Ministry of Agriculture
Submitted
Another hot, dry week has many producers worried about their crops especially in the southern and western portions of the province. Multiple extremely hot days during the critical flowering stage of many crops has likely lowered yield potential in some areas. Producers are hopeful they will receive rain soon to aid with seed filling as harvest is fast approaching. There are a few reports that crops in the driest areas of the province, mostly early seeded pulses and cereals, are close to being ready for harvest.
The persistent high temperatures and insignificant rainfall continue to push topsoil moisture backwards in the province. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 50 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and 10 per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is rated as 45 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 13 per cent very short. Lastly, pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 36 per cent adequate, 45 per cent short and 19 per cent very short Livestock producers would like to see rain soon to ensure their pastures can support their animals through the end of the growing season.
Minor rainfall was received throughout the province this past week. These rains were too small to give crops a large break from the heat stress. The Macklin area reported the most rain this week with 20 mm, followed by the Shaunavon area with 17 mm. There were a handful of areas that received less than 10 mm of rain over the past week; however, this will do very little for crops growing through the current heat wave.
The continued heat wave has pushed crop conditions to deteriorate quickly, but thankfully, producers are reporting conditions are better than this time compared to recent growing seasons. However, if the heat persists crops will continue to decline and yield potential will fall. Most crops are rated fair to good with the lowest rated crops coming from the southwest, west central and parts of the southeast where conditions are driest.
Haying operations are almost complete with 18 per cent standing, 27 per cent cut and 55 per cent baled or put up as silage. Hay quality is rated as 25 per cent excellent, 65 per cent good, nine per cent fair and one per cent poor. A second cut of hay is not likely unless a substantial amount of rain is received soon to allow for adequate regrowth. In many areas haying has been slowed due to the extreme heat and the concern over baler fires.
The heat, dry conditions, gophers, grasshoppers and aphids were the most reported sources of crop damage this week. Canola is especially sensitive to heat blasting while flowering and producers are concerned about how their crops will fair during this period. Cereals also appear to have been significantly affected by the extreme heat. Fungicide applications are wrapping up as crops grow past the optimum application timing, though producers will still be trying to control pests such as grasshoppers and aphids up until harvest. Producers whose crops are furthest along are beginning to get their equipment ready and they are reminded to be safe during their harvest operations. Please remember to use every precaution available for fire prevention as the extremely dry conditions increase the risk of combine and grass fires.
Northeastern Saskatchewan
The region continues to experience hot and dry conditions which has quickened crop development but overall, the crops in the region have fared quite well in the heat compared to other areas of the province. Heavy precipitation earlier in the season which resulted in excess soil moisture is the saving factor for crops in the region.
Very little rainfall was received in the region this week and the hot dry weather allowed for topsoil moisture ratings to decline. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 71 per cent adequate and 29 per cent short. Hayland is rated as one per cent surplus, 69 per cent adequate and 30 per cent short. Pasture topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 68 per cent adequate and 31 per cent short. Crops are holding on, but more rain is needed to ensure minimal damage from the heat and to aid in seed fill.
Crop conditions in the region are rated from fair to good, with the largest percentage being good. Some parts of the region have fared better than others; these areas received a high amount of precipitation early in the season and this reserve has allowed crops to survive the heat. In the drier areas however, producers are hoping for rain soon so they do not see their crops deteriorate further.
Haying operations are mostly wrapped up with 29 per cent of the crop cut and 55 per cent baled or up as silage. The quality of hay remains high with 28 per cent rated as excellent, 54 per cent good, 14 per cent fair and four per cent poor.
Where disease was observed, producers have applied fungicides to suppress disease and proactively control it; they will be monitoring these fields closely. There are still minor reports of flooding damage where standing water remains in fields, minor reports of wind were also reported to have caused lodging in cereal crops. Heat and lack of moisture have been reported as minor to moderate in the region.
Northwestern Saskatchewan
The region continues to experience hot and dry conditions which has quickened crop development and resulted in deteriorating crop conditions, especially in areas where lower amounts of precipitation have been received. Producers are hoping for rain soon to help lessen the impact of the heat on their crop yields, aid hayland regrowth and improve their pasture lands currently supporting livestock.
Very little rainfall was received in the region this week and the hot dry weather allowed for topsoil moisture ratings to decline. The rain reported was 7 mm in the Hafford area and 3 mm in the Mayfair area. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 48 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and eight per cent very short. Hayland is rated as 42 per cent adequate, 45 per cent short and 13 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 39 per cent adequate, 48 per cent short and 13 per cent very short. Crops are experiencing a lot of stress from the heat, especially canola which has been reported to be dropping petals due to heat blasting.
Crop conditions in the region are rated from fair to good; without a break from the heat and a decent rain soon their condition will rapidly decline. Already producers are noting a reduction in potential yield due to heat blasting of flower petals. Pastures are also being observed as rapidly declining which has caused some concern for livestock producers in the region.
Haying operations are progressing nicely with 18 per cent of the hay crop cut and 67 per cent of it baled or put up as silage. The high humidity and smoke have slowed down drying of cut hay, but producers are not overly worried yet. Hay quality is very promising with 47 per cent being excellent, 50 per cent good and three per cent fair.
The largest cause of crop damage in the region is heat and lack of moisture which continues to lower the yield potential of all crops. Wind has also caused the lodging of cereal crops but is only reported as minor for the past week.
