Ministry of Agriculture
Submitted
The continued heat and lack of moisture has accelerated crop advancement throughout the province. With the current conditions crops throughout many regions are stressed, causing yield potential to further decline this week. Producers are hoping for moisture to help with head and pod filling on later seeded crops but for many advanced crops, any moisture received would have little impact on yield at this stage. Additionally, it is unlikely that a second cut of hay will be possible in most areas of the province due to the lack of moisture.
In the southern parts of the province, pulses are being desiccated with many just starting to be harvested. Cereals are also being harvested for feed in the southern region. Producers indicate there will likely be an increase in the amount of cereal crops that are harvested for feed given the concerns over yield potential under the current conditions. Many other areas of the province are preparing for harvest operations as the hot and dry conditions continue to quickly ripen crops.
Hot temperatures and lack of moisture persisted this week with many areas across the province receiving only trace amounts of rainfall or none at all. The highest rainfall recorded fell in the Hafford area at 15 mm, followed by the St. Walburg area at 14 mm. The Aneroid area received 11 mm over the past week.
Topsoil moisture continued to decline this week. Provincially, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 41 per cent adequate, 49 per cent short and 10 per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at 40 per cent adequate, 49 per cent short and 11 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 37 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and 16 per cent very short.
Pastures are starting to be impacted by the lack of rainfall. Currently, four per cent of pastures are rated as excellent condition, 37 per cent good, 42 per cent fair, 15 per cent poor and two per cent as very poor condition.
Lack of moisture, heat, lodging due to wind, grasshoppers and aphids continued to take a toll on crops over the past week. If producers are taking control measures for pests, they are reminded to read product labels and follow pre-harvest intervals as crops are quickly advancing throughout the province. More information is available in the Guide to Crop Protection.
As producers prepare for harvest, they are reminded to take safety precautions and preventative fire measures when they can. The Farm Stress Line is available to provide support to producers toll free at 1-800-667-4442.
Northeastern Saskatchewan
With the higher temperatures and drier conditions accelerating crop advancement, producers are preparing harvest equipment. No harvest activity has been reported for the region. Haying operations continue but producers indicate that a second cut is unlikely due to the lack of moisture. Minimal rain was received over the past week with five mm being the most recorded in the Nipawin area. The Carrot River, Hague and Duck Lake areas all received three mm. The majority of the region received smaller amounts to no rainfall over the past week. Topsoil moisture continues to decrease with the persistent hot and dry conditions. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 55 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short
and one per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at 55 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and one per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 54 per cent adequate, 45 per cent short and one per cent very short. The continued lack of moisture and high temperatures are impacting pastures within the region. Currently, five per cent of pastures are rated as in excellent condition, 43 per cent are good, 42 per cent are fair and 10 per cent are in poor condition.Crop damage over the past week was mainly due to the lack of moisture and heat. Wind has also caused lodging in some crops throughout the region, but overall minor damage was reported. Moderate damage has also been reported from aphids in a few areas within the region.
Northwestern Saskatchewan
With the higher temperatures and drier conditions accelerating crop advancement, producers are preparing harvest equipment. No harvest activity has been reported for the region. Haying is nearing completion with no second cut anticipated due to the lack of moisture. Rainfall was variable within the region with the Hafford area receiving the highest amount at 15 mm. The St. Walburg area received 14 mm followed by the North Battleford area at nine mm. Most other areas within the region received rain but in smaller amounts over the past week. Topsoil moisture continues to be impacted by the persistent hot and dry conditions. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 50 per cent adequate, 43 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at 41 per cent adequate, 50 per cent short and nine per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 51 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and 10 per cent very short. Pastures are being impacted within the region by the continued lack of moisture and high temperatures. Currently, two per cent of pastures are rated as in excellent condition, 47 per cent good, 32 per cent fair and 19 per cent poor condition.Heat and lack of moisture are the main causes of crop damage over the past week. Wind has also caused lodging in some crops throughout the region with up to moderate damage reported. Grasshopper and aphid damage were reported in a few areas within the region over the past week but overall with minor crop damage occurring.
