A week of warmer weather and reduced rainfall has accelerated Saskatchewan crop development, although crop damage from overly dry conditions is being reported in parts of the province.
Producers in the southwest portion of the province, along with a few areas in the southeast, are reporting minor to moderate crop damage in relation to lack of moisture occurring within these regions, said Thursday’s weekly crop report. Meanwhile, high temperatures in the forecast are expected to “cause further crop deterioration if moisture is not received.”
Many areas across the province received reduced to just trace amounts of moisture this past week, but a few isolated storms did move through, bringing hail, wind and heavy rainfall. Provincial cropland topsoil moisture was rated 4% surplus, 77% adequate, 17% short and 2% very short as of Monday, versus 7% surplus, 83% adequate, 8% short and 2% very short the previous week.
In the Southwest, cropland topsoil moisture is now rated almost half (49%) short to very short. The Southeast is reported at 21% short to very short.
The good news is the recent warmer weather has allowed for quicker crop development with more crops moving closer to their normal stages of development as compared to previous weeks. An estimated 30% of the oilseed crops in the province are behind the normal development stage for this time of year, with the remainder now at or ahead of normal. An estimated 27% of the spring cereals are also lagging, along with 18% of the pulses.
Last year, just 9% and 8% of the oilseeds and spring cereals were behind, and only 4% of the pulses.
Additional crop damage this past week was mainly due to gophers, grasshoppers, hail, and wind. Overall, pest pressure is remaining lower throughout many regions, but producers are continuing to monitor their fields for any changes. Fungicides are continuing to be applied to either suppress disease that has already developed or proactively to reduce disease development, the report said.
Southeast:
Limited rain fell throughout much of the region over the past week except for a few smaller areas within the region. The highest rain fell in the Saltcoats area at 19 mm. The Alida and Carnduff areas both received 15 mm over the past week and the Ituna area received 13 mm. Areas within the region need rain to support continued crop development.
Reduced precipitation and increased temperatures continue to reduce topsoil moisture throughout the region. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 10 per cent surplus, 69 per cent adequate, 19 per cent short and two per cent very short.
Recent warmer weather has allowed for quicker crop development with more crops moving closer to their normal stages of development for this time of year as compared to previous weeks. Currently, oilseeds and spring cereals are still showing to be the furthest behind in their stages of development.
Southwest:
Limited rain fell throughout much of the region over the past week except for a few smaller areas within the region. The highest rain fell in the Richmound area at 17 mm. The Kyle and Moose Jaw areas both received 15 mm over the past week and the Shaunavon area received 13 mm. Many areas throughout the region are in desperate need of rain to support continued crop development and alleviate crop stress.
Reduced precipitation and increased temperatures continue to deplete topsoil moisture within the region. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 51 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and eight per cent very short.
Crop development remains relatively unchanged as compared to previous weeks, with the majority of crops falling into the normal stages of development for this time of year. Fall cereals have shown a larger increase in the per cent that are moving ahead in their normal stages of development for this time of year.
East-Central:
Rainfall was variable over the past week with many areas receiving reduced amounts and some areas receiving no rainfall. The highest rain fell in the Saskatoon area at 29 mm followed by the Pelly area at 20 mm. The Jedburgh area received 17 mm and the Foam Lake area received 14 mm over the past week. Areas in the region need rain to support continued crop development.
Reduced precipitation and increased temperatures have reduced topsoil moisture throughout the region. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as eight per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate and 11 per cent short.
Recent warmer weather has allowed for quicker crop development with more crops moving closer to their normal stages of development for this time of year as compared to previous weeks. Currently, oilseeds and spring cereals are still showing to be the furthest behind in their stages of development.
West-Central:
Rainfall was variable throughout the region with some areas receiving trace amounts of precipitation and other areas receiving increased amounts and hail. The highest amount of rain fell in the Macklin area at 48 mm followed by the Battleford area at 29 mm. Areas in the region will need rain soon to support continued crop development.
Reduced precipitation and increased temperatures have reduced topsoil moisture throughout the region. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 87 per cent adequate and 12 per cent short.
Recent warmer weather has allowed for quicker crop development with more crops moving closer to their normal stages of development for this time of year as compared to previous weeks. Currently, spring cereals and oilseeds are still showing to be the furthest behind in their stages of development.
Northeast:
Rainfall was variable throughout the region with some areas reporting heavier rain events. The highest rain recorded over the past week was in the Arborfield area at 40 mm. The Duck Lake and Choiceland areas both received 33 mm and the Prince Albert area received 30 mm.
Reductions to topsoil moisture were observed throughout the region over the past week. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 88 per cent adequate and six per cent short.
Recent warmer weather has allowed for quicker crop development with more crops moving closer to their normal stages of development for this time of year as compared to previous weeks. Currently, oilseeds and spring cereals are still showing to be the furthest behind in their stages of development.
Northwest:
Rainfall was widespread but with variable amounts throughout the region over the past week. The highest rain recorded fell in the Barthel area at 29 mm. The Frenchman Butte area received 26 mm followed by the Meadow Lake area at 23 mm. The Hafford and Speers areas received 11 mm of rain over the past week.
Reductions to topsoil moisture were observed throughout the region over the past week. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 86 per cent adequate and 13 per cent short.
Recent warmer weather has allowed for quicker crop development with more crops moving closer to their normal stages of development for this time of year as compared to previous weeks. Currently, oilseeds and spring cereals are still showing to be the furthest behind in their stages of development.
