Crops across the province are developing normally, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Weekly Crop Report. Fifty-one per cent of fall cereals, 69 per cent of oilseeds and 70 per cent of spring cereals and pulses are at their normal developmental stages for this time of year.
Significant amounts of rain fell on much of the province over the weekend and into the week. Amounts vary, but many areas of the province received at least 50 mm of rain over a short period of time. Some eastern and southern areas received well over 100 mm of rain in a matter of hours.
Crops in the hardest hit areas have been affected by localized flooding, lodging and saturated fields; however, the majority of crops outside the flooded areas are in good-to-excellent condition. Aside from problems caused by excess moisture, the majority of this week’s crop damage has been caused by hail, wind and diseases such as leaf spot and root rot.
Provincially, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 33 per cent surplus, 66 per cent adequate and one per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 18 per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate and two per cent short. Warm and dry weather is needed soon to help dry up the excess moisture.
Little haying progress was made this past week due to wet fields and high humidity. Saskatchewan livestock producers now have 19 per cent of the hay crop cut and 20 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as nine per cent excellent, 70 per cent good, 18 per cent fair and three per cent poor.
Farmers are busy with haying operations and controlling diseases as necessary.
Follow the 2016 Crop Report on Twitter at @SKAgriculture.
