Crop Report May 26, 2008

Saskatchewan farmers have seeded 86 per cent of the 2008 crop, putting them ahead of the five-year (2003-07) average of 73 per cent, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's weekly crop report.

The southwest is furthest advanced at 91 per cent of the crop planted, and the northwest is least advanced at 77 per cent.  Early-seeded crops are emerging in all areas of the province. 

Half of fall cereal crops are rated at normal development and 48 per cent are rated behind in development.  Spring cereals are rated as 44 per cent normal and 53 per cent behind normal development.  Oilseeds are rated as 40 per cent normal and 58 per cent behind.  Pulse crops are rated as 48 per cent normal and 51 per cent behind. 

Crop reporters indicated that 49 per cent of crop land has adequate topsoil moisture, which is similar to last week's figures.  The balance of the crop land is rated as short to very short for topsoil moisture.  Provincially, reporters rate 39 per cent of hay and pasture land in an adequate topsoil moisture situation, similar to last week.  Weekend rain improved moisture conditions in southern areas of the province. 

Pasture conditions have improved since the end of April with almost 60 per cent of the pastures rated as fair to excellent, up from 46 per cent.  Livestock water supplies are rated as 78 per cent adequate, similar to the end of April.   

Wind, frost and dry conditions were the main sources of crop damage this past week.  Other sources of crop damage included gophers, flea beetles, pea leaf weevils, and cutworms.

For more information, contact:
Terry Bedard
Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
Regina
(306) 787-5956

South eastern Saskatchewan
(Crop Districts 1, 2, & 3ase)

The southeast was generally dry and windy during the past week, until rain arrived at the end of the week.  An average of 8 mm of precipitation was reported, ranging from an average low of 2 mm reported in Crop District (CD) 2a, to an average high of 15 mm reported in CD 1a.  The Moosomin area reported almost 40 mm on Saturday, May 24.  Wind and drought damage to crops was reported across the region.  The wind also caused some soil erosion.

South eastern reporters rate 26% of crop land as having adequate topsoil moisture, up from 18% last week.  On hay and pasture land, reporters rate 21% as having adequate topsoil moisture conditions, up from 9% last week.  In the Gainsborough area, some canola is being re-seeded due to wind or frost damage, while some winter wheat is being re-seeded to spring wheat due to dry conditions.

Seeding is reported as 90% complete, up from 71% last week.  Crop District 3ase is furthest ahead at 96% complete, while CD 1a reports 85% complete.  Crops are emerging across the region.  The weekend rain should help even out some patchy emergence.  Farmers will resume seeding flax now that it has rained.

In terms of crop development, 34% of the fall cereals are at normal development with 62% behind; 28% of the spring cereals are at normal development with 66% behind; 32% of the oilseeds are at normal development with 66% behind; and 27% of the pulse crops are at normal development with 70% behind.         

Pasture conditions have deteriorated in the southeast since late April.  Thirty-four per cent of the pastures are rated as being in fair to excellent condition, compared to 48% at the end of April.  Many livestock owners continue to feed hay and supplies are running out.  Some are looking at changing planting intentions to greenfeed due to the poor pastures and hay crop potential.    

Seventy-one per cent of the area has adequate water supplies for livestock - down slightly from 75% in late April.  In the Gainsborough area, dugouts are low and could soon run dry.    

Farmers have found it challenging to spray herbicides due to the strong winds.  Flea beetles were out in the Moosomin area.  Gophers were also damaging crops and hay.

South western Saskatchewan
(CDs 3asw, 3an, 3b, & 4)

The southwest received some welcome rain last week.  An average of 12 mm of precipitation was reported, ranging from an average low of 1 mm reported in CD 3an, to an average high of 21 mm reported in CD 4a.  Wind damage was reported across the area as well as some drought damage.  The wind also caused some soil erosion.  In the Chaplin and Reed Lake areas, visibility was often reduced substantially due to blowing alkali.

Topsoil moisture conditions on crop land improved over the past week in the southwest.  Reporters rate 41% of crop land as having adequate topsoil moisture, up from 34% last week.  Reporters rate 22% of hay and pasture land as having adequate topsoil moisture conditions, up from 15% last week. 

South western farmers have completed 91% of their seeding, up from 69% last week.  Crop Districts 3bn and 4b are furthest ahead at 95% complete, while CD 3asw is 86% done.  In the Marquis area, canola establishment is of concern and re-seeding may be necessary.  In the Glentworth area, some crops are being re-seeded because of frost and drought damage.  Several farmers in the Cadillac area are re-planting winter wheat fields.  The Hazenmore area will see about half of the winter wheat fields re-seeded.  It is hoped that the rain on the weekend will improve spotty, slow emergence.  With the rain, farmers will return to seeding flax.

In terms of crop development, 62% of the fall cereals are at normal development with 38% behind; 56% of the spring cereals are at normal development with 43% behind; 49% of the oilseeds are at normal development with 50% behind; and 64% of the pulse crops are at normal development with 35% behind.

Pasture conditions have improved since late April.  Fifty-five per cent of the pastures are rated as being in fair to excellent condition, compared to 35% at the end of April.  Hay crops are expected to be short. 

Fifty-three per cent of the area has adequate water supplies for livestock - up slightly from 49% in late April. 

Spraying operations are being delayed because the winds are too strong.  Winter wheat fields may soon be too far advanced for spraying.  Pea leaf weevils and cutworms damaged crops in the Gull Lake and Lac Pelletier areas.  Gophers continue to be out in large numbers and are causing crop and hay damage.

East central Saskatchewan
(Crop Districts 5 & 6a)

The east central region was dry and windy during the past week, with frost and some showers. An average of 6 mm of precipitation was reported, ranging from an average low of 4 mm reported in CDs 5a and 6a, to an average high of 11 mm reported in CD 5b.  There was some wind and drought damage to crops in the region.

East central reporters rated 52% of crop land as having adequate topsoil moisture, on par with last week.  For hay and pasture land, reporters rate 42% as having adequate topsoil moisture conditions, up from 37% last week.

East central farmers made good seeding progress with 83% complete across the region, up from 49% last week.  Crop District 5b is furthest ahead at 84% complete, while CD 5a reports 81% complete.  In the Langenburg area, some farmers report canola seeded two weeks ago has not germinated.  Germination is spotty in many areas.  In the Holdfast area, some canola emerged, but was badly damaged by wind and dry soil conditions.  In the Leroy area, some peas rotted in the cold soil.    

In terms of crop development, 35% of the fall cereals are at normal development with 63% behind; 38% of the spring cereals are at normal development with 59% behind; 28% of the oilseeds are at normal development with 69% behind; and 30% of the pulse crops are at normal development with 68% behind.

Pasture conditions have improved since the end of April when 39% of reporters rated conditions as fair to good.  At the end of May, 45% of reporters rate conditions as fair to good.  Feed stocks are running low because farmers still need to feed their cattle hay in many areas.   

Ninety-two per cent of the area has adequate water supplies for livestock - on par with the end of April. 

The windy days have made herbicide applications challenging.  There was a shortage of fertilizer in several areas, and for some farmers it was not clear that they would be able to get the fertilizer they need for seeding.

West central Saskatchewan
(Crop Districts 6b & 7)

This past week, west central regions were dry and windy with some showers.  An average of 3 mm of precipitation was reported, ranging from an average low of less than 1mm reported in CD 6b, to an average high of 4 mm reported in CD 7a.  Some wind and drought damage to crops was reported.  The winds also caused some soil erosion.                  

Topsoil moisture conditions on crop land deteriorated.  Reporters rated 57% of the crop land as having adequate moisture, down from 77% last week.  For pasture and hay land, reporters rated 43% as having adequate topsoil moisture conditions, down from 66% last week.

West central farmers made good seeding progress with 85% complete across the region, up from 48% last week.  Crop District 7 is furthest ahead at 87% complete, while CD 6b reports 80% complete.

In terms of crop development, 65% of the fall cereals are at normal development with 35% behind; 43% of the spring cereals are at normal development with 57% behind; 46% of the oilseeds are at normal development with 54% behind; and 49% of the pulse crops are at normal development with 51% behind.

Pasture conditions have improved since the end of April when 32% were rated as good to excellent.  At the end of May, 50% are rated as good to excellent.  Rain will be needed soon to revive slow-growing pastures. 

Ninety-six per cent of the area has adequate water supplies for livestock - compared with 90% at the end of April.

Fall crops are showing damage from wind and drought, and could use some rain.  Spraying is being done late in the evenings or early in the mornings to avoid the winds.  Supplies of sulfur fertilizer were short in the Arelee area.  Flea beetles were out in the Harris area.  Farmers were having trouble getting anhydrous and chemical in the Tramping Lake area.  Farmers were picking rocks, hauling grain, and rolling pulses.

North eastern Saskatchewan
(Crop Districts 8 & 9ae)

Weather in the northeast was windy this past week.  An average of 7 mm of precipitation was reported, ranging from an average low of 4 mm reported in CD 8b, to an average high of 10 mm reported in CD 9ae.           

Reporters rate 70% of the crop land and 66% of the hay and pasture land as having adequate topsoil moisture, up from 69% and 55% respectively. 

North eastern farmers made good seeding progress with 87% complete across the region, up from 51% last week.  Crop District 9ae is furthest ahead at 93% complete, while CD 8 reports 86% done.         

In terms of crop development, 62% of the fall cereals are at normal development with 38% behind; 58% of the spring cereals are at normal development with 36% behind; 60% of the oilseeds are at normal development with 35% behind; and 61% of the pulse crops are at normal development with 32% behind.

Pastures have improved in the northeast since late April when 24% of them were rated as fair to good.  At the end of May, 85% of reporters give the fair to good rating.  However, many producers are still feeding hay to their stock as pasture growth is slow.  Livestock water supplies are adequate for the area. 

Farmers have started to spray winter cereals, and are picking rocks, and rolling pulse crops.  Winds hampered spraying operations.  Potash fertilizer and ammonia were hard to come by in some areas.

North western Saskatchewan
(Crop Districts 9aw & 9b)

The northwest was generally warm and windy during the past week.  An average of 5 mm of precipitation was reported, ranging from an average low of 3 mm reported in CD 9aw, to an average high of 7 mm reported in CD 9b.  There is some concern of frost damage to emerging crops.          

Topsoil moisture conditions deteriorated during the past week.  Reporters rated 69% of crop land and hay and pasture land as having adequate topsoil moisture, down from 85% and 86%, respectively, last week.  

North western farmers have planted 77% on average across the region, up from 39% last week.  Germination has been spotty in some areas.

In terms of crop development, 75% of the fall cereals are at normal development with 25% behind; 43% of the spring cereals are at normal development with 57% behind; 42% of the oilseeds are at normal development with 58% behind; and 44% of the pulse crops are at normal development with 56% behind.

Seventy-two per cent of north western pastures are in fair to good condition, similar to the end of April.  Pastures need heat and rain.  Cattle are being turned out to pastures as hay supplies run short.  Livestock water supplies are adequate in most of the region.

Spraying operations are hampered by the winds.  There were some shortages of sulfur fertilizer.