Some regions need warm, drier weather to help crops develop

Crop conditions are good but still behind development, according to the Saskatchewan Crop Report released Thursday.

Rain during the reporting period of June 25 to July 1 was again widespread with some areas getting an excessive amount, resulting in crop yellowing, stunting and root rot development due to moisture stress, leaf diseases in cereal crops, and disease development in pulse crops. Regions where there was less rainfall could use more to help crop, hay, and pasture development. Overall, warmer weather is needed to help crop growth.

Fungicide use is expected to be high in the coming weeks with some areas already started.

Hail and wind damage brought minor to moderate crop damage; gophers are causing problems for canola with some areas reporting moderate to severe damage; flea beetles are becoming less of a concern and grasshoppers have slowed down due to the cooler weather. Producers will continue to monitor their fields for pests and diseases.

The Goodeve and Ituna areas had the most rainfall at 143 mm and 133 mm respectively; the Semans area received 112 mm and the Smiley area received 108 mm over the past week.

The crop report noted producers reporting good pasture conditions throughout the province. Currently, 29 per cent of pastures are reported as excellent, 57 per cent are good, 13 per cent are fair and one per cent are reported as poor.

The following oilseed, pulse, and cereal crops are at various stages of development:

• Three per cent of winter cereals are in the tillering stage, eight per cent at stem elongation, 22 per cent at flag leaf, 57 per cent heading and 10 per cent at the dough stage.
• Five per cent of spring cereals are at the seedling stage with 33 per cent tillering, 33 per cent at stem elongation, 23 per cent at flag leaf and six per cent heading.
• Six per cent of pulse crops are at the seedling stage with 71 per cent at the vegetative stage of development and 23 per cent flowering.
• Fifteen per cent of canola and mustard are at the seedling stage, 48 per cent at the rosette stage, 26 per cent bolting and 11 per cent at the flowering stage.
• Thirty-three per cent of the flax is at the seedling stage with 63 per cent at stem elongation and four per cent flowering.

Rain has delayed producers from haying operations. As far as conditions go, six per cent of the hay crop has received its first cut with three per cent baled or silage. Hay quality is rated as 25 per cent excellent, 69 per cent good and six per cent fair.

Topsoil moisture conditions increased with the consistent precipitation. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 14 per cent surplus, 80 per cent adequate and six per cent short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at nine per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate, six per cent short and one per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is five per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate, nine per cent short and two per cent very short.

A region by region breakdown is below.

Southeast

Producers are working around the challenging weather conditions to wrap up herbicide applications. Over the next week they will be moving into fungicide applications and continuing with haying operations. Fields will continue to be monitored for pest and disease development within the region.

Although rainfall amounts were variable, all areas in the region reported rainfall for the past week. A few areas reported isolated hail events as well. The Langenburg area reported the highest rainfall at 90 mm followed by the Ituna area at 87 mm. The Alida area received 52 mm and the Avonlea area received 36 mm. The Stoughton area reported 12 mm and the Radville area reported eight mm over the past week.

Topsoil moisture remains adequate for the region, but some areas are reporting increases to surplus moisture along with other areas reporting increases in short moisture conditions due to lack of rainfall. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 15 per cent surplus, 75 per cent adequate, nine per cent short and one per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at five per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate, nine per cent short and two per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is four per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate, 11 per cent short and three per cent very short.

Producers are looking forward to warmer weather to assist crop advancement. Varying stages of development are reported across the region:

One per cent of winter cereals are in the tillering stage, 11 per cent at stem elongation, eight per cent at flag leaf, 60 per cent heading and 20 per cent at the dough stage.
Four per cent of spring cereals are at the seedling stage with 22 per cent tillering, 29 per cent at stem elongation, 30 per cent at flag leaf and 15 per cent heading.
Five per cent of pulse crops are at the seedling stage with 65 per cent at the vegetative stage of development and 30 per cent flowering.
One per cent of canola and mustard are at the pre-emergent stage, 14 per cent at the seedling stage, 37 per cent at the rosette stage, 35 per cent bolting and 13 per cent at the flowering stage.
Twenty-four per cent of the flax is at the seedling stage with 70 per cent at stem elongation and six per cent flowering.

Pasture conditions vary throughout the region. Thirty-two per cent of pastures are rated as excellent, 45 per cent good, 18 per cent fair, three per cent poor and two per cent very poor.

