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Topsoil moisture levels are improving across Saskatchewan thanks to rainfall over the past week, although cooler temperatures have slowed down crop development and some producers are reporting crop damage due to flooding.
According to the latest crop report from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, which covered the week ending on Monday, rainfall “significantly increased topsoil moisture in all regions this week.”
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The Macklin area received 108 millimetres of rain during the week covered by the report, followed by the Wilkie area (107 mm), the Semans area (99 mm) and the Luseland area (96mm), though the rain was very limited in the northwest region of the province.
In cropland, topsoil moisture was rated as six per cent surplus, 74 per cent adequate, 16 per cent short and four per cent very short. Hayland moisture levels were rated as five per cent surplus, 64 per cent adequate, 22 per cent short and nine per cent very short. Moisture levels in pastures were rated as three per cent surplus, 57 per cent adequate, 26 per cent short and 14 per cent very short.
But while the rain was welcomed by many producers, the cool temperatures that accompanied the precipitation slowed down the development of many crops.
“Oilseed crops are the furthest behind the normal stages of development for this time of year. Crops in the southwest region of the province are the furthest advanced while crops in the east-central and northeast regions are the furthest behind in development,” the ministry explained in its report.
“Warmer temperatures and continued precipitation are needed to help crop development progress.”
The rain also caused issues with flooding in some areas, and about one per cent of the province’s seeded land is flooded “and unlikely to produce a crop,” the ministry noted, and around one per cent of forage crops are also in jeopardy due to excess moisture.
“For areas experiencing reduced moisture, 52 per cent of the forage crops may have yields significantly impacted, along with 59 per cent expressing that the carrying capacity of pastures may be reduced,” the ministry wrote in the report.
Meanwhile, the “sporadic rainfall in Saskatchewan” is also causing issues with livestock water supplies for some producers, who are expressing concern about water availability.
About one per cent of livestock water supplies are severely short, the ministry said, while 21 per cent are moderately short and a further 23 per cent expect to be short in the next couple of months.
“Various causes of crop damage were reported over the past week, including excess moisture due to recent rain, which has been rated as minor in most regions,” the ministry said. “Additionally, dry conditions continue to be reported with some regions noting severe damage.”
Farmers in some areas saw damage from hail and high winds, and are still assessing their crops to determine whether they will be able to recover. Minor frost damage was also reported in some areas, along with concerns around gophers and flea beetles.
Saskatchewan producers are working to finish applying herbicides and insecticides, and some are looking to apply fungicides due to the recent rain. Some producers are starting their haying operations, while others are checking fences as cattle are being put out to pasture.
“Producers are reminded to take all safety precautions in all the work they do,” the report noted. “The Farm Stress Line can help by providing support 24/7, toll free at 1-800-667-4442.”
The complete crop report can be found on the Government of Saskatchewan’s website.
