Rain and cooler weather have helped relieve stress on many moisture-starved Saskatchewan crops.
The rain that fell through wide parts of the province over the weekend was a positive sign for many producers, said the latest weekly provincial crop report on Thursday. However, even within regions that received the rain the impact on crop and pasture conditions was variable, it added.
“In some areas, the rain came just in time to carry crops forward through flowering and grain fill, while in other areas the rain came too late to make a difference to crops or pastures.”
Topsoil moisture is highly variable, depending on region, but most regions have seen an improvement after the recent rainfall. Provincially, cropland topsoil moisture was rated 2% surplus, 71% adequate, 22% short and 5% very short as of Monday. That compares with 60% adequate, 32% short and 8% very short a week earlier, and 50% adequate, 40% short and 10% very short at this time last year.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated the worst in the province’s Northwest Region at 65% short to very short, with the Southeast the best at just 15% short to very short.
In the Northwest, this past week’s scattered showers brought some momentary relief to crops and pastureland in the region, the report said. “However, conditions were so dry previously that more rain is desperately needed soon. Producers report that in areas that missed the rain crops continue to deteriorate and dry down and some crops have been taken off as livestock feed.”
The Eston area reported the most rain this past week at 83 millimetres (mm), followed by the Bethune area with 74 mm, and finally the Admiral area reported 68 mm. There were many areas that reported rainfall from 15 mm to 50 mm, while other areas saw rainfall ranging from 2 mm to 15 mm.
Producers report their crops are still showing damage and stress from the numerous weeks of heat and overly dry conditions this growing season. Gophers and grasshoppers are causing minor to moderate damage to crops this week with some areas seeing higher damage depending on pest populations.
With the large amounts of rainfall seen in some areas, flooding was a concern for some producers as low spots in their fields have filled with water. The rain and strong winds have also led to cereal crops lodging across many regions, and producers are hopeful the damage is minor and their crops can recover in time for harvest.
Meanwhile, crop development has leveled out closer to normal for the province, and crops should use the recent rain and cooler temperatures to develop at a regular pace rather than rush or delay development due to stress. Crop development varies from region to region, with drier areas showing the most accelerated crop development, the report said.
The full crop report can be seen here:
https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/agriculture-natural-resources-and-industry/agribusiness-farmers-and-ranchers/market-and-trade-statistics/crops-statistics/crop-report
