About half of the provincial crop is ahead of normal development and some producers are converting low-yielding crops into livestock feed.
“Since Crop Insurance doubled its Low Yield Threshold, there has been a lot of cereal and pulse fields being cut up and baled and hopefully being sold to livestock producers,” said Matt Struthers, an extension specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. “It’s not necessarily a positive, but it’s nice to see neighbours are helping neighbors.”
Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Weekly Crop says any rain received now will only maintain current crop yield. Clouds and smoke provided some heat relief last week, but there was little rain with the exception of pockets in the southeast. Redvers had 75 millimetres (3 inches) while Kisbey and Stoughton reported 34 millimetre.
On a provincial basis, only one percent of canola is rated excellent, 17 percent is good, 36 percent fair, 34 percent poor and 12 percent very poor. As for spring wheat; one percent is excellent , 24 percent good, 38 percent fair, 27 percent poor and 10 percent very poor. The best crops appear to be in the southeast region, where 36 percent of canola and 46 percent of spring wheat are rated good.
In the west-central region, which includes Saskatoon, dryland crops look very poor and many crops completely stunted. Crops under irrigation are performing better but even they are beginning to suffer. Cropland topsoil moisture in west central is four percent adequate, 24 percent short and 72 percent very short.
Grasshoppers continue to be of concern across the province with some producers spraying twice.
“There have been a lot of reports the last couple of weeks that grasshoppers are out of control,” Struthers said. “They are popping up everywhere, even in places that usually typically don’t get dry enough for grasshoppers. Some fields have been sprayed twice to keep them under control and producers are hopefully only spraying fields that are worth spraying.”
Haying continues across Saskatchewan with 22 percent cut and 61 percent baled or put into silage. Hay yields are well below normal and there are big concerns about the amount of feed available to carry cattle over the winter. Estimated average dryland hay yields are 0.70 tons per acre for alfalfa and alfalfa/brome grass and 0.60 tons per acre for other tame hay and wild hay. Greenfeed is averaging about one tonne per acre. In comparison, estimated average irrigated hay yields are 1.79 tons per acre for alfalfa, 1.67 tons for alfalfa/bromegrass and 1.23 tons per acre for greenfeed.
The detailed region-by-region crop report is below:
SOUTHEAST
Crops are advancing so quickly in the region that some producers are indicating that harvest of some pulse and cereal fields is right around the corner. Hot temperatures in the forecast will further deteriorate crops and some producers have already cut multiple crop fields for green feed. Crops in the region range in development and condition; many areas of the province are struggling under heat and moisture stress while other areas like the southeast portion of the region continue to receive crop saving rain and have pockets of very good looking crops.
Scattered rain showers were received across much of the region, with the Redvers area receiving 75 mm. The Kisbey and Stoughton areas received 34 mm of rain, the Weyburn area 18.5 mm, the Moosomin area 12 mm and the Whitewood area 10 mm.
Topsoil moisture conditions declined from last week even with several rain showers appearing across the region throughout the week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 21 per cent adequate, 56 per cent short and 23 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 13 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and 47 per cent very short. Crop District 1B is reporting that 31 per cent of the cropland and 63 per cent of the hay and pasture land is very short topsoil moisture at this time.
Haying operations continue in between rain showers. Livestock producers currently have 26 per cent of the hay crop cut and 52 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as four per cent excellent, 52 per cent good, 39 per cent fair and five per cent poor. Overall, hay yields are far less than average and many producers do not expect a second cut at this time.
Most crop damage this past week was due to dry winds, lack of moisture and heat. Grasshoppers continue to be of concern and some producers are applying insecticides to fields that are worth spraying.
Producer are busy haying, doing yield assessments, applying pesticides and getting equipment ready for harvest.
SOUTHWEST
Many crops in the southwest continue to worsen from the heat and extremely dry growing conditions in the southwest. Some producers have indicated that harvest will soon be approaching as crops are advancing quickly and beginning to dry up from the heat. Overall, the majority of crops in the region are ahead of their normal stages of development for this time of year.
Very little precipitation was received in the region over the week with the most received in the Big Beaver area where nine mm was recorded. The Mortlach area received six mm and the Hazenmore and Blumenhof areas received two mm.
Topsoil moisture conditions have deteriorated across the region. Moisture is desperately needed to maintain dugout levels and quality and to recharge the soil for next year. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent adequate, 27 per cent short and 69 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent adequate, 15 per cent short and 83 per cent very short. Crop District 4A is reporting that 68 per cent of the cropland and 75 per cent of the hay and pasture land is very short topsoil moisture at this time.
Livestock producers currently have 16 per cent of the hay crop cut and 71 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is currently rated as seven per cent excellent, 53 per cent good, 33 per cent fair and seven per cent poor. Overall, hay yields are much less than normal and many producers do not expect a second cut at this time.
The majority of crop damage this past week was due to strong winds, lack of moisture. Grasshoppers continue to be of concern and some producers are applying insecticides.
Producers are busy haying, doing yield assessments, applying pesticides and getting equipment ready for harvest.