Haying is beginning within the region. One per cent of the hay crop is cut with two per cent baled or silaged. Hay quality is rated as 22 per cent excellent, 71 per cent good and seven per cent fair.

Wind and excess moisture caused crop damage in areas throughout the region with a few areas reporting severe damage. Localized flooding in the low-lying areas along with other areas of fields being fully saturated are contributing to crop stress. Producers in some areas also report the lack of moisture is contributing to crop stress as well. Hail and waterfowl caused minor to moderate crop damage in some areas. Gophers continue to cause crop damage with a few areas reporting moderate to severe damage.

The cooler weather has slowed grasshopper development throughout the region, but a few areas are reporting minor to moderate grasshopper damage. Flea beetles are present within the region but as the canola continues to advance, they are becoming less of a concern. Producers continue to note the presence of root rots, leaf diseases in cereals and the start of pulse disease development. Over the coming weeks, producers will be applying fungicide to slow disease progression in their fields.

Southwest

Producers are working to wrap up any remaining herbicide applications and over the next week will be moving into fungicide applications. The anticipated drier and warmer weather will help to advance haying operations within the region with some producers just starting. Fields will continue to be monitored for pest and disease development within the region.

Rain fell throughout the region over the past week at varying amounts. The Limerick area reported the highest rainfall at 86 mm followed by the Swift Current area at 57 mm. The Moose Jaw area received 44 mm and the Admiral area received 32 mm. The Leader area reported 14 mm and the Maple Creek area reported eight mm over the past week.

Topsoil moisture increased in the region over the past week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 89 per cent adequate and 11 per cent short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at 84 per cent adequate, 14 per cent short and two per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 80 per cent adequate, 17 per cent short and three per cent very short.

Producers report that crops are in generally good condition, but some moisture would be welcome in the areas that have been receiving little rainfall. Varying stages of development are reported across the region:

Eighteen per cent of winter cereals are at the flag leaf stage with 77 per cent heading and five per cent at the dough stage.
One per cent of spring cereals are at the pre-emergent stage with eight per cent at the seedling stage, 26 per cent tillering, 31 per cent at stem elongation, 24 per cent at flag leaf and 10 per cent heading.
Six per cent of pulse crops are at the seedling stage with 68 per cent at the vegetative stage of development and 26 per cent flowering.
Six per cent of canola and mustard are at the seedling stage, 29 per cent at the rosette stage, 33 per cent bolting, 31 per cent flowering and one per cent at the podded stage.
Fifty-eight per cent of the flax is at the seedling stage with 38 per cent at stem elongation and four per cent flowering.

Pasture conditions vary throughout the region. Twenty-four per cent of pastures are rated as excellent, 59 per cent good and 17 per cent fair.

Haying is progressing within the region. Thirteen per cent of the hay crop is cut with two per cent baled or silaged. Hay quality is rated as 24 per cent excellent, 72 per cent good and four per cent fair.

Minor crop damage was reported from excess moisture, hail and wind. Producers in some areas also report the lack of moisture is contributing to crop stress as well. Grasshoppers and gophers continue to cause minor to moderate crop damage within the region. Flea beetles are still being reported but as the canola continues to advance, they are becoming less of a concern. Producers are monitoring crops for damage from cabbage seedpod weevils as canola starts to flower. The presence of root rots, leaf diseases in cereals and the start of pulse disease development are also being monitored. Over the coming weeks, producers will be applying fungicide to slow disease progression in their fields.

East-Central

Producers are working around the challenging weather conditions to wrap up herbicide applications. Over the coming weeks producers will be moving into fungicide applications with some having already sprayed fungicides. As the weather permits, haying operations will continue. Fields will continue to be monitored for pest and disease development within the region.

Rain was widespread throughout the region with many areas reporting significant amounts for the past week. The Goodeve area reported the highest rainfall at 143 mm followed by the Ituna area at 133 mm. The Semans and Jedburgh areas received 112 mm. The Stalwart area reported 100 mm over the past week.

The region continues to report increases in surplus topsoil moisture. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 33 per cent surplus, 65 per cent adequate and two per cent short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at 32 per cent surplus and 68 per cent adequate. Pasture topsoil moisture is 22 per cent surplus and 78 per cent adequate.

