Warmer temperature and sunshine needed to advance Saskatchewan crop

Producers are reporting overall good crop, pasture and hay conditions throughout the province this week. However, crop development continues to fall behind for this time of year due to the cooler and wet conditions.

The rain continued to fall, sometimes heavy, particularly in central and western areas of the province during the reporting period of Jun. 25 to July 1.

Crops Extension Specialist Meghan Rosso said the potential for warmer temperatures and drier conditions in the coming weeks will be needed to support crop advancement and haying progress. She said excess moisture is continuing to contribute to flooding of crops in low lying areas.

“Some regions continue to report standing water in crops will have limited chance for crop recovery within these areas. Other areas of the field that are saturated are showing crop yellowing, stunting and root rot development due to the excess moisture stress,” Rosso said. “Hail and wind were also reported for the week, which resulted in minor to moderate crop damage.”

The amount of rainfall was variable over the past week across the province. The highest rainfall recorded fell in the Goodeve and Ituna areas at 143 mm and 133 mm respectively. The Rosetown and Biggar areas received 130 mm and 120 mm respectively. The Semans area received 112 mm and the Smiley area received 108 mm over the past week.

Varying stages of development are reported across the province with three per cent of winter cereals in the tillering stage, eight per cent at stem elongation, 22 per cent at flag leaf, 57 per cent heading and 10 per cent at the dough stage.

Five per cent of spring cereals are at the seedling stage with 33 per cent tillering, 33 per cent at stem elongation, 23 per cent at flag leaf and six per cent heading.

Six per cent of pulse crops are at the seedling stage with 71 per cent at the vegetative stage of development and 23 per cent flowering.

Fifteen per cent of canola and mustard are at the seedling stage, 48 per cent at the rosette stage, 26 per cent bolting and 11 per cent at the flowering stage.

Thirty-three per cent of the flax is at the seedling stage with 63 per cent at stem elongation and four per cent flowering.

Producers are reporting overall good pasture conditions throughout the province. Currently, 29 per cent of pastures are reported as excellent, 57 per cent are good, 13 per cent are fair and one per cent are reported as poor.

Producers had to delay or stop haying with the frequent and forecasted rains over the past week. Six per cent of the hay crop has received its first cut with three per cent baled or silage. Hay quality is rated as 25 per cent excellent, 69 per cent good and six per cent fair.

On a more positive note, the cool weather has slowed grasshopper development in many areas, but producers will still be monitoring their fields in the coming weeks.

As most producers wrap up weed spraying, some acres are yet to be covered due to the frequent rain and wind delays. Producers will be considering multiple applications of fungicides with the high moisture and humidity advancing disease.