Crop Report for the Period June 2 to June 8, 2009

Seeding for the 2009 crop is virtually complete, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's Crop Report.  Ninety-nine per cent of the crop is in the ground.

Across the province, 19 per cent of spring cereals have yet to emerge, 64 per cent have emerged and 15 per cent have reached the tillering stage. Among the fall-seeded crops, 53 per cent are in the tillering stage, 22 per cent are in the jointing stage, 16 per cent are in the shot-blade stage and seven per cent are in the heading stage. Forty-one per cent of the flax crop has yet to emerge, 48 per cent has emerged and nine per cent has reached the seedling stage.

Of the province's canola and mustard crops, 23 per cent have yet to emerge, 48 per cent have emerged and 24 per cent have reached the seedling stage. Eight per cent of the pea crop has yet to emerge, 59 per cent has emerged and 33 per cent is developing leaves.

The precipitation that some parts of the province received last week has improved the provincial average topsoil moisture situation. Cropland topsoil moisture is now rated at 66 per cent adequate, 27 per cent short and six per cent very short. Hay land and pasture moisture conditions are reported as 56 per cent adequate, 32 per cent short and 12 per cent very short. Very little precipitation fell in the west-central and northwestern regions of the province where crop, hay and pasture land is most in need of moisture.

Some crops are showing signs of stress from the frost that hit most of the province last week. There have been reports of canola and flax being reseeded. In addition to the frost and lack of moisture, flea beetles and gophers are also damaging crops.

Farmers are busy controlling weeds, picking rocks and hauling grain.

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

Southeastern Saskatchewan has 98 per cent of the crop in the ground.  Conditions were generally cool and frosty on most nights, with temperatures ranging from zero to -4°C.  The region received an average of 23 mm of rain.

Topsoil moisture conditions have improved from last week as conditions are being reported as 95 per cent adequate and four per cent short on cropland.  Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture conditions are 84 per cent adequate and 15 per cent short.

Most of the crop damage was due to frost and flea beetles. The crops are showing signs of stress due to the frost. There were some reports of farmers reseeding canola.  Crop reporters noted that germination and emergence of crops is uneven in some areas. Crops are developing slowly due to cool weather.  There are also concerns over the continued slow growth of pastures and hay fields, due to cool conditions.

Farmers are busy controlling weeds, picking rocks , hauling grain and seeding greenfeed crops.

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

Ninety-nine per cent of the 2009 crop is in the ground. The southwestern region was on the receiving end of considerable amounts snow and rain during the past week, with the average being 29 mm.  Two to six inches of snow fell in some areas.  CD 4A received an average of 44 mm of moisture. The areas around Shaunavon, Eastend and Maple Creek received close to 60 mm of moisture. There was frost in some areas. The moisture was greatly appreciated; now heat is needed to advance the crops.

Topsoil moisture conditions have improved from last week's report. Cropland topsoil moisture was reported as 89 per cent adequate and 10 per cent short. Topsoil moisture conditions on hay and pasture land are rated as 80 per cent adequate, 17 per cent short and two per cent very short. 

Frost was the main source of crop damage. Farmers are getting a better idea of how crops are recovering from frost. Flea beetle damage to mustard and canola from is reported in some areas.

Farmers are busy controlling weeds in crops, controlling gophers and assessing frost damage.

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

Farmers have seeded an average of 97 per cent of the crop.  The days were cool and cloudy, with rain showers. Heavy frost was experienced last week. Temperatures dipped below zero for a few nights, reaching -7°C in some areas. An average of 9 mm of moisture was received in this CD. The area around Insinger recorded 21 mm, while the Allan area received an average of 3 mm.

Topsoil moisture conditions have declined in this region from last week.  Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are reported as 74 per cent adequate and 25 per cent short.  Hay and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are 56 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and eight per cent very short.

Crop damage was mostly due to frost. There were reports of some farmers reseeding due to frost damage; others are waiting to assess adequate plant populations.

Flea beetles were also a source of damage to canola crops. Cut worm damage on crops is starting to appear on crops.

Farmers were busy with in-crop weed control and hauling grain.  Warm temperatures are needed to allow crops, pastures and hay fields to catch up on development.

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

An average of 99 per cent of the 2009 crop has been seeded. The weather was generally frosty, cold and dry.  There were a couple areas that recorded -5°C. The CD received an average of 5 mm of rain. Many areas did not receive any moisture.  The area around Conquest and Eston received an average of 21 and 31 mm, respectively.

Average topsoil moisture conditions have improved somewhat for the area; however, there are still major shortages. Cropland conditions are rated as 21 per cent adequate, 48 per cent short and 30 per cent very short.  Hay and pasture land is sitting at 11 per cent adequate, 46 per cent short and 43 per cent very short. Some hay fields were frost damaged, but there are hopes that they will recover.  Growth on hay and pasture land is short and slow at growing.

Crop damage was mainly due to frost and dry conditions.  Some crops are being reseeded where there is some moisture in the topsoil, while some crops are still being assessed for the extent of frost damage. Germination is slow and uneven from lack of moisture and cool conditions. Moisture is still very much needed.  Flea beetles are starting to show up.

Farmers are busy controlling weeds, rolling pulses, and scouting fields.

Northeastern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 8 and 9AE)

The northeast has 99 per cent of the crop seeded. Weather conditions were cool with frost.  An average of 5 mm of rain fell last week.  The moisture that was received in CD 8A was welcome. The area around Lake Lenore and Arborfield received 10 and 12 mm, respectively.  There are still areas that would appreciate a good rain. A few areas reported that frost severely affected the canola crops.

Crops are slow to emerge and develop due to cool temperatures. Some crops are coming up a little patchy. The frost and flea beetles were