Producers are looking forward to warmer weather to assist crop advancement. Varying stages of development are reported across the region:

One per cent of winter cereals are in the tillering stage, two per cent at stem elongation, 20 per cent at flag leaf, 63 per cent heading and 14 per cent at the dough stage.
One per cent of spring cereals are at the pre-emergent stage with seven per cent at the seedling stage, 36 per cent tillering, 30 per cent at stem elongation, 22 per cent at flag leaf and five per cent heading.
Three per cent of pulse crops are at the seedling stage with 82 per cent at the vegetative stage of development and 15 per cent flowering.
One per cent of canola and mustard are at the pre-emergent stage, 19 per cent at the seedling stage, 53 per cent at the rosette stage, 25 per cent bolting and two per cent at the flowering stage.
Fifty-four per cent of the flax is at the seedling stage with 46 per cent at stem elongation.

Pasture conditions are looking good within the region. Twenty-two per cent of pastures are rated as excellent, 71 per cent good, six per cent fair and one per cent poor.

Haying is progressing within the region when weather allows. Six per cent of the hay crop is cut with nine per cent baled or silaged. Hay quality is rated as 23 per cent excellent, 69 per cent good and eight per cent fair.

With the continued rainfall throughout the region, excess moisture continues to be the main cause of crop damage with some areas reporting severe damage. Some parts of the region report that low lying areas have standing water with limited chance for crop recovery with other areas of fields that are saturated having crop yellowing and stunting. Frost and hail were reported as causing minor damage. Wind and gophers caused minor crop damage with a few areas reporting moderate damage. Flea beetles are present within the region but as the canola continues to advance, they are becoming less of a concern. Grasshopper damage is reported as minor within the region and overall is limited to the west side of the region. Producers continue to note the presence of root rots and leaf diseases in cereals. Over the coming weeks, producers will be applying fungicide to slow disease progression in their fields.

West-Central

Producers are working to wrap up any remaining herbicide applications as the weather allows. Over the coming weeks producers will be moving into fungicide applications with some having already sprayed fungicides. The anticipated drier and warmer weather will help to advance haying operations within the region with some producers just starting. Fields will continue to be monitored for pest and disease development within the region.

Rain was widespread throughout the region with many areas reporting significant amounts for the past week. The Rosetown area reported the highest rainfall at 130 mm followed by the Biggar area at 120 mm. The Macrorie area received 112 mm and the Smiley area received 108 mm. The Battleford area reported 55 mm over the past week.

Topsoil moisture increased in the region over the past week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 11 per cent surplus, 86 per cent adequate and three per cent short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at three per cent surplus, 94 per cent adequate and three per cent short. Pasture topsoil moisture is three per cent surplus, 92 per cent adequate, four per cent short and one per cent very short.

Producers are looking forward to warmer weather to assist crop advancement. Varying stages of development are reported across the region:

Six per cent of winter cereals are in the tillering stage, six per cent at stem elongation, 25 per cent at flag leaf, 50 per cent heading and 13 per cent at the dough stage.
Six per cent of spring cereals are at the seedling stage, 40 per cent tillering, 35 per cent at stem elongation, 16 per cent at flag leaf and three per cent heading.
Four per cent of pulse crops are at the seedling stage with 85 per cent at the vegetative stage of development and 11 per cent flowering.
Eight per cent of canola and mustard are at the seedling stage, 66 per cent at the rosette stage, 20 per cent bolting and six per cent at the flowering stage.
Thirteen per cent of the flax is at the seedling stage with 86 per cent at stem elongation and one per cent flowering.

Pasture conditions are looking good within the region. Fifty-one per cent of pastures are rated as excellent, 42 per cent good, six per cent fair and one per cent poor.

Haying is just getting started within the region. Two per cent of the hay crop is cut with two per cent baled or silaged. Hay quality is rated as 22 per cent excellent, 75 per cent good and three per cent fair.

Continued rainfall throughout the region is causing crop damage due to excess moisture with some areas reporting severe damage. Heavy rainfall caused flooding in some areas as fields were already saturated. Crops in these excess moisture areas are showing crop yellowing, stunting and root rot development. Hail damage was reported for the past week with some areas receiving minor to moderate crop damage. Wind damage was minor throughout the region. Gophers continue to be a problem in some areas within the region with minor to severe crop damage reported. Grasshoppers and flea beetles caused minor crop damage over the past week. The presence of root rots, leaf diseases in cereals and the start of pulse disease development are also being monitored. Over the coming weeks, producers will be applying fungicide to slow disease progression in their fields.

