. Most of the crops in the northeast region are rated as good to excellent.
While the region has adequate moisture overall to support crop growth, many were happy to see rain paired with warm temperatures to further progress crop development. Most of the northeast received some rain this past week. The Hudson Bay area received 10 mm of rain, the Garrick area 14 mm, the Nipawin area 30 mm, the Bruno area 36 mm and the Kinistino area 53 mm.
Topsoil moisture conditions in the region have remained relatively stable compared to the previous week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 92 per cent adequate and six per cent short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 91 per cent adequate and eight per cent short.
Haying operations are beginning or continuing in the region. Fifteen per cent of the hay crop has been cut and nine per cent has been baled or put into silage. Similar to crops, early cool conditions had slowed hay development but the good growing conditions this week have helped development progress. Hay quality is currently rated as 23 per cent excellent and 77 per cent good.
Most of the damage in the region was caused by strong winds. Producers are scouting for disease and applying fungicides both on the ground and aerially.
Northwestern Saskatchewan
Crop District 9AW – Shellbrook, North Battleford, Big River and Hafford areas;
Crop District 9B – Meadow Lake, Turtleford, Pierceland, Maidstone and Lloydminster areas
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.
One Year Ago
Crops were rapidly advancing across the province due to a long stretch of hot weather and very little precipitation. Haying was almost halfway complete; hay yields were reported to be lower than average due to the heat. Pasture conditions were reported to be declining due to the heat and drought. Livestock producers were beginning to worry about winter feed supplies.
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