Crop stress increased as topsoil moisture further declined this past week in Saskatchewan.
Thursday’s weekly crop report said more hot, dry weather has many producers concerned about their crops, especially in the southern and western portions of the province where conditions are the most dire.
“Multiple extremely hot days during the critical flowering stage of many crops have likely lowered yield potential in some areas,” the report said.
The spring wheat and durum crops were rated 76% and 59% good to excellent as of Monday, down from 90% and 93% just two weeks earlier. At 68% good to excellent, the condition of the canola crop was down 16 points over two weeks, while the oat and barley crops dropped 17 and 16 points, respectively, to 75% and 74% good to excellent.
The pea crop was rated 73% good to excellent, down from 87%, while the canary crop fell 22 points to 74% and the chickpea lost a hefty 33 points to 52%. The mustard crop fell to 59% from 95% and flax was down to 72% from 83%. The condition of the lentil crop fell 20 points to 68% but soybeans managed to hold steady at 68%.
Cropland topsoil moisture was rated 50% adequate and 50% short to very short as of Monday, down sharply from 4% surplus, 77% adequate and 19% short to very short just a week earlier.
Continued high temperatures have caused crop conditions to “deteriorate quickly,” although things still look better this time around compared to recent growing seasons, mostly due to much improved moisture earlier in the growing season. However, if the heat persists crops will continue to decline and yield potential will fall, the report said.
Most crops are rated fair to good with the lowest rated crops coming from the southwest, west central and parts of the southeast where conditions are driest (see crop damage maps below).
There are a few reports that crops in the driest areas of the province, mostly early seeded pulses and cereals, are already close to being ready for harvest, the report added.
The province saw just minor rainfall this past week, providing little relief for thirsty crops. The Macklin area reported the most rain at 20 mm, followed by the Shaunavon area at 17 mm.
The heat, dry conditions, gophers, grasshoppers and aphids were the most reported sources of crop damage this week. Canola is especially sensitive to heat blasting while flowering and producers are concerned about how their crops will fair during this period. Cereals also appear to have been significantly affected by the extreme heat.
Southeast:
The region continues to experience hot and dry conditions which has quickened crop development and resulted in deteriorating crop conditions, especially in areas where lower amounts of precipitation have been received. Producers are hoping for rain soon to help lessen the impact of the heat on their crop yields, aid hayland regrowth and improve their pasture lands currently supporting livestock.
There was no reported rainfall for the southeast this week; some producers are reporting their crops have turned so fast they might be harvesting by next week. Topsoil moisture conditions continue to drop week to week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 52 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and six per cent very short.
Crop conditions in the region also continue to decline from the heat and dry growing conditions. Crops such as wheat, durum, barley, canola and lentils are rated to be in fair to good condition, but if the weather does not improve we will see a further increase in poor and very poor rated crops.
Southwest:
The region continues to experience hot and dry conditions which has quickened crop development and result in deteriorating crop conditions, especially in areas where lower amounts of precipitation have been received. Producers are hoping for rain soon to help lessen the impact of the heat on their crop yields, aid hayland regrowth and improve their pasture lands currently supporting livestock.
Rainfall was very minimal and very sporadic; the Shaunavon area reported 17 mm, the Consul area nine mm and the Hazenmore area five mm. This rain will do very little for the crops and pasture suffering through the heat wave. Topsoil moisture in the region has deteriorated greatly and the southwest remains the driest region in the province. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 24 per cent adequate, 46 per cent short and 30 per cent very short.
The heat and reduction in topsoil moisture is causing crop conditions to decline as the heat blasts flowers and reduces yield potential.
Most crops are reported to be in fair to good condition with a growing percentage being rated poor to fair as the heat and dry weather conditions persist. Early seeded crops appear to have tolerated the extreme conditions slightly better as they were more advanced than later seeded crops during the heat wave. Rain is desperately needed in many areas as producers report that they are seeing very little head or seed filling.
East-Central:
The region continues to experience hot and dry conditions which has quickened crop development and resulted in deteriorating crop conditions, especially in areas where lower amounts of precipitation have been received. Producers are hoping for rain soon to help lessen the impact of the heat on their crop yields, aid hayland regrowth and improve their pasture lands currently supporting livestock.
There was no reported rainfall for the east central region this week, this has caused some crops to rapidly advance. Topsoil moisture conditions continue to drop week to week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 55 per cent adequate, 43 per cent short and two per cent very short.
Crop conditions in the region are rated from fair to good, with the largest percentage being good. Some parts of the region have faired better than others; these areas received high amounts of precipitation early in the season and this reserve has allowed crops to survive the heat. In the drier areas, however, producers are hoping for rain soon so they do not see their crops deteriorate further.
West-Central
The region continues to experience hot and dry conditions which has quickened crop development and deteriorated crop conditions, especially in areas where lower amounts of precipitation have been received. Producers are hoping for rain soon to help lessen the impact of the heat on their crop yields, aid hayland regrowth and improve their pasture lands currently supporting livestock.
There were some rain showers this past week, but they were not enough to give large relief to suffering crops through the heat. The largest rainfall that was reported was 20 mm in the Macklin area and 11 mm in the Luseland area; the rest of the region got little to no rain. Producers are hopeful more rain will be on the way soon to help improve topsoil moisture and help seed filling.
Topsoil moisture conditions for cropland are rated as 63 per cent adequate and 37 per cent short. Crops and pastures in the region will need rain soon or they will see a sharp decline in their condition.
Currently crop conditions are rated as fair to good with the majority rated as good. The west central has the highest percentage of crops rated as excellent as well; this is due to the moisture received in the spring and the rapid growth seen over the past few weeks. If the heat and dry conditions continue crops will rapidly decline in condition.
Northeast:
The region continues to experience hot and dry conditions which has quickened crop development but overall, the crops in the region have fared quite well in the heat compared to other areas of the province. Heavy precipitation earlier in the season which resulted in excess soil moisture is the saving factor for crops in the region.
Very little rainfall was received in the region this week and the hot dry weather allowed for topsoil moisture ratings to decline. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 71 per cent adequate and 29 per cent short. Crops are holding on, but more rain is needed to ensure minimal damage from the heat and to aid in seed fill.
Crop conditions in the region are rated from fair to good, with the largest percentage being good. Some parts of the region have fared better than others; these areas received a high amount of precipitation early in the season and this reserve has allowed crops to survive the heat. In the drier areas however, producers are hoping for rain soon so they do not see their crops deteriorate further.
Northwest:
The region continues to experience hot and dry conditions which has quickened crop development and resulted in deteriorating crop conditions, especially in areas where lower amounts of precipitation have been received. Producers are hoping for rain soon to help lessen the impact of the heat on their crop yields, aid hayland regrowth and improve their pasture lands currently supporting livestock.
Very little rainfall was received in the region this week and the hot dry weather allowed for topsoil moisture ratings to decline. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 48 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and eight per cent very short. Crops are experiencing a lot of stress from the heat, especially canola which has been reported to be dropping petals due to heat blasting.
Crop conditions in the region are rated from fair to good; without a break from the heat and a decent rain soon their condition will rapidly decline. Already producers are noting a reduction in potential yield due to heat blasting of flower petals. Pastures are also being observed as rapidly declining which has caused some concern for livestock producers in the region.