Northeast

Rain fell throughout the region over the past week at varying amounts. The Rose Valley area received the highest amount at 55 mm followed by the St. Brieux area at 54 mm. The Kinistino area received 18 mm and the Choiceland and Hudson Bay areas received 12 mm. The Prince Albert area received the least amount over the past week at one mm.

The topsoil moisture saw some reductions to the surplus amounts reported last week in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 23 per cent surplus and 77 per cent adequate. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at 17 per cent surplus and 83 per cent adequate. Pasture topsoil moisture is 15 per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate and one per cent short.

Producers are looking forward to warmer weather to assist crop advancement. Varying stages of development are reported across the region:

One per cent of winter cereals are in the tillering stage, four per cent at stem elongation, 85 per cent at flag leaf and ten per cent heading.
Three per cent of spring cereals are at the seedling stage with 40 per cent tillering, 43 per cent at stem elongation and 14 per cent at the flag leaf.
Four per cent of pulse crops are at the seedling stage with 80 per cent at the vegetative stage of development and 16 per cent flowering.
Nineteen per cent of canola and mustard are at the seedling stage, 61 per cent at the rosette stage, 18 per cent bolting and two per cent at the flowering stage.
Twenty-one per cent of the flax is at the seedling stage with 71 per cent at stem elongation and eight per cent flowering.

Pasture conditions are looking good within the region. Forty-one per cent of pastures are rated as excellent, 57 per cent good and two per cent fair.

Haying has progressed within the region as weather allows. Five per cent of the hay crop is cut with two per cent baled or silaged. Hay quality is rated as 18 per cent excellent, 81 per cent good and one per cent fair.

With the continued rainfall throughout the region, excess moisture continues to be the main cause of crop damage with some areas reporting severe damage. Some parts of the region report that low lying areas have standing water with limited chance for crop recovery with other areas of the field that are saturated having crop yellowing and stunting. Hail and wind were reported as causing minor damage over the past week. Flea beetles are present within the region but as the canola continues to advance, they are becoming less of a concern. Producers continue to note the presence of root rots and leaf diseases in cereals. Over the coming weeks, producers will be applying fungicide to slow disease progression in their fields.

Northwest

Producers are finishing up any remaining herbicide applications and moving into fungicide applications with some having already sprayed fungicides. The anticipated drier and warmer weather will help to advance haying operations within the region with some producers just starting. Fields will continue to be monitored for pest and disease development within the region.

Rain fell in varying amounts over the past week throughout the region. The highest rainfall recorded fell in the Radison area at 85 mm followed by the Hafford area at 43 mm. The Paynton area received 22 mm and the lowest rainfall recorded fell in the Livelong area at four mm.

Topsoil moisture dropped slightly in the region over the past week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 10 per cent surplus, 87 per cent adequate and three per cent short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at six per cent surplus, 89 per cent adequate and five per cent short. Pasture topsoil moisture is four per cent surplus, 87 per cent adequate and nine per cent short.

Producers are looking forward to warmer weather to assist crop advancement. Varying stages of development are reported across the region:

Twelve per cent of winter cereals are at the flag leaf stage with 88 per cent at heading.
Two per cent of spring cereals are at the seedling stage with 35 per cent tillering, 38 per cent at stem elongation, 23 per cent at flag leaf and two per cent at heading.
Two per cent of pulse crops are at the seedling stage with 87 per cent at the vegetative stage of development and 11 per cent flowering.
Twelve per cent of canola and mustard are at the seedling stage, 54 per cent at the rosette stage, 32 per cent bolting and two per cent at the flowering stage.
One hundred per cent of the flax is reported at the stem elongation stage.

Pasture conditions vary throughout the region. Twenty-six per cent of pastures are rated as excellent, 63 per cent good, 10 per cent fair and one per cent poor.

Haying has progressed slowly within the region as weather allows. Three per cent of the hay crop is cut with one per cent baled or silaged. Hay quality is rated as 10 per cent excellent and 90 per cent good.

Minor crop damage was reported from excess moisture, frost, hail and gophers over the past week. Wind damage was reported overall as minor, but one area reported moderate damage. Flea beetles are still being reported but as the canola continues to advance, they are becoming less of a concern. The presence of root rots, leaf diseases in cereals and the start of pulse disease development are being monitored throughout the region. Over the coming weeks, producers will be applying fungicide to slow disease progression in their fields.

Some regions need warm, drier weather to help crops develop

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