Saskatchewan livestock producers have 12 per cent of the 2012 hay crop cut and three per cent baled or put into silage, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report. Eighty-nine per cent of the hay crop is rated as good to excellent in quality.

In terms of crop development, 61 per cent of the fall cereals are in the heading stage; 61 per cent of the spring cereals are in the jointed to shot-blade stage; 50 per cent of the canola and mustard are in the rosette stage and 24 per cent in the flowering stage; 69 per cent of the pulses are in the vegetative stage and 27 per cent in the flowering stage; and 48 per cent of the flax is in the seedling stage and 42 per cent in the stem-elongation stage. Thanks to the recent warm weather, the majority of crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year.

Across the province, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 27 per cent surplus, 72 per cent adequate and one per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 14 per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate and five per cent short.

Thunderstorms in some areas produced strong winds and varying amounts of precipitation. Hail and tornadoes were also reported. Flooding, wind, hail, insects and disease are causing the majority of crop damage.

Farmers are busy haying, scouting crops and spraying for diseases and weeds. Follow the 2012 Crop Report on Twitter at @SKGovAg.