Crops rapidly developed due to warm temperatures and dry conditions in many areas across the province this week.
Early-seeded crops are nearing maturity in many areas, and rain likely would not benefit these crops. However, producers in other areas are hoping for rain soon to help with grain fill in later-seeded crops.
While scattered showers brought limited moisture in some regions, most received no precipitation. The Milden area received the most rainfall with 31 millimetres (mm), followed by the Beaver River area with 28 mm and the Invermay area with 20 mm.
Despite the lack of rainfall, topsoil moisture is rated as adequate for over half of the province.
Cropland topsoil moisture is:
• 2 per cent surplus;
• 56 per cent adequate;
• 33 per cent short; and
• 9 per cent very short.
Hayland topsoil moisture is:
• 2 per cent surplus;
• 56 per cent adequate;
• 34 per cent short; and
• 8 per cent very short.
Pasture topsoil moisture is:
• 2 per cent surplus;
• 45 per cent adequate;
• 41 per cent short; and
• 12 per cent very short.
The hot and dry weather conditions have accelerated crop development, with most crops being rated as normal for this time of year.
• 4 per cent of fall cereals are reported as ahead, 86 per cent as normal and 10 per cent behind.
• 7 per cent of spring cereals are reported as ahead, 71 per cent as normal and 22 per cent behind.
• 6 per cent of oilseeds are reported as ahead, 65 per cent as normal and 29 per cent behind.
• 10 per cent of pulse crops are reported as ahead, 77 per cent as normal and 13 per cent behind.
• 2 per cent of perennial forages are reported as ahead, 83 per cent as normal and 15 per cent behind.
• 1 per cent of annual forages are reported as ahead, 78 per cent as normal and 21 per cent behind.
The dry conditions for much of the season in certain areas have led to some producers starting to harvest early-seeded crops and winter cereals. Provincially, harvest is 2 per cent complete with most of this progress occurring in the southwest.
Winter cereals harvested:
• Winter wheat: 7 per cent; and
• Fall rye: 21 per cent.
Spring cereals harvested:
• Triticale: 37 per cent;
• Barley: 1 per cent;
• Spring wheat: 1 per cent; and
• Oats: 2 per cent.
Many pastures are in good to fair condition, but a small portion is rated as in poor condition due to limited precipitation in certain areas. Currently, six per cent of pastures are in excellent condition, 53 per cent are good, 33 per cent are fair, seven per cent are poor, and one per cent is in very poor condition.
Crop damage was reported in areas experiencing hot temperatures paired with dry conditions, with some areas reporting minor to moderate damage. There were also reports of wind, grasshoppers and bertha armyworms causing minor crop damage in certain areas.
As producers prepare for and begin harvest, there will be increased farm equipment traffic on public roadways. Drivers are reminded to have extra patience and caution when encountering large equipment on the road. Additionally, farm equipment operating in dry fields can present a fire risk. Producers are encouraged to take precautions to mitigate fire risk and ensure harvest efforts are conducted safely.
For crop or livestock questions, producers are encouraged to call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre toll free at 1-866-457-2377.
This can be a stressful time of year for producers as weather conditions can be unpredictable. The Farm Stress Line can help by providing support for producers toll free at 1-800-667-4442.
Northeastern Saskatchewan
Similar to most areas across the province, hot, dry conditions were experienced in the region, with a few areas receiving scattered showers.
The Archerwill area received the highest precipitation of 12 millimetres (mm), followed closely by the Melfort area with 11 mm. The Kinistino and Duck Lake areas received 8 mm and 6 mm of rain, respectively, taking a toll on many crops in the northeast, and rain is needed soon to support seed development. Producers are preparing for harvest as some expect to begin in the next couple of weeks.
Despite the hot, dry conditions, topsoil moisture levels remain adequate with a few rated as surplus.
The warm weather has helped advance crop development in the region, with most of the crops reported to be at their normal stage. A notable proportion of crops are also reported to be behind in their development for this time of year.
Crop development for this time of year in the region is rated as follows:
• 75 per cent of fall cereals are reported as normal and 25 per cent behind.
• 1 per cent of spring cereals are reported as ahead, 69 per cent as normal and 30 per cent behind.
• 2 per cent of oilseeds are reported as ahead, 62 per cent as normal and 36 per cent behind.
• 3 per cent of pulse crops are reported as ahead, 72 per cent as normal and 25 per cent behind.
• 80 per cent of perennial forage are reported as normal and 20 per cent behind.
• 82 per cent of annual forage are reported as normal and 18 per cent behind.
Although hot, dry conditions have helped accelerate crop maturity in the region and producers are getting ready for harvest, it will be a while until most crops in the region are ready for harvest. So far, only 1 per cent of barley has been harvested in the region.
Pasture conditions in the region are mostly rated as good. While 5 per cent of pastures are in excellent condition, 72 per cent of pastures are reported to be in good condition, with 23 per cent in fair condition.
Like in most parts of the province, hot, dry weather conditions were reported as the major cause of crop damage in the northeast region. Minor crop damage from aphids was also reported.
Northwestern Saskatchewan
Unlike other regions across the province, several areas in the northwest received at least 10 millimetres (mm) of rain. The Beaver River area received the most with 28 mm, followed by the Meadow Lake area with 18 mm. The Eldon and Meeting Lake areas also received 14 mm and 12 mm of rain respectively.
Topsoil moisture in the region is mostly rated adequate.
While the majority of the crops are reported to be at their normal stage of development, a substantial amount, particularly in the fall cereals, are reported to be behind their development for this time of year.
Crop development for this time of year in the region is rated as follows:
• 25 per cent of fall cereals are reported as normal and 75 per cent behind.
• 4 per cent of spring cereals are reported as ahead, 64 per cent as normal and 32 per cent behind.
• 4 per cent of oilseeds are reported as ahead, 57 per cent as normal and 39 per cent behind.
• 6 per cent of pulse crops are reported as ahead, 68 per cent as normal and 26 per cent behind.
• 82 per cent of perennial forage are reported as normal and 18 per cent behind.
• 2 per cent of annual forage are reported as ahead, 72 per cent as normal and 26 per cent behind.
Most crops are still developing and are not ready to be harvested. The recent hot, dry weather conditions will be helpful in accelerating crop development and maturity in the region.
Pasture conditions are mostly fair to good, with a notable proportion reported to be in excellent condition. 11 per cent of pastures are reported to be in excellent condition, 70 per cent are in good condition, 18 per cent are fair, and one per cent are in poor condition.
Major crop damage in the region was caused by hot weather, wind and gopher. Bertha armyworms were also reported to cause minor crop damage in some areas in the region.
