Warmer, Drier Forecast Welcome for Many Saskatchewan Crops 

Saskatchewan crop conditions remain good overall, but many producers are nonetheless looking forward to warmer and drier weather to accelerate still-lagging crop development. 

Thursday’s weekly crop report said excess moisture continues to be the main cause of crop damage in the province, with some areas reporting severe issues.  

“Some regions continue to report that low lying areas have standing water with limited chance for crop recovery within these areas,” the report said. “Other areas of the field that are saturated have crop yellowing, stunting and root rot development due to moisture stress.” 

Amid the cool, wet weather, crop development continues to fall behind normal 

for this time of year, the report said. However, forecasts call for warming temperatures and less rain into next week, which should assist crops in getting back on track.  

Despite the generally wet provincial conditions, some regions would still welcome more rain, including the Southwest where topsoil moisture is currently rated 11% short. In contrast, topsoil moisture in the East-Central region is now rated one-third surplus, with the Northeast at 23% surplus. 

Rainfall across the province was variable this past week, with the heaviest amounts falling in the Goodeve and Ituna areas at 143 mm and 133 mm, respectively. Cropland topsoil moisture was rated as 14% surplus, 80% adequate and 6% short as of Monday, compared to 8% surplus, 83% adequate and 9% short a week earlier. 

Minor to moderate crop damage from hail and wind was also reported this past week. Gophers continue to be a problem, notably in canola, with some areas reporting moderate to severe damage. 

Southeast: 

Producers are working around the challenging weather conditions to wrap up herbicide applications. Over the next week they will be moving into fungicide applications and continuing with haying operations. Fields will continue to be monitored for pest and disease development within the region. 

Although rainfall amounts were variable, all areas in the region reported rainfall for the past week. A few areas reported isolated hail events as well. The Langenburg area reported the highest rainfall at 90 mm followed by the Ituna area at 87 mm. Topsoil moisture remains adequate for the region, but some areas are reporting increases to surplus moisture along with other areas reporting increases in short moisture conditions due to lack of rainfall. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 15 per cent surplus, 75 per cent adequate, nine per cent short and one per cent very short.  

Producers are looking forward to warmer weather to assist crop advancement. Varying stages of development are reported across the region: 

• One per cent of winter cereals are in the tillering stage, 11 per cent at stem elongation, eight per cent at flag leaf, 60 per cent heading and 20 per cent at the dough stage. 

• Four per cent of spring cereals are at the seedling stage with 22 per cent tillering, 29 per cent at stem elongation, 30 per cent at flag leaf and 15 per cent heading. 

• Five per cent of pulse crops are at the seedling stage with 65 per cent at the vegetative stage of development and 30 per cent flowering. 

• One per cent of canola and mustard are at the pre-emergent stage, 14 per cent at the seedling stage, 37 per cent at the rosette stage, 35 per cent bolting and 13 per cent at the flowering stage. 

• Twenty-four per cent of the flax is at the seedling stage with 70 per cent at stem elongation and six per cent flowering. 

Southwest: 

Producers are working to wrap up any remaining herbicide applications and over the next week will be moving into fungicide applications. The anticipated drier and warmer weather will help to advance haying operations within the region with some producers just starting. Fields will continue to be monitored for pest and disease development within the region. 

Rain fell throughout the region over the past week at varying amounts. The Limerick area reported the highest rainfall at 86 mm followed by the Swift Current area at 57 mm. Topsoil moisture increased in the region over the past week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 89 per cent adequate and 11 per cent short.  

Producers report that crops are in generally good condition, but some moisture would be welcome in the areas that have been receiving little rainfall. Varying stages of development are reported across the region: 

• Eighteen per cent of winter cereals are at the flag leaf stage with 77 per cent heading and five per cent at the dough stage. 

• One per cent of spring cereals are at the pre-emergent stage with eight per cent at the seedling stage, 26 per cent tillering, 31 per cent at stem elongation, 24 per cent at flag leaf and 10 per cent heading. 

• Six per cent of pulse crops are at the seedling stage with 68 per cent at the vegetative stage of development and 26 per cent flowering. 

• Six per cent of canola and mustard are at the seedling stage, 29 per cent at the rosette stage, 33 per cent bolting, 31 per cent flowering and one per cent at the podded stage. 

• Fifty-eight per cent of the flax is at the seedling stage with 38 per cent at stem elongation and four per cent flowering. 

East-Central: 

Producers are working around the challenging weather conditions to wrap up herbicide applications. Over the coming weeks producers will be moving into fungicide applications with some having already sprayed fungicides. As the weather permits, haying operations will continue. Fields will continue to be monitored for pest and disease development within the region. 

Rain was widespread throughout the region with many areas reporting significant amounts for the past week. The Goodeve area reported the highest rainfall at 143 mm followed by the Ituna area at 133 mm. The region continues to report increases in surplus topsoil moisture. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 33 per cent surplus, 65 per cent adequate and two per cent short.  

Producers are looking forward to warmer weather to assist crop advancement. Varying stages of development are reported across the region: 

• One per cent of winter cereals are in the tillering stage, two per cent at stem elongation, 20 per cent at flag leaf, 63 per cent heading and 14 per cent at the dough stage. 

• One per cent of spring cereals are at the pre-emergent stage with seven per cent at the seedling stage, 36 per cent tillering, 30 per cent at stem elongation, 22 per cent at flag leaf and five per cent heading. 

• Three per cent of pulse crops are at the seedling stage with 82 per cent at the vegetative stage of development and 15 per cent flowering. 

• One per cent of canola and mustard are at the pre-emergent stage, 19 per cent at the seedling stage, 53 per cent at the rosette stage, 25 per cent bolting and two per cent at the flowering stage. 

• Fifty-four per cent of the flax is at the seedling stage with 46 per cent at stem elongation. 

West-Central: 

Producers are working to wrap up any remaining herbicide applications as the weather allows. Over the coming weeks producers will be moving into fungicide applications with some having already sprayed fungicides. The anticipated drier and warmer weather will help to advance haying operations within the region with some producers just starting. Fields will continue to be monitored for pest and disease development within the region. 

Rain was widespread throughout the region with many areas reporting significant amounts for the past week. The Rosetown area reported the highest rainfall at 130 mm followed by the Biggar area at 120 mm. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 11 per cent surplus, 86 per cent adequate and three per cent short.  

Producers are looking forward to warmer weather to assist crop advancement. Varying stages of development are reported across the region: 

• Six per cent of winter cereals are in the tillering stage, six per cent at stem elongation, 25 per cent at flag leaf, 50 per cent heading and 13 per cent at the dough stage. 

• Six per cent of spring cereals are at the seedling stage, 40 per cent tillering, 35 per cent at stem elongation, 16 per cent at flag leaf and three per cent heading. 

• Four per cent of pulse crops are at the seedling stage with 85 per cent at the vegetative stage of development and 11 per cent flowering. 

• Eight per cent of canola and mustard are at the seedling stage, 66 per cent at the rosette stage, 20 per cent bolting and six per cent at the flowering stage. 

• Thirteen per cent of the flax is at the seedling stage with 86 per cent at stem elongation and one per cent flowering. 

Northeast: 

Producers are working to wrap up any remaining herbicide applications as the weather allows. Over the coming weeks producers will be moving into fungicide applications with some having already sprayed fungicides. The anticipated drier and warmer weather will help to advance haying operations within the region with some producers just starting. Fields will continue to be monitored for pest and disease development within the region. 

Rain fell throughout the region over the past week at varying amounts. The Rose Valley area received the highest amount at 55 mm followed by the St. Brieux area at 54 mm.  Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 23 per cent surplus and 77 per cent adequate.  

Producers are looking forward to warmer weather to assist crop advancement. Varying stages of development are reported across the region: 

• One per cent of winter cereals are in the tillering stage, four per cent at stem elongation, 85 per cent at flag leaf and ten per cent heading. 

• Three per cent of spring cereals are at the seedling stage with 40 per cent tillering, 43 per cent at stem elongation and 14 per cent at the flag leaf. 

• Four per cent of pulse crops are at the seedling stage with 80 per cent at the vegetative stage of development and 16 per cent flowering. 

• Nineteen per cent of canola and mustard are at the seedling stage, 61 per cent at the rosette stage, 18 per cent bolting and two per cent at the flowering stage. 

• Twenty-one per cent of the flax is at the seedling stage with 71 per cent at stem elongation and eight per cent flowering. 

Northwest: 

Producers are finishing up any remaining herbicide applications and moving into fungicide applications with some having already sprayed fungicides. The anticipated drier and warmer weather will help to advance haying operations within the region with some producers just starting. Fields will continue to be monitored for pest and disease development within the region. 

Rain fell in varying amounts over the past week throughout the region. The highest rainfall recorded fell in the Radison area at 85 mm followed by the Hafford area at 43 mm. Topsoil moisture dropped slightly in the region over the past week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 10 per cent surplus, 87 per cent adequate and three per cent short.  

Producers are looking forward to warmer weather to assist crop advancement. Varying stages of development are reported across the region: 

• Twelve per cent of winter cereals are at the flag leaf stage with 88 per cent at heading. 

• Two per cent of spring cereals are at the seedling stage with 35 per cent tillering, 38 per cent at stem elongation, 23 per cent at flag leaf and two per cent at heading. 

• Two per cent of pulse crops are at the seedling stage with 87 per cent at the vegetative stage of development and 11 per cent flowering. 

• Twelve per cent of canola and mustard are at the seedling stage, 54 per cent at the rosette stage, 32 per cent bolting and two per cent at the flowering stage. 

• One hundred per cent of the flax is reported at the stem elongation stage.