Glacier FarmMedia — Rains were welcome across much of Saskatchewan during the week ended June 9, but topsoil moisture levels declined and crop damage was a concern in areas that missed out on the precipitation, said the latest provincial crop report.
With seeding operations now complete, the sporadic rainfall left overall provincial moisture conditions relatively unchanged on the week.
Cropland topsoil moisture was rated as two per cent surplus, 44 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 12 per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture was reported at 38 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and 21 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture was 29 per cent adequate, 45 per cent short and 26 per cent very short.
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Varying stages of crop development were reported given the varied amounts of rain throughout the province.
• Thirteen per cent of winter cereals were in the tillering stage, 20 per cent at stem elongation, 26 per cent at flag leaf, 36 per cent are heading and five per cent are in the dough stage
• Nine per cent of spring cereals were at the pre-emergent stage with 47 per cent at the seedling stage, 38 per cent are tillering and six per cent in the stem elongation stage.
• Eight per cent of pulse crops were at the pre-emergent stage with 48 per cent at the seedling stage and 44 per cent reported at the vegetative stage of development.
• Eighteen percent of canola and mustard were at the pre-emergent stage, with 67 per cent at the seedling stage and 15 per cent at the rosette stage.
• Eighteen per cent of the flax was at the pre-emergent stage with 68 per cent at the seedling stage and 14 per cent starting stem elongation.
Environmental conditions contributing to crop damage during the week include dryness, heat and wind. Producers also reported some minor damage was being caused by frost and wildlife in many regions of the province. Flea beetles, grasshoppers, cutworms and pea leaf weevil continued to cause crop damage throughout many regions with some areas reporting minor to moderate crop damage.
