Warm weather and rainfall this week continued to support crop development. Currently, 86 per cent of the fall cereals, 75 per cent of the spring cereals, 70 per cent of the oilseed crops and 82 per cent of the pulse crops are at a normal stage of development for this time of year.
The majority of crops this week are in fair to excellent condition. Rainfall was received throughout the province this week. Areas near Neilburg received the highest amount of rainfall in the province with 116 mm.
The St. Walburg area received the most rainfall in the province since April 1 with 376 mm. The moisture was welcome in many areas, but high amounts of rain in certain parts of the west-central and northern regions resulted in localized flooding and standing water. This prevented producers from entering fields for spraying and haying.
Crop District 5 – Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville and Kelvington areas; for the period July 7 to 13
The majority of the crops in the east-central region are in fair to good condition. Seventy-seven per cent of the fall cereals, 69 per cent of the spring cereals, 64 per cent of the oilseeds and 85 per cent of the pulse crops are at a normal stage of development for this time of year. While some areas have delayed development due to cool conditions, most of the crops in the region look good.
Rainfall in the east-central region ranged from zero to 41 mm in the Kenaston area. The Allan area received eight mm, the Lipton area 22 mm, the Rama area 26 mm, the Kuroki area 27 mm, the Esterhazy area 29 mm and the Bulyea area 34 mm.
Recent rains have improved moisture conditions in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 86 per cent adequate, 11 per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 73 per cent adequate and 27 per cent short.
Livestock producers have cut 13 per cent of the hay crop and two per cent is baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as five per cent excellent, 68 per cent good, 18 per cent fair and nine per cent poor.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to localized flooding and hail, as well as wind and dry conditions.
Farmers are busy haying, hauling grain, scouting for insects and disease and applying fungicides as necessary.
Overall in the province, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 85 per cent adequate, six per cent short and three per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 75 per cent adequate, 16 per cent short and five per cent very short. Rainfall this week delayed some farmers from haying, but hay is being cut and baled as conditions allow.
Livestock producers now have 13 per cent of the hay crop cut and 11 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as five per cent excellent, 65 per cent good, 25 per cent fair and five per cent poor.
The majority of crop damage this week was caused by flooding, hail, wind, lack of moisture, lodging, gophers and insects. There have been reports of disease issues in most regions of the province, including root rot and ascochyta blight in pulses. Some producers have started spraying for fusarium head blight and other diseases as environmental conditions permit.
Farmers are busy haying, spraying fungicides, fixing equipment and scouting for insects and disease.
A complete, printable version of the Crop Report is available online at www.saskatchewan.ca/crop-report.
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