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Producers in Saskatchewan are starting to see the effects of the heavy rainfall the province has received in recent weeks.
According to the latest crop report from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, which covered the week ending on Monday, producers are seeing “yellowing and drowned out crops” in some areas, and crops have been slow to develop in some cases due to the cooler temperatures and excess moisture. The rain also slowed down spraying and haying operations on many Saskatchewan farms.
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“Many producers are still reporting flooding as causing the most crop damage in the province and are beginning to see the effects,” the ministry noted in its report.
“Severe thunderstorms last week brought hail to some areas in the province and caused damage to some crops.”
The ministry said the heaviest rainfall in the week covered by the report was seen in the Calder area, where 112 millimetres of rain was recorded. The Gaslyn area was close behind, with 103 mm.
“While many areas received rainfall this week, the surplus topsoil moisture conditions percentage decreased slightly,” the ministry noted. “The surplus topsoil moisture ratings continue to be relatively high across the province overall.”
In cropland, topsoil moisture was rated as 30 per cent surplus, 69 per cent adequate and one per cent short. In hayland, moisture levels were sitting at 23 per cent surplus, 76 per cent adequate and one per cent short. In pastures, topsoil moisture was rated as 16 per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate and two per cent short.
The ministry said most livestock producers have delayed their haying operations due to the damp conditions, with only four per cent of the first hay cut complete.
“Hay quality is reported at 13 per cent excellent, 66 per cent good, eight per cent fair and 13 per cent poor,” the ministry said. “Like last week, most producers are still hoping for warmer and drier conditions to get out in the field to cut hay.”
Pasture conditions across the province were rated as 38 per cent excellent, 55 per cent good and seven per cent fair.
In addition to the issues with haying, the ministry said in-crop spraying has also been delayed due to wet conditions in some parts of Saskatchewan, with farmers trying to get out into their fields to continue spraying and evaluations.
Aside from the issues caused by rain and excess moisture, the ministry said gophers, cabbage seedpod weevils and wind also left behind minor crop damage in some regions.
While the week covered by the latest crop report may have been depressing for many producers, some hot weather is on the way. According to Environment Canada, central and southern Saskatchewan will be feeling a blast of heat starting on Friday afternoon and lasting into the middle of next week.
“Temperatures will approach the 30 degree mark on Friday and climb to the mid 30s by the end of the weekend,” the weather service said in a statement.
