Glacier FarmMedia – Warm and mostly dry conditions across Saskatchewan helped crops advance in their development during the week ended July 8, according to the latest provincial report.
Some crops showed reductions in the amount falling behind in their development. Fall cereals were 86 per cent normal or ahead of normal development, followed by perennial forage at 78 per cent and pulse crops at 77 per cent. Annual forage was at 71 per cent normal or ahead of normal development, while spring cereals were at 66 per cent and oilseeds were at 60 per cent.
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While much of the province received minimal precipitation, if any, Regina, Frobisher, Langenburg and Macklin all reported at least 50 millimetres coming from isolated storms. Despite the disparity between crop yellowing from excess moisture in some areas and persistent dryness in others, overall crop conditions were good. However, canola and mustard growers were concerned about the heat occurring during the crops’ flowering stages.
Triticale was rated at 98 per cent good to excellent, followed by canary seed at 96 per cent and mustard at 95 per cent. Durum was rated at 93 per cent good to excellent, while oats were at 92 per cent and barley, spring wheat and winter wheat were all at 90 per cent. Lentils were rated at 88 per cent, followed by field peas at 87 per cent, chickpeas at 85 per cent, canola at 84 per cent, flax at 83 per cent and fall rye at 82 per cent. Soybeans were behind at 64 per cent.
Cropland topsoil moisture was rated at seven per cent surplus, 83 per cent adequate, eight per cent short and two per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture was reported at five per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate, nine per cent short and two per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture was three per cent surplus, 80 per cent adequate, 14 per cent short and three per cent very short.
Hay quality was rated at 89 per cent good to excellent with 19 per cent of the hay crop receiving its first cut. Six per cent of the crop has been baled or silaged. High humidity levels are prolonging the amount of time needed for hay to dry. Haying will continue over the next few weeks.
Most crop damage reported during the week was caused by excess moisture, while damage from heat stress was reported in other areas. Isolated hail events also caused damage, as well as gophers and grasshoppers. Disease has also been developing in some fields, as well as insect pressure caused by aphids and cabbage seedpod weevils. Growers will apply fungicide to reduce the potential for disease, while also monitoring fields for insects.
