The condition of most Saskatchewan crops has weakened from two weeks ago.
Thursday’s provincial crop report said producers in the southwest region, along with some areas in the northwest, are reporting moderate to severe crop damage due to lack of moisture. Meanwhile, minor to moderate crop damage due to dry conditions, heat and wind is being reported in many areas of the province.
The chickpea crop saw the sharpest two-week decline, dropping 13 points from June 30 to 59% good to excellent as of Monday. The condition of the oat crop was down 7 points to 65% good to excellent, with barley and soybeans both down 6 points at 58% and 85% good to excellent, respectively.
The condition of the spring wheat and durum crops fell 3 and 2 points, down to 63% and 45% good to excellent, while the mustard and canary crops eased 3 points and 1 point to 35% and 73%. The condition of the canola crop held unchanged from two weeks earlier at 60% good to excellent.
On the other hand, the condition of the flax crop improved 3 points to 68%, lentils jumped 9 points to 68%, and peas climbed 4 points to 73%.
While crop conditions vary across the province, “crops overall are reported to be in good to fair condition,” the report said. But in areas with a lack of moisture, reports indicate that canola and mustard are finishing the flowering stage early.
Most crops are in normal stages of development, consistent with what has been reported in previous weeks.
Many areas across the province received varying amounts of moisture this past week, and a few isolated storms moved through the province and brought hail, the report said. The highest rain recorded over the past week was in the Ponteix area at 44 mm, followed by the Shaunavon area at 39 mm. The Semans and Lafleche areas each received 37 mm. Meanwhile, cooler conditions over the past week will benefit some crops by slowing development, the report added.
Cropland topsoil moisture across the province was rated 60% adequate, 32% short and 8% very short as of Monday, versus rated 55% adequate, 33% short, and 12% very short the previous week.
Additional crop damage this past week was mainly due to gophers and grasshoppers. Overall, pest pressure is lower throughout many regions, but producers are continuing to monitor their fields for any changes, the report said.
The full report can be found here:
https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/agriculture-natural-resources-and-industry/agribusiness-farmers-and-ranchers/market-and-trade-statistics/crops-statistics/crop-report
