Hail, excessive moisture, insects caused the most crop damage in Saskatchewan

Thunderstorms swept across parts of the province, bringing moisture along with some hail and that means some producers will be assessing crop damage over the next week to determine the impact on yields.

According to the latest Saskatchewan Agriculture crop report, the most rainfall recorded was 115 millimetres (mm) in the Archerwill area, followed closely by the Beatty area with 85 mm. There was also notable rainfall in the Kinistino and Middle Lake areas with 75 mm and 65 mm, respectively.

Despite heavy rainfall in some locations, overall provincial topsoil moisture conditions declined from the previous week’s report.

Kim Stonehouse, a crops extension specialist, said other than hail, there were several other factors that contributed to crop damage.

“There was also grasshopper and flea beetle activity that has persisted and is causing some minor damage in some dry areas,” Stonehouse said. “In West Central, East Central and Northeast regions producers are reporting minor damage from excess moisture due to low spots filling from the storms that we’ve had over the last couple of weeks.”

Southern regions received limited rainfall. This continues to stress crops and accelerate crop development.

Crops developed swiftly over the last week while oilseed and annual forage crops are the furthest behind their normal stages this year but are significantly further ahead than last year.

Most livestock producers have started their first cuts of hay this year.