Crop Report for the Period May 26 to June 1, 2009

Seeding for the 2009 crop year is 95 per cent complete, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's weekly crop report. All regions are reporting above 90 per cent of seeding completed.

Crops that have emerged are behind normal in development stages.  Across the province, 63 per cent of fall cereals, 73 per cent of spring cereals, 78 per cent of oilseeds and 67 per cent of the pulse crops are reported behind normal in development.

The majority of crop conditions are being reported as fair to good in all regions of the province. Fall seeded crops are reported to be at least 80 per cent; spring wheat at 86 per cent; durum is rated as 80 per cent; oats at 92 per cent; barley at 88 per cent; triticale at 92 per cent; flax at 87 per cent; canola at 85 per cent; mustard at 81 per cent; sunflowers at 94 per cent; lentils at 75 per cent; field peas at 84 per cent; canary seed at 66 per cent and chickpeas at 92 per cent in fair to good condition.

Topsoil moisture conditions in the west-central and northwest regions are declining.  In the west-central region, 41 per cent and 46 per cent of the crop land topsoil moisture conditions are short to very short, respectively. Thirty-seven and 56 per cent of the hay and pasture topsoil moisture conditions in this region are reported as short and very short.  Provincially, topsoil moisture conditions on crop land are 59 per cent adequate and 31 per cent short and 10 per cent very short.  Provincial hay and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are being reported as 46 per cent adequate, 38 per cent short and 15 per cent very short.

Frost did occur in almost all regions of the province last week. The severity of the damage to crops is still being assessed. Other sources of crop damage included flea beetles, gophers and dry conditions. Very little rain was reported last week; however the northeast region received 17 mm in some areas.

Farmers are busy controlling weeds, rolling pulses, scouting fields and taking cattle to pasture.

Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation Report - June 4

Saskatchewan Crop Insurance customers should note the following important dates:

Effective June 10, full yield-loss coverage is applicable to winter wheat and fall rye to be grazed and/or cut for feed.

June 10 is also the final day to finalize claims on over-winter extensions.

While the deadline to plant processing and table potatoes is June 10, the deadline to plant seed potatoes is June 15.

The deadline to submit establishment benefit claims and gopher damage claims (excluding greenfeed) is June 20.

Forage acres with the Forage Establishment Benefit Option must be seeded by June 20.

Crop Insurance will not accept yield-loss liability for any spring crops seeded after June 20, with full yield-loss coverage beginning the following day on established spring and fall-seeded crops (excluding greenfeed).

Southeastern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 1, 2, and 3ASE)

South eastern Saskatchewan has 94 per cent of the crop in the ground, up from 76 per cent last week. Conditions during the day were seasonal and windy.  Temperatures dipped below zero during a couple nights in some areas.  In the Weyburn area, the temperature one night fell to -3°C.

Topsoil moisture conditions for crop land are reported as 78 per cent adequate and 18 per cent short.  Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture conditions are 57 per cent adequate and 38 per cent short. Only trace amounts of rain fell in the region.

Most of the crop damage was due to frost and flea beetles. Some areas are reporting that dry conditions are delaying crop development.

Crop reporters noted germination and emergence of crops is uneven in some areas. Crops are emerging slowly.

Farmers are busy controlling weeds, land rolling, moving cattle to pasture.

Southwestern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 3ASW, 3AN, 3B and 4) 

Ninety-seven per cent of the 2009 crop is in the ground. Weather conditions were generally warm and windy and cooling off at night. Very little rain fell in the region. The areas around Hazenmore and Vanguard received 7 mm of rain. There was frost in some areas. The area around Maple Creek had one night with the temperature dipping to -3°C.

Topsoil moisture conditions are declining from last weeks report. Crop land topsoil moisture was reported as 50 per cent adequate, 38 per cent short and 11 per cent very short. Topsoil moisture conditions on hay and pasture land are rated as 51 per cent adequate, 28 per cent short and 21 per cent very short.

Crops are emerging. Frost and dry conditions were the main sources of crop damage. It is too early to tell the extent of the frost damage. Crops are in very much need of moisture. Emergence of crops in some areas is patchy. Pastures and hay crops in some areas are slow to grow and in need of moisture.

Farmers are controlling weeds in crop when weather allows, taking cattle to pasture and controlling gophers.

There was a cow moose spotted with twin calves.

East-Central Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 5 and 6A)

Farmers have seeded an average of 91 per cent of the crop, up from 67 per cent seeded last week. The days were windy and it was a bit warmer compared to last week.  Temperatures dipped below zero for a few nights in some areas. Very little rain was recorded in this region.  

Topsoil moisture conditions for cropland are 78 per cent adequate.  Hay and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are 61 per cent adequate and 36 per cent short.

Crops are starting to emerge.  Crop damage was mostly due to frost on canola crops. It is too early to assess the extent of the frost damage to crops.

Farmers were busy with in crop weed control and taking cattle to pasture. Dandelions are reported to be a problem this year.

West-Central Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 6B and 7)

An average of 95 per cent of the 2009 crop has been seeded. Warmer and windy days made up the majority of the week.  Some areas received trace amounts of rain. There were a couple of incidences of frost at night where temperatures were -1 and -4°C.

Cropland topsoil moisture conditions for the area are 12 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and 46 per cent very short.  Hay and pasture land is sitting at 6 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and 56 per cent very short. Topsoil moisture conditions have declined since last week's Crop Report.

Crop damage was mainly due to frost and dry conditions.  The extent of the frost damage is not yet known. Some seeding intentions have been altered due to dry conditions. Germination is slow and uneven from lack of moisture. Moisture is very much needed.

Farmers are busy controlling weeds when the weather allows, rolling pulses and scouting fields.  

Northeastern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 8 and 9AE)

The northeast had 97 per cent of the crop seeded. The nights were generally cool, with warm, windy days. CD 8A received an average of 7 mm, 8B- 4 mm and 9AE- 10 mm. The areas around Hoey and Nipawin received an average of 14 mm of rain. There are still areas that would appreciate a good rain. There were areas that reported light to fairly heavy frost during a couple nights. Temperatures at times during the nights ranged from 0 to -5°C.

Crops are starting to emerge, however emergence is slow. Some crops are coming up patchy. The frost and flea beetles were the cause of crop damage that was reported.  

Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are 72 per cent adequate and 27 per cent short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture conditions are 36 per cent adequate, 50 per cent short and 16 per cent very short.

Farmers are busy scouting fields, and controlling weeds when weather allows.

Northwestern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 9AW and 9B)

On average, 95 per cent of the crop had been seeded. Warm days and light frost at night was reported.  Some areas did receive some rain, while others are still very dry.  The moisture that was received was definitely welcomed.  Crop District 9AW had an average of 4 mm of rain. CD 9B had an average of 6 mm of moisture.  R.M # 588 received 13 to 17mm of rain.

Crop land topsoil moisture conditions are currently 54 per cent adequate and 45 per cent short. The hay and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are 36 per cent adequate, 54 per cent short and nice per cent very short.  Frost and dry conditions resulted in some crop damage. 

Crops are starting to emerge. Emergence is patchy.  Windy conditions have made weed control a challenge.  Hay and pasture have very slow growth and are in need of moisture.

Farmers are busy seeding crops for green feed, controlling weeds and gophers.