Crop conditions improving in Saskatchewan, but more rain needed

Crop conditions in Saskatchewan have improved over the past week, but more moisture is needed in many areas.

According to the weekly crop report from the Ministry of Agriculture, which covered the week ending on Monday, most crops in the province are rated as fair to good, with a small number rated as excellent and a few rated as poor, though things have improved since the previous report. But while many farmers are looking to the sky and hoping for more rain, it’s already too late in some areas.

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“The lowest-rated crops are occurring in the southwest, northwest and parts of the northeast, where conditions are driest,” the ministry explained.

“Producers are hoping for more moisture to help with head and pod filling, but for many advanced crops, additional moisture will have little impact on yield at this stage.”

While some rain fell during the week covered by the report, the showers were sporadic, and it wasn’t enough to maintain topsoil moisture in many parts of the province. The Richmound area, near the Alberta border, got the most rain in the week ending Monday, with 62 millimetres.

In cropland, topsoil moisture was rated as 65 per cent adequate, 28 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Dry conditions meant hayland, topsoil moisture was rated as 55 per cent adequate, 36 per cent short and nine per cent very short. In pastures across the province, topsoil moisture was rated as 55 per cent adequate, 32 per cent short and 13 per cent very short.

“In some areas, a second cut of hay is unlikely due to the lack of moisture and crops are being cut for feed where shortages are anticipated,” the ministry noted.

“Livestock producers would like to see rain soon to ensure their pastures can support their livestock through the end of the growing season.”

First-cut haying operations are winding down across Saskatchewan, the report noted, with 11 per cent standing, 21 per cent cut and 68 per cent baled or put up as silage. Hay quality was rated as eight per cent excellent, 56 per cent good, 30 per cent fair and six per cent poor.

“The heat, dry conditions, gophers, grasshoppers, flea beetles and aphids were the most reported sources of crop damage this week,” the ministry wrote in its report.

“In drier areas, the flowering period of crops may be significantly shortened, and producers are concerned about how much this may impact yield. Producers will take action where needed to control pests, such as grasshoppers and aphids, up until harvest.”

A full version of the crop report can be found on the ministry’s website.