The first Saskatchewan crop condition ratings for the 2024 growing season are mostly up from a year ago, although the scope of improvement is variable.
The weekly provincial crop report on Thursday pegged this year’s spring wheat crop at 87% good to excellent as of Monday, up a relatively modest 6 points from a year earlier, while the oat and barley ratings were 2 and 5 points higher, respectively, at 87% good to excellent for both. At 78% good to excellent, the condition of the canola crop was just a single point above a year ago.
On the other hand, the condition of the durum crop was rated 93% good to excellent as of Monday, an increase of 21 points from a year ago, while the lentil crop was 15 points better at 90% and the chickpea crop a major 31 points higher at 95%.
Gains for other crops fell somewhere in between. At 91% good to excellent, the condition of the flax crop was up 8 points on the year, with mustard up 14 points to 88%, and peas up 9 points to 91%. The canary crop was rated 89% good to excellent as of Monday, versus 84% last year.
The only crop to see a weaker condition rating compared to a year ago was soybeans, down 9 points at a still strong 83% good to excellent.
Much of the deterioration in last year’s Saskatchewan crops did not come until later in the growing season, when conditions turned increasingly dry. Indeed, last year at this time, some producers were reporting crop damage from flooding, just as they are this year.
Current cropland moisture conditions are rated as 8% surplus, 90% adequate and 2% short, compared to 4% surplus, 91% adequate and 4% short a week earlier and 2% surplus, 66%, adequate, 28% short, and 4% very short last year.
Rain fell throughout the province this past week, the report said, with the northeast region receiving the highest amounts. The Lake Lenore area reported the highest rainfall amount at 81 mm followed by the Arborfield area at 78 mm and the Duck Lake area at 76 mm.
Provincially, most producers have completed their seeding operations. However, rain has continued to hinder seeding operations in the northeast and east-central parts of the province.
“Some producers have indicated their acres may not be able to be seeded this year due to the excess moisture in some areas,” the report said.
Meanwhile, the later seeding and generally cool conditions are also taking a toll on the crops that are in the ground in terms of delayed development. Spring wheat and oilseed crops are the furthest behind the normal stages of development for this time of the year, the report said.
Crop damage in the province is overall reported as minor except for a few areas reporting high winds and excessive moisture. In addition to damage caused by crop flooding in low lying areas from excessive moisture, producers also note that crops are showing signs of stress due to the excess moisture in some regions of the province.
Flea beetles, grasshoppers and gophers continue to cause crop damage throughout many regions with some areas reporting minor to moderate crop damage.
Southeast:
Most producers have wrapped up seeding within the region apart from a few acres that are being seeded to greenfeed as conditions allow. Overall, producers are reporting good growing conditions with pasture and hayland looking promising within the region. Producers will be applying in-crop applications when weather permits and continuing to monitor crops over the coming week.
Rain fell throughout most of the region over the past week with a few scattered showers at the beginning of the week followed by more general rain as the reporting week ended. Topsoil moisture continues to increase in the region this week. Cropland topsoil moisture is six per cent surplus, 90 per cent adequate and four per cent short.
Overall, crops within the region are falling into the normal stages of development for this time of year. An increase in the per cent that are falling behind in development is due to the cooler temperatures, high winds and delays to seeding progress due to rainfall.
Southwest:
As seeding wraps up in the region, producers are busy continuing to monitor their crops and are beginning spray operations when weather permits. Producers report that the pasture and hayland is looking good within the region.
Rain was widespread throughout the region this week with the highest amount recorded in the Moose Jaw area at 34 mm. The continued rainfall is replenishing soil moisture within the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is three per cent surplus, 95 per cent adequate and two per cent short.
Crops within the region are falling mainly into the normal stages of development for this time of year. An increase in the percent that are falling behind in development is due to the cooler temperatures, high winds and delays to seeding progress due to rainfall.
East-Central:
Seeding was able to advance within the region despite rain delays over the past week. The east-central region overall is reporting 97 per cent seeding completion. Within the region, census division 9 is reporting 93 per cent seeding completion, census division 10 is reporting 97 per cent and census division 11 is reporting 99 per cent completion.
Rain was widespread throughout the region the past week with a few areas reporting increased amounts. The Foam Lake area reported the highest amount at 61 mm. Topsoil moisture continues to improve in the region this week. Cropland topsoil moisture is nine per cent surplus, 88 per cent adequate and three per cent short.
Although the majority of crops fall within the normal stages of development for this time of year, excessive moisture, cooler temperatures and windy conditions have slowed development. Oilseed crops are reported to be the furthest behind at 37 per cent.
West-Central:
Most producers have wrapped up seeding within the region. Overall, producers are reporting good growing conditions. Pastures are developing well, and producers are optimistic about potential hay crops within the region. Producers will be applying in-crop applications when weather permits and continuing to monitor crops over the coming week.
Rainfall was variable throughout the region with the east side of the region receiving higher amounts of rain over the past week. Topsoil moisture slightly increased in the region this week. Cropland topsoil moisture is one per cent surplus, 96 per cent adequate and three per cent short.
The majority of crops fall within the normal stages of development for this time of year, but excessive moisture and cooler temperatures have caused an increased number to fall behind in development. Oilseed crops are reported to be the furthest behind at 32 per cent.
Northeast:
Despite continued rain interruptions, seeding was able to advance within the region over the past week. The northeast region overall is reporting 95 per cent seeding completion. Census division 14 is reporting 96 per cent seeding completion and census division 15 is reporting 95 per cent completion. The current moisture status within the region is posing challenges to seeding completion with a few producers noting that unless the weather changes, they are unlikely to finish seeding some acres this year.
Rain fell throughout the region with many areas reporting heavy amounts. The highest amount recorded was in the Lake Lenore area at 81 mm. Topsoil moisture continues to increase with many areas reporting surplus moisture conditions. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated at 23 per cent surplus and 77 per cent adequate.
Although the majority of crops fall within the normal stages of development for this time of year, many are not advancing at the expected rate. This is due to excessive moisture, cooler temperatures and delays to seeding progress from rainfall. Fall cereals and oilseed crops are the furthest behind at 56 per cent and 41 per cent respectively.
Northwest:
Most producers have wrapped up seeding within the region, but excessive moisture is posing challenges to seeding completion in the region’s more northern areas. A few producers note that it is likely some acres will not be seeded due to the excessive moisture currently in the fields.
Rain fell throughout the region over the past week with heavy rainfall amounts recorded in the northern areas of the region. The highest amount recorded was in the Hafford area at 60 mm followed by the Meadow Lake area at 55 mm. Topsoil moisture continues to increase within the region this week. Cropland topsoil moisture is six per cent surplus and 94 per cent adequate.
Most crops fall within the normal stages of development for this time of year, but many are starting to fall behind in development. This is due to excessive moisture, cooler temperatures and delays to seeding progress from rainfall. Oilseed crops and annual forages are the furthest behind at 40 per cent and 37 per cent respectively.
