The Provincial Crop Report notes heat and lack of moisture continued to deplete topsoil moisture conditions in cropland, hayland, and pastures around the province, and has caused more heat stress on crops.
The continued heat has also caused yield potential to decline with producers in the southern region indicating an “increase in the amount of cereal crops that are harvested for feed given the concerns over yield potential under the current conditions. Many other areas of the province are preparing for harvest operations as the hot and dry conditions continue to quickly ripen crops.” Farmers in the south are also desiccating pulse crops and some are already being harvested.
Producers are hoping for rain to “help with head and pod filling on later seeded crops but for many advanced crops, any moisture received would have little impact on yield at this stage.” It’s also unlikely that a second cut of hay will be possible in most areas.
Only trace amounts of rain were recorded over the past week with the Hafford area getting 15 mm, the St. Walburg area 14 mm and the Aneroid area received 11 mm.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 41 per cent adequate, 49 per cent short and 10 per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at 40 per cent adequate, 49 per cent short and 11 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 37 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and 16 per cent very short. Pastures are starting to be impacted by the lack of rainfall. Currently, four per cent of pastures are rated as excellent condition, 37 per cent good, 42 per cent fair, 15 per cent poor and two per cent as very poor condition.
Lodging due to wind, grasshoppers, and aphids were other factors of crop damage reported, in addition to the heat. Producers are reminded to read product labels if they’re taking pest control measures, and follow pre-harvest intervals as crops quickly develop.
A region by region breakdown of the crop report is below.
Southeast
Many producers in the region are preparing harvest equipment and desiccating pulse crops. A few producers are just starting to harvest earlier seeded pulses along with cereals that are being harvested for feed. Haying is nearing completion with no second cut anticipated due to the lack of moisture.
Minimal rain was received over the past week with two mm being the most recorded in the Esterhazy and Tantallon areas, while the rest of the region received no rainfall.
With the persistent dry and hot conditions, topsoil moisture continues to decline. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 34 per cent adequate, 57 per cent short and nine per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at 28 per cent adequate, 62 per cent short and 10 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 25 per cent adequate, 57 per cent short and 18 per cent very short
Pasture conditions are declining within the region with the continued lack of moisture and high temperatures. Currently, 30 per cent of pastures are rated as good, 44 per cent fair, 21 per cent poor and five per cent very poor.
Heat and lack of moisture have been the main causes of crop damage over the past week but producers indicate that gophers, grasshoppers and aphids are still persisting. Wind has also caused lodging in some crops throughout the region, but overall minor damage was reported.
Southwest
Many producers in the region are preparing harvest equipment and desiccating pulse crops. A few producers are just starting to harvest earlier seeded pulses along with cereals that are being harvested for feed. Haying is nearing completion with no second cut anticipated due to the lack of moisture.
Minimal rain was received over the past week with two mm being the most recorded in the Esterhazy and Tantallon areas, while the rest of the region received no rainfall.
With the persistent dry and hot conditions, topsoil moisture continues to decline. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 34 per cent adequate, 57 per cent short and nine per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at 28 per cent adequate, 62 per cent short and 10 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 25 per cent adequate, 57 per cent short and 18 per cent very short
Pasture conditions are declining within the region with the continued lack of moisture and high temperatures. Currently, 30 per cent of pastures are rated as good, 44 per cent fair, 21 per cent poor and five per cent very poor.
Heat and lack of moisture have been the main causes of crop damage over the past week but producers indicate that gophers, grasshoppers and aphids are still persisting. Wind has also caused lodging in some crops throughout the region, but overall minor damage was reported.
East-Central
With the higher temperatures and drier conditions accelerating crop advancement, producers are preparing harvest equipment. Limited amounts of harvest have started within the region. Haying operations continue but producers indicate that a second cut is unlikely due to the lack of moisture.
Minimal rain was received over the past week with five mm being the most recorded in the Stalwart area. The Ituna area received three mm and the Hyas and Yorkton areas received two mm. The majority of the region received no rainfall over the past week.
