Higher number of crop pests blamed on dry conditions
Flea beetles and cutworms are making an appearance in higher than normal numbers across Saskatchewan fields, and the dry conditions aren’t helping.
“They can do a lot of damage in a very short amount of time. One of the reasons that we’re seeing some of these insects in higher populations right now is because of our delayed emergence as well as of our dry conditions,” said Shannon Friesen, crop management specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture in Moose Jaw.
“The crop itself hasn’t fully grown from where it can escape the damage and those bugs are actively looking for something to eat.”
She said producers have been spraying for the insects as needed, but many farmers are simply waiting for the crops to develop enough to overcome the damage and “catch up.”
Some rain would really help with that.
Friesen said the scattered showers over the last few days have been welcomed across the province, but more is needed to encourage crops to germinate and emerge.
Since Monday, the province’s southeast corner has had the most rain, according to Environment Canada, with Estevan receiving 34.2 millimetres on Tuesday.
Swift Current and the southwest corner have received next to nothing, and the rest of the province has averaged around five to 10 millimetres.
“We’ve had very hot temperatures and very strong winds over the last couple of weeks, so any moisture we did have in that topsoil layer has likely deteriorated,” said Friesen. “Every little bit helps. Of course, we would love to have a nice two-day soaker, but that’s not always how Saskatchewan works, unfortunately.”
Seeding across the province continues to make good progress, despite the dry conditions.
Ninety-one per cent of Saskatchewan’s crops are now planted, according to this week’s provincial crop report, up from 70 per cent last week.
The southwest region is farthest ahead with 95 per cent of the crop seeded, the southeast is at 93 per cent, west-central is at 92, northwest is at 90, northeast is at 87 and east-central is at 86 per cent seeded.
Now that seeding is nearly complete, Friesen said it is the perfect time for a good downpour.
“(Then) farmers can take a little break in between seeding and in crop pesticide applications, and of course any rain will allow that crop to germinate and get up,” she said. “In the next couple of weeks, hopefully we do get another nice rainfall go through so that those crops can really establish themselves.”
As of May 28, crop land topsoil moisture conditions were rated as one per cent surplus, 51 per cent adequate, 36 per cent short and 12 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture was rated as 38 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and 18 per cent very short.
Crop emergence has been patchy and delayed by dry conditions, and emerged crops are overall in poorto-good condition.