Crops advance but yield down in hot, dry south Sask.

Another week, another forecast of hot, dry weather for southern Saskatchewan.

This comes as bad news for many farmers in the area who are in desperate need of rain.

Rain and storms were forecasted last week for parts of the region, only to produce nothing. Meanwhile, other farmers who did need rain, got some – as well as others who received more than they bargained for with severe weather rolling through the province, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

“Unfortunately, along with (rain) also came some hail. So while farmers may benefit from the rain, certainly we have had some damage, as well,” said Shannon Friesen with the Ministry of Agriculture Monday.

Friesen said long, slow rain is needed.

“When we get these nice, hard rains where a lot comes down in a very short amount of time, a lot of that rain does kind of run off,” Friesen explained.

“I think what we would all like to see is certainly a very nice rain for a couple of days.”

Friesen noted, for the most part, crops are advancing very quickly in the south with combining already underway.

“Quality’s not too bad at the moment, but what is really hitting us is the yield.”

Friesen said she’s heard reports of peas and lentils producing only five bushels per acre, significantly less than what’s normally expected.

“Most of that does come from rain not coming, and not coming at the right time,” she said.

Friesen explained northern areas are faring better after starting the season off with too much rain, adding conditions in central and southern Saskatchewan vary.

“Some fields, of course, are not looking that great while others – maybe a mile or two away – are in much better shape.”

The province will provide an update on crop conditions in its weekly crop report out Thursday.