MOOSE JAW — What meteorologists term “a back to normal June’’ with lots of rain, wind and cool days has farmers concerned.
The wet cool weather retards crop development and has already ensured an extended harvest season.
Drier and warmer weather in the coming weeks will support crop advancement and haying, says the weekly crop report from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture.
Rain in the week ending on Canada Day was variable from little or none to overwhelming amounts like six inches in Ituna, five in Rosetown and four in Biggar.
In this region, Avonlea had 1.5 inches, Limerick had about three inches and Moose Jaw had 1.7 inches.
The department weekly rainfall map indicates the Moose Jaw region and the southwest received between seven and eight inches of rain since April 1
The exception is the Assiniboa-Gravelbourg-Mossbank area where rain has ranged between eight and 12 inches.
The rains have improved soil moisture with 14 per cent of cropland in excess moisture, 80 per cent adequate and six per cent short.
Hay land is nine per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate and seven per cent short.
Pastures look great with five per cent surplus moisture, 84 per cent adequate and 11 per cent short.
Crop development ranges from canola in full bloom to canola looking like little cabbages emerging from the soil.
Only 11 per cent of canola was in the flowering stage by July 1.
Thirty-three per cent of spring wheat was in the seedling stage with six per cent heading.
Six per cent of pulse crops were in seedling stage with 23 per cent flowering.
One benefit from cool weather: grasshoppers hatching has slowed down and less flea beetle concerns have been reported.