Topsoil moisture continues to decrease with the persistent hot and dry conditions. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 49 per cent adequate, 48 per cent short and three per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at 58 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and two per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 46 per cent adequate, 52 per cent short and two per cent very short.
The continued lack of moisture and high temperatures are impacting pastures within the region. Currently, 10 per cent of pastures are rated as in excellent condition, 45 per cent good, 39 per cent fair and six per cent are in poor condition.
Heat and lack of moisture are the main causes of crop damage over the past week. Wind has also caused lodging in some crops throughout the region with up to moderate damage reported. Moderate damage has also been reported from aphids in a few areas within the region. Grasshoppers and gophers continue to be reported but with overall minor crop damage occurring.
West-Central
Producers in the region are preparing harvest equipment with some pulse desiccation occurring. Overall, limited harvest progress was reported for the region but there are a few reports of early seeded cereals being harvested over the past week. Haying operations continue but producers indicate that a second cut is unlikely due to the lack of moisture.
Minimal rain was received over the past week with eight mm being the most recorded in the Macrorie area followed by four mm in the Conquest area. Most of the region received smaller amounts to no rainfall over the past week.
Topsoil moisture continues to decline with the persistent hot and dry conditions. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 44 per cent adequate, 51 per cent short and five per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at 45 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and eight per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 40 per cent adequate, 49 per cent short and 11 per cent very short.
Pastures are being impacted within the region by the continued lack of moisture and high temperatures. Currently, five per cent of pastures are rated as in excellent condition, 44 per cent are good, 45 per cent are fair and six per cent are in poor condition.
Heat and lack of moisture are the main causes of crop damage over the past week. Wind has also caused lodging in some crops throughout the region with up to moderate damage reported. Moderate damage has also been reported from grasshoppers and aphids in areas within the region. Gophers continue to be reported, but with overall minor crop damage occurring.
Northeast
With the higher temperatures and drier conditions accelerating crop advancement, producers are preparing harvest equipment. No harvest activity has been reported for the region. Haying operations continue but producers indicate that a second cut is unlikely due to the lack of moisture.
Minimal rain was received over the past week with five mm being the most recorded in the Nipawin area. The Carrot River, Hague and Duck Lake areas all received three mm. The majority of the region received smaller amounts to no rainfall over the past week.
Topsoil moisture continues to decrease with the persistent hot and dry conditions. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 55 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and one per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at 55 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and one per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 54 per cent adequate, 45 per cent short and one per cent very short.
The continued lack of moisture and high temperatures are impacting pastures within the region. Currently, five per cent of pastures are rated as in excellent condition, 43 per cent are good, 42 per cent are fair and 10 per cent are in poor condition.
Crop damage over the past week was mainly due to the lack of moisture and heat. Wind has also caused lodging in some crops throughout the region, but overall minor damage was reported. Moderate damage has also been reported from aphids in a few areas within the region.
Northwest
With the higher temperatures and drier conditions accelerating crop advancement, producers are preparing harvest equipment. No harvest activity has been reported for the region. Haying is nearing completion with no second cut anticipated due to the lack of moisture.
Rainfall was variable within the region with the Hafford area receiving the highest amount at 15 mm. The St. Walburg area received 14 mm followed by the North Battleford area at nine mm. Most other areas within the region received rain but in smaller amounts over the past week.
Topsoil moisture continues to be impacted by the persistent hot and dry conditions. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 50 per cent adequate, 43 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at 41 per cent adequate, 50 per cent short and nine per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 51 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and 10 per cent very short.
Pastures are being impacted within the region by the continued lack of moisture and high temperatures. Currently, two per cent of pastures are rated as in excellent condition, 47 per cent good, 32 per cent fair and 19 per cent poor condition.
Heat and lack of moisture are the main causes of crop damage over the past week. Wind has also caused lodging in some crops throughout the region with up to moderate damage reported. Grasshopper and aphid damage were reported in a few areas within the region over the past week but overall with minor crop damage occurring.