Saskatchewan producers have 66 percent of the hay crop cut and 38 percent baled or put into silage, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's weekly crop report from July 20 to 26.
The quality of the hay crop is rated as 19 percent excellent, 58 percent good and 10 percent fair. Haying has progressed furthest in the south, where 73 percent of the crop has been cut and 47 percent baled or put into silage. Haying is progressing slowly due to high humidity; however, the relatively clear weather during the past week has allowed producers to make up some of the time lost in previous weeks. Thunderstorms continue in parts of the province, dropping hail and large amounts of rain.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 29 percent surplus, 68 percent adequate and three percent short. Topsoil moisture on hay land and pasture is rated as 18 percent surplus, 77 percent adequate, four percent short and one percent very short.
The warmer weather in the past two weeks has helped advance crops; however, most are still one to two weeks behind normal in development. Eighty-three percent of the winter wheat, 88 percent of the fall rye, 89 percent of the triticale and 79 percent of the peas are in good to excellent condition. Seventy-seven percent of the spring wheat, 83 percent of the durum, 78 percent of the oats, 76 percent of the barley, 80 percent of the flax, 71 percent of the canola, 81 percent of the mustard, 77 percent of the lentils, 78 percent of the canary seed and 97 percent of the chickpeas are in fair to good condition.
The majority of crop damage is being caused by flooding and hail. Wheat midge and grasshoppers are also causing damage.
Pasture conditions are rated as 40 percent excellent, 53 percent good and seven percent fair. Ninety-nine percent of livestock producers have adequate water supplies for their livestock.
Farmers are busy haying, scouting fields and controlling crop diseases and insects.
