Heat, dry conditions taking toll on crops in Saskatchewan

The heat wave in Saskatchewan is having a major impact on crops in the province.

In its weekly crop report, the Ministry of Agriculture said producers around the province need rain to improve crop and pasture growth, especially in areas that haven’t received a lot of precipitation this year.

The lack of rain has caused topsoil moisture levels to drop significantly over the past week.

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 42 per cent short and 27 per cent very short, but only zero per cent surplus and 31 per cent adequate. Ratings for hay and pasture land topsoil moisture are worse, at 40 per cent very short, 36 per cent short, 24 per cent adequate and zero per cent surplus.

Cool temperatures and limited moisture early in the season have affected hay crops as well. The ministry said the crop “did not reach a satisfactory quantity or quality” for most producers, with ratings of seven per cent excellent, 38 per cent good, 45 per cent fair and 10 per cent poor.

However, the majority of crops in the province are in fair to good condition. The ministry said 56 per cent of fall cereals, 61 per cent of spring cereals, 58 per cent of oilseed crops and 60 per cent of pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year.

The majority of crop damage reported during the week was from heat, wind, extremely dry soil conditions, insects and gophers.