PROVINCE-WIDE
The continued heat and lack of moisture has accelerated crop advancement throughout the province.
With the current conditions crops throughout many regions are stressed, causing yield potential to further decline this week.
Producers are hoping for moisture 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.
Additionally, it is unlikely that a second cut of hay will be possible in most areas of the province due to the lack of moisture. In the southern parts of the province, pulses are being desiccated with many just starting to be harvested.
Cereals are also being harvested for feed in the southern region. Producers indicate there will likely be 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. Hot temperatures and lack of moisture persisted this week with many areas across the province receiving only trace amounts of rainfall or none at all.
The highest rainfall recorded fell in the Hafford area at 15 mm, followed by the St. Walburg area at 14 mm.
Topsoil moisture continued to decline this week. Provincially, 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 percent 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.
Lack of moisture, heat, lodging due to wind, grasshoppers and aphids continued to take a toll on crops over the past week. If producers are taking control measures for pests, they are reminded to read product labels and follow pre-harvest intervals as crops are quickly advancing throughout the province.
EAST CENTRAL SASKATCHEWAN
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.
(NEWS RELEASE FROM SASKATCHEWAN AGRICULTURE)