Saskatchewan Agriculture Reports Variable Rainfall Over the Past Week with Some Areas Hit by Wind Significant Rain and Hail

Saskatchewan Agriculture reports weather conditions varied over the past week with some regions receiving limited rainfall while others experienced heavy storms that brought wind, significant rain and hail resulting in damage to crops, buildings and machinery.Saskatchewan Agriculture released its weekly crop report Thursday for the period from June 17th to 23rd.

Kim Stonehouse, Crops Extension Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture based in Tisdale, says the highlight over the past week is that most of the province had rain.

Quote-Kim Stonehouse-Saskatchewan Agriculture:

Some regions received a limited amount of rainfall but others received heavy storms that brought wind and significant rain and hail to some areas.This has the potential to cause damage to crops, buildings and machinery.Right now, since it just happened recently, producers are continuing to asses the crop for hail recovery which will vary depending on the crop type, its developmental stage and the intensity of the hail.

Rainfall definitely increased the topsoil moisture conditions across the province this week.Provincially cropland topsoil moisture is rated at six percent surplus, 74 percent adequate, 16 percent short and four percent very short.The cooler temperatures this week have slowed crop development and this is a good thing because, if crop development is too fast, it likely means that they are running out of water and will advance to setting seed before they should and this could impact yield.

Right now, oilseeds are the furthest behind the normal stages of development for this time of year.Crops in the southwest region of the province are the furthest advanced while crops in the east central and northeast regions are furthest behind in development.Warmer temperatures and continued precipitation are needed to help this crop development process.

Stonehouse says this week we had some excess moisture due to the recent rains but that was very localised, dry conditions continue to be reported with some regions noting severe damage and minor frost damage was reported.He notes gophers continue to be a problem with minor to moderate damage reported, flea beetles are persisting and farmers are taking control measures when needed.