Saskatchewan cropland soil moisture continued to decline this past week with more warm temperatures and only spotty rainfall.
The weekly crop report Thursday pegged soil moisture in the province at 85% short to very short as of Monday, up sharply from 57% the previous week and just 23% in early May when most crops were first being seeded.
Pockets of moisture moved through the province this past week, with the greatest amounts, at more than 30mm, falling near Old Wives in the southern part of the province. However, just trace amounts of moisture were reported in most other areas, with some receiving no rain at all. In the drought-plagued Southwest region, topsoil moisture is now rated 94% short to very short, amid reports of producers considering the possibility of simply using their grain crops for feed this year.
Crop damage this past week was mostly due to dry conditions and grasshoppers and there are also a few reports of disease, the report said. Producers are being encouraged to look at their economic thresholds while scouting for grasshoppers, it added.
Haying is ongoing but few producers are expecting a second cut this year and some are expressing concerns of feed shortages this winter due to dryness.
Meanwhile, crops in the province are developing quickly with the warm temperatures. An estimated 61% of fall cereals are at normal stages of development for this time of year, while 35% are ahead. Spring cereals are 55% in their normal stage of development, and 37% are ahead. Oilseeds are at 58% normal and 33% ahead in terms of development. Pulses advanced slightly and are now 35% ahead of normal stages of development for this time of year, while 61% are at normal stages of development.
Southeast:
Crops and haying are progressing quickly in the southeast. Pockets of rain moved through the southeast this week, with the highest in the region, 28 mm being reported in the Pense area. The warm weather seen throughout the region this week led to a decrease in soil moisture. Cropland topsoil moisture is 19 per cent adequate, 57 per cent short and 24 per cent very short.
Crops are continuing to develop at mostly normal rates for this time of year. Pulse crops are the most ahead in development for this time of year, with 22 per cent of the crop ahead of normal. Oilseeds are the furthest behind in development, with 19 per cent of the crops behind normal stages of development for this time of year.
Haying is nearing completion, with 69 per cent of the first cut of hay baled or silaged in the southeast, 14 per cent is still standing and 17 per cent is cut. The hay is of good quality and producers are not anticipating a second cut of hay for the year. Depending on the type of hay, yields are estimated to be between 1.8 (greenfeed) and 1.1 (wild) tons per acre. Silage yields overall are estimated to be 5.3 tons/acre.
Crop damage this week is due to dry conditions and grasshoppers in the area. Producers are busy finishing haying, scouting their fields and preparing for harvest.
Southwest:
Crops are progressing quickly in the area because of the recent warm and dry conditions. Scattered rain events were seen in the Southwest this past week. The most recorded was 33 mm in the Old Wives area, while other areas received trace amounts or no rain at all. Topsoil moisture remains relatively unchanged this week. Cropland topsoil moisture is six per cent adequate, 49 per cent short and 45 per cent very short.
Fall cereals are the most advanced and are equally split between being ahead of, or at normal stages of development. Spring cereals are the furthest behind in development, with four per cent of the crop behind normal stages of development.
Crop damage this past week is due to drought conditions and grasshoppers. Producers are expressing thoughts about using grain crops for feed this year, as well as concerns about feed shortages. Producers are busy finishing haying, scouting for grasshoppers and preparing for harvest.
East-Central:
Warm temperatures ensured producers had an uninterrupted week of haying and crop development. Soil moisture reserves from this past spring have run out in the east-central region and producers are hoping for rain in the area soon.
Little precipitation was received in the region this past week. Semans reported the most rain, with 10 mm. Soil moisture diminished in the east-central region this week and cropland topsoil moisture is now 15 per cent adequate, 57 per cent short and 29 per cent very short.
Crops are generally at normal stages of development for this time of year. Spring cereals are the most ahead of normal stages of development, at 11 per cent. Fall cereals are the most behind normal stages of development, with 16 per cent behind.
Crop damage this week is due to dry conditions and grasshoppers. Producers are busy finishing haying and scouting their fields.
West-Central:
The west-central region has progressed through haying rapidly and are the most advanced in haying progress. With the region experiencing drought, many producers are hoping for rain to replenish soil moisture reserves.
Very little rain was received in the west-central region this week and, therefore, there was little relief for crops in this moisture-stressed area. The greatest amount of rain recorded this week was in Unity, with 18 mm being reported. Topsoil moisture remains relatively unchanged this week. Sixteen per cent of cropland has adequate moisture, 55 per cent is short and 28 per cent is very short.
The majority of crops in the region are at normal stages of development for this time of year. Oilseeds are the most ahead of normal stages of development. Spring cereals are the most behind, with nine per cent of the crop behind normal stages of development for this time of year.
Crop damage this week is due to drought conditions and grasshopper damage. Many producers are busy scouting for grasshoppers, while also preparing for harvest.
Northeast:
Crops are progressing quickly in the northeast with the warm and dry weather. Producers are hoping for rain soon to help maintain soil moisture reserves.
Little precipitation was received in the region this week. The Arborfield area received the most at five mm. Other areas in the region reported only trace amounts or none at all. Soil moisture saw a slight decrease this past week. Seventeen per cent of cropland has adequate topsoil moisture, 74 per cent is short and nine per cent is very short.
Crops are progressing quickly in the northeast region. Fall cereals are now 94 per cent ahead of normal stages of development for this week. Oilseeds are the least advanced in stages of development, with 53 per cent being at normal stages.
Crop damage this week is mainly due to dry conditions. Producers are busy finishing haying and are preparing for harvest.
Northwest:
Producers in the northwest are hoping for more rain to move through the region to help as the crops develop. Areas that did receive rain this week are grateful for the moisture.
Scattered showers moved through the region this week. The Glaslyn area reported the most rain in the region, with 26 mm being received. A large decrease in soil moisture accompanied the heat this past week. For cropland, 31 per cent has adequate soil moisture, 57 per cent is short and 13 per cent is very short.
Crops in the northwest are mainly in normal stages of development for this time of year. Spring cereals are the most advanced, with 41 per cent of the crop ahead of normal for this time of year. Oilseeds are the most behind, with three per cent behind normal for this time of year.
Crop damage this week is due to lack of moisture. Producers are busy haying and preparing for harvest.
