The condition of most Saskatchewan crops has deteriorated from two weeks ago, amid continued dryness in large parts of the province.
Thursday’s provincial crop report showed the good to excellent rating (as of Monday) for all crops - except for canary seed – down from the season’s initial ratings for the week ended June 2.
The condition of the chickpea crop saw the sharpest two-week fall, tumbling 35 points to just 51% good to excellent, with that portion of the crop rated fair rising to 38% from 14%. Other crops seeing a hefty decline in condition included durum, which fell 23 points from two weeks ago to 53% good to excellent as of Monday, and lentils, which dropped 19 points to 60%.
At 52% good to excellent as of Monday, the condition of the Saskatchewan canola crop was down 5 points from two weeks earlier, with the spring wheat crop falling to 55% good to excellent from 64% over the same period.
The oat and barley crops were rated 58% and 56% good to excellent as of Monday, compared to 61% and 67% two weeks earlier. The condition of the flax crop dropped 8 points to 66% good to excellent, and mustard was down 16 points at 51%. The condition of the soybean crop held up reasonably well, easing just 3 points to 82% good to excellent. The pea crop was rated 64% good to excellent as of Monday, down 11 points.
On the other hand, the condition of the canary seed crop improved 3 points from two weeks ago to 74% good to excellent.
Some of the worst condition ratings in the province are in the Northwest Region, where the lack of precipitation has been particularly acute.
The report said there were some isolated showers in the province over the past week with some areas seeing heavy rain and hail. While the moisture was welcome, the intensity of the storms left some crops damaged. The most rainfall reported over the week was in the Meadow Lake area which received 64 millimetres (mm). Other heavy rainfall amounts were reported in the Coleville area with 46 mm, the Bruno area with 40 mm and the Prince Albert area with 31 mm. Many other areas of the province received small spotty rains ranging between two to 10 mm, while others were fortunate enough to get upwards of 20 to 30 mm over the week.
Regardless, topsoil moisture conditions continue to decline provincially. Cropland topsoil moisture was rated 1% surplus, 40% adequate, 45% short and 14% very short as of Monday, compared to 2% surplus, 44% adequate, 42% short and 12% very short a week earlier.
Most crops are reported as being normal in their development for this time of year. However, many producers are reporting that without rain soon crop development will be delayed on later seeded crops and hastened for the more advanced crops as they respond to the drier conditions, the report said.
Dry conditions coupled with windy days were the largest source of crop damage this past week, with the severity ranging from minor to moderate depending on the region. There were many scattered hail events this past week with damage ranging from minor to severe. Fall seeded crops in later development stages were heavily impacted and are unlikely to recover, but less advanced crops should be able to bounce back, the report said. The heavy rains resulted in some flooding which has left crops washed out or sitting in standing water.
The full 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
