Haying continued throughout the province, with fewer delays caused by rainfall this past week.
Specifically in East-Central Saskatchewan:
Crop District 5 – Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville and Kelvington areas
Crop District 6A – Lumsden, Craik, Watrous and Clavet areas
Livestock producers currently have 48 per cent of the hay baled or put into silage. An additional 23 per cent is cut and ready for baling. Hay quality is currently rated as 13 per cent excellent, 46 per cent good, 33 per cent fair and eight per cent poor.
Rainfall in the region ranged from zero to 30 mm in the Kelvington area. The Kenaston area received two mm, the Elfros area three mm, the Kuroki area 10 mm, the Saltcoats area 12 mm and the Raymore area 24 mm. The Kuroki area has received the most precipitation in the region since April 1 (258 mm).
Topsoil moisture conditions have continued to deplete in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 55 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and six per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 51 per cent adequate, 32 per cent short and 17 per cent very short. District 6A reported that 58 per cent of the cropland and 33 per cent of the hay and pasture land is short topsoil moisture at this time and that seven per cent of cropland and 36 per cent of hay and pasture land is very short.
Crop development progressed quickly this past week due to warm temperatures. Farmers reported that most crops look good, but in some areas where they received less rainfall there are concerns that lack of moisture will affect crop fill. Most crops in the east-central region are in fair-to-good condition.
Most of the crop damage this past week was due to dry conditions and wind. There have also been reports of localized damage from heavy rain, which resulted in lodged crops. Farmers are still spraying for disease and insect pests as conditions warrant it.
Farmers are busy haying, hauling grain, scouting for insects and disease and spraying.
Provincially, livestock producers now have 26 per cent of the hay crop cut and 49 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is currently rated as seven per cent excellent, 68 per cent good, 20 per cent fair and five per cent poor. Many farmers have indicated that hay yields are below normal this year, particularly in areas that received less rainfall in early summer.
Rainfall this past week varied throughout the province, with many areas not receiving any rain and areas around Indian Head and Neilburg receiving up to 50 mm. The St. Walburg area has received the most rain since April 1 with 416 mm.
With the lack of rainfall in many areas and warm temperatures this past week, moisture conditions have reduced slightly in the province. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 71 per cent adequate, 22 per cent short and five per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 63 per cent adequate, 25 per cent short and 11 per cent very short.
Crop development progressed rapidly this past week due to warm weather. Winter cereals are starting to ripen and earlier seeded crops have started to mature. Some farmers have indicated that harvesting of those crops will begin in the coming weeks. While the majority of crops overall are in fair-to-good condition, most of the spring cereals, canola, field peas and soybeans are in fair-to-excellent condition.
Crop damage this past week was due to strong winds, lack of moisture, localized flooding, hail and wildlife. There have also been reports of diseases such as root rots, ascochyta, sclerotinia, fusarium head blight and other foliar diseases and insects such as grasshoppers.
Farmers are busy haying, scouting for pests and getting equipment and bins ready for harvest.
A complete, printable version of the Crop Report is available online at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/crop-report.
Follow the 2020 Crop Report on Twitter at @SKAgriculture.
