Saskatchewan crop conditions have plunged in the wake of continued dryness and heat.
The latest weekly crop report on Wednesday (released a day early due to the Canada Day holiday), showed the condition of the province’s spring wheat crop down 19 points from two weeks earlier to 54% good to excellent as of Monday. The condition of the durum crop fell even harder, down 29 points to 45% good to excellent, while the oat and barley crops nosedived 18 and 25 points, respectively, to 61% and 52%.
At 38% good to excellent as of Monday, the condition of the canola crop dropped 26 points from two weeks ago, while flax fell to 38% from 73%. The soybean crop dropped 24 points to 60% good to excellent.
In terms of pulse and special crops, the condition of the chickpea crop plunged 67 points to only 10% good to excellent, lentils fell 24 points to 49% and peas were down 25 points to 55%. The mustard crop was rated 29% good (0% excellent), down from 66% two weeks ago, and the canaryseed crop dipped a relatively modest 4 points to 61%.
Most of the province received rainfall this past week - ranging from nothing to 28 mm in the Vonda area - but it was not enough to improve soil moisture conditions or to offset the effects of the current heat wave, the report said. “Cooler temperatures and a good widespread rain is needed for the entire province.”
Moisture levels sharply declined this week. Cropland topsoil moisture was rated as 0% surplus, 31% adequate, 42% short and 27% very short as of Monday, versus 2% surplus, 56% adequate, 36% short and 6% very short a week earlier.
The majority of crop damage reported was from heat, dry winds, extremely dry soil conditions, insects and gophers.
Producers are busy finishing crop herbicide applications, moving cattle to market, scouting for pests and fixing equipment and beginning haying operations in some areas.
Southeast:
Rainfall was greatly appreciated this week but did very little to improve moisture conditions in the area. Producers are noticing low moisture stress symptoms developing on many crop, pasture and hay fields across the region. Hay land that has not received much rainfall this year is very short and thin.
Regionally, 63 per cent of the fall cereals, 58 per cent of the spring cereals, 57 per cent of the oilseed crops and 55 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. Crop conditions range from fair to good in the region, with 66 per cent of the spring wheat, 57 per of the canola and 54 per cent of the lentils being in good condition at this time.
The Tantallon area received the most rain in the region this week with 17 mm. With the high forecasted temperatures this moisture will soon disappear. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as zero per cent surplus, 41 per cent adequate, 46 per cent short and 13 per cent very short.
The majority of crop damage this week were from dry conditions, wind, gophers and insects such as cutworms, flea beetles and grasshoppers.
Southwest:
Extremely hot and windy days have impacted the crops in the region for the past week. Crops are rapidly advancing and many crops will begin to flower or head out in order to speed up their life cycles.
In the southwest region, 52 per cent of the fall cereals, 65 per cent of the spring cereals, 55 per cent of the oilseed crops and 58 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year.
Crop conditions range from poor to good in the region, with 26 per cent of the spring wheat, 31 per cent of the durum, 21 per of the canola and 35 per cent of the lentils being in good condition at this time.
Parts of the region received rainfall this week. The Gravelbourg area received the highest amount of rain in the region with 12 mm. Moisture conditions have declined severely in the region due to limited rainfall, consistent wind and heat. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as zero per cent surplus, 25 per cent adequate, 27 per cent short and 48 per cent very short.
East-Central:
Even though the region has received some localized rain showers the crops are slow to develop because of the high day time temperatures and overall lack of moisture.
The east-central region requires more rain and mid to low 20 degree temperatures to improve crop development. Areas that received rain have reported that crops are looking better, but more is needed.
Sixty-one per cent of the fall cereals, 64 per cent of the spring cereals, 62 per cent of the oilseed crops and 82 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. Crop conditions range from fair to good in the region, with 37 per cent of the canola, 55 per of the spring wheat and 84 per cent of the lentils being in good condition at this time. There have been reports of cereals heading and flowering in canola and pulse crops.
Rainfall in the region ranged from nil to 15 mm in the Kuroki area; the Elfros area 13 mm, the Semans area eight and the Raymore and Lipton areas received three mm. Moisture conditions have dropped in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 21 per cent adequate, 69 per cent short and ten per cent very short.
The majority of crop damage this week was from dry conditions, wind and gophers, as well as some damage from insects such as flea beetles, cutworms.
West-Central:
Crops in the region look very poor and have been struggling to develop under the constant stress of the dry growing conditions. Very little rain was received this week and overall this region has seen the least amount of rain since the beginning of the growing season. The heat and constant wind has put immense stress on crops, pasture and hay land in the region and without a good rain soon the situation could become even more dire.
Regionally, 86 per cent of the fall cereals, 59 per cent of the spring cereals, 55 per cent of the oilseed crops and 70 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. Crop conditions range from fair to good in the region, with 47 per cent of the durum, 33 per of the canola and 57 per cent of the lentils being in good condition at this time.
The west-central region did not receive adequate rainfall this week with very little amounts being reported across the region. The Saskatoon area received the most with 10 mm followed by Marengo with five mm. This moisture will quickly disappear as the forecasted temperatures are well above 30 C for the next week. The moisture conditions continue to deteriorate in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as zero per cent surplus,40 per cent adequate 43 per cent short and 17 per cent very short.
Some crops have begun to flower and head out in response to the heavy stress from the dry conditions they are suffering through. The majority of crop damage this week was from heat, wind and dry soil conditions.
Northeast:
The hot dry windy weather is taking its toll on the crops in the region, causing the crops to be stunted, especially in fields with lighter soils. The region did receive some rain this week but it was very localized and not enough was received to provide relief to crops and pastures.
Regionally, 63 per cent of the fall cereals, 79 per cent of the spring cereals, 63 per cent of the oilseed crops and 84 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. Crop conditions range from fair to good in the region, with 67 per cent of the spring wheat, 22 per of the canola and 54 per cent of the peas being in good condition at this time.
Rain in the region ranged from trace to 28 mm in the Vonda area and 20 mm in the Star City area. Moisture conditions have slightly declined in the region. Crop land topsoil moisture is rated as zero per cent surplus, 64 per cent adequate 29 per cent short and seven per cent very short.
Northwest:
Hot, dry conditions across the region have stunted crop development and with more extreme heat in the forecast, crops in the region are going to have very little soil moisture sustain themselves. Without more rain crops are at risk off rapidly maturing or dying off.
Sixty-two per cent of the spring cereals, 59 per cent of the oilseed crops and 67 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. Crop conditions range from fair to good in the region, with 41 per cent of the spring wheat, 26 per of the canola and 26 per cent of the peas being in good condition at this time.
Rain in the northwest region ranged from nil to 20 mm in areas around Duck Lake and 10 mm around the Meadow Lake area. With very little rainfall received in the region, crops are beginning to show signs of stress, have begun to head out and are very short. Moisture conditions have dropped drastically this week with cropland topsoil moisture rated as zero per cent surplus, nine per cent adequate, eleven per cent short and 80 per cent very short.
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