BATTLEFORDS - Producers in the northwest are happy they received rain this past week to help with grain fill, according to the crop report for the period of July 25 to 31. As warm temperatures persist, crops are maturing and beginning to ripen.
The region had some significant moisture this past week with 47 mm was received in the Shellbrook area. Other areas received as little as trace amounts.
The warm and dry conditions persisted despite the rain and caused a decrease in topsoil moisture. Twenty-four per cent of cropland has adequate topsoil moisture, 60 per cent is short and 16 per cent is very short. Similarly, 21 per cent of hay and pasture land has adequate moisture, 57 per cent is short and 22 per cent is very short.
Pastures in the northwest are generally in poor condition. Eleven per cent of pastures are in good condition, 34 per cent are fair, 46 per cent are poor and nine per cent are in very poor condition. Producers are finishing their haying operations and are beginning to cut green feed.
Crop damage this past week is due to dry conditions and insect damage from lygus bugs and grasshoppers. Producers are busy with haying, desiccating and preparing machinery and bins for harvest.