WEST CENTRAL
Dryland crops in the region look very poor and have suffered through excessive heat and a massive moisture deficit for several weeks now. Many crops are completely stunted and will no longer advance their lifecycle or are rapidly advancing without the ability to properly develop seed. Crops under irrigation are performing better but even they are beginning to suffer from the unprecedented heat that has gripped the province.
Very little rain fall was recorded in the region with most reports coming back reading trace. The few areas that saw rain are the Macklin area with eight mm, the Langham area with three mm and the Kindersley area with two mm.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent adequate, 24 per cent short and 72 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent adequate, 19 per cent short and 78 per cent very short. Crop District 7A is reporting that 22 per cent of the cropland has short topsoil moisture while Crop District 6B is reporting that 32 per cent of the cropland and 23 per cent of the hay and pasture land is rated as short for topsoil moisture at this time.
Livestock producers currently have 22 per cent of the hay crop cut and 71 per cent baled or put into silage. Haying has been going at a steady pace since there has been very little rainfall to cause delay and the weather is drying down windrows quickly.
Hay quality is currently rated as five per cent excellent, 37 per cent good, 42 per cent fair and 16 per cent poor. Overall, hay yields are about average but some producers have indicated that yields are much less than expected due to a drier spring.
The majority of crop damage this past week was due to strong winds and lack of moisture. Grasshoppers continue to be of concern and some producers are applying insecticides, with some areas spraying twice. Producers are only spraying fields that are worth saving and are leaving their very poor fields to be cut and baled as greenfeed.
Producers are busy haying, doing yield assessments, applying pesticides and getting equipment ready for harvest.
EAST CENTRAL
Just like the other regions of the province, the crops in the east-central region are ahead of their normal developmental time frame, after rapidly maturing in response to the extreme heat and dry growing conditions. Crop yield potential continues to fall across the region and many producers have begun to cut and bale their worst fields as greenfeed.
The region received very little rainfall last week that ranged from nil amounts to eight mm in the Semans areas and three mm in the Goodeve area. Without more rain the crops in the region will not be able to withstand the heat and will quickly dry up.
Topsoil moisture conditions have greatly deteriorated in the last week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent adequate, 48 per cent short and 46 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and 56 per cent very short. Crop District 6A is reporting that 80 per cent of the cropland and 82 per cent of the hay and pasture land is very short for topsoil moisture at this time. Rainfall would be extremely welcomed to help alleviate stress from lack of moisture.
Livestock producers currently have 29 per cent of the hay crop cut and 49 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as eight per cent excellent, 46 per cent good, 27 per cent fair and 19 per cent poor. Overall, hay yields are much less than normal and many producers do not expect a second cut at this time.
The majority of crop damage this past week was due to strong winds and lack of moisture. Grasshoppers continue to be of concern and some producers are applying insecticides.
Producers are busy haying, doing yield assessments, applying pesticides and getting equipment ready for harvest.
NORTHEAST
Crops continue to deteriorate in the region and a large portion of the crops are ahead of their normal stages of development, causing several producers to predict harvest starting far sooner than normal. Wheat and canola crops appear to have fared the heat better than other crops such as oats and barley but yield assessments need to be conducted to determine if any crop has developed any viable seed.
The entire north-east region received next to no precipitation this week except for the Christopher Lake area which received 15 mm. Topsoil moisture conditions have declined since the previous week and are expected to keep falling. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent adequate, 45 per cent short and 49 per cent short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent adequate, 25 per cent short and 69 per cent short. Crop District 8A is reporting that 50 per cent of the cropland and 24 per cent of the hay land and pasture is rated as short for topsoil moisture at this time.
Livestock producers now have 15 per cent of the hay crop cut and 78 put cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is currently rated as nine per cent excellent, 45 per cent good, 45 per cent fair and one per cent poor.
The majority of crop damage this past week was due to strong winds and lack of moisture. Grasshoppers continue to be of concern and some producers are applying insecticides, with some areas spraying twice. Producers are only spraying fields that are worth saving and are leaving their very poor fields to be cut and baled as greenfeed.
Producers are busy haying, doing yield assessments, applying pesticides and getting equipment ready for harvest.
NORTHWEST
The region remains extremely hot and dry, disrupting normal crop development and producer harvest plans. The majority of crops are ahead of their normal stage of crop development and many crops have not filled their heads or pods with seed, and likely won’t unless a good rain is received.
The only occurrence of rain in the region happened around the Barthel area and resulted in only six mm of rain.
Topsoil moisture conditions have worsened in the region due to the recent rains. Cropland topsoil moisture is now rated as seven per cent adequate, 38 per cent short and 55 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as seven per cent adequate,46 per cent short and 47 per cent very short. Crop District 9B is reporting that 50 per cent of the cropland and 31 per cent of the hay land and pasture is rated as very short for topsoil moisture at this time.
Livestock producers currently have 24 per cent of the hay crop cut and 59 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as 20 per cent excellent, 40 per cent good 7 per cent fair and 33 per cent poor.
The majority of crop damage this past week was due to strong winds and lack of moisture. Grasshoppers continue to be of concern and some producers are applying insecticides, with some areas spraying twice. Producers are only spraying fields that are worth saving and are leaving their very poor fields to be cut and baled as greenfeed.
Producers are busy haying, doing yield assessments, applying pesticides and getting equipment ready for harvest.
