Rains hit and miss Southwest according to Crop Report

Scattered showers delivered varying amounts of rain to the Southwest, helping to alleviate some concerns of dry conditions.

However the Saskatchewan Agriculture Crop Report for the period of June 26 to July 2 notes that some areas missed the rains in recent weeks and are now in need of significant rain to replenish the topsoil and help crops develop.

The Crop Report states that overall crops are in relatively good condition, although some continue to show signs of stress from lack of moisture.

During the crop reporting period, the Success area had the most rain at 29 millimetres, Webb had 18 mm, there was a much needed 16 mm in the Shaunavon area, 12 mm in the Gull Lake area, with 10 mm falling in the Pontiex, Leader and Consul areas.

Despite the rain, topsoil moisture conditions in the region have deteriorated slightly. Crop topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 43 per cent adequate, 46 per cent short and 10 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 30 per cent adequate, 45 per cent short and 25 per cent very short.

Haying operations continue in between rain showers. Twenty-four per cent of the hay crop has now been cut and 17 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as 48 per cent good and 52 per cent fair. Hay yields so far are much lower than average, but producers remain hopeful that a timely rain will help with a second cut.

Pastures in the Southwest are currently rated as three per cent surplus, 25 per cent good, 41 per cent fair, 24 per cent poor and seven per cent very poor.

There are increasing reports of wireworm and grasshopper damage in areas and some pulse crops are showing symptoms of root rot.

Crop Staging Table Stem Ext - 60%

Seedling - 27%

Flowering - 13%

Canola and Mustard Flowering - 54%

Rosette - 32%

Seedling - 10% Emerging - 2%

Podding - 2%

Pulse Crops Vegetative - 52% Flowering - 44%

Podding - 3%

Emerging - 1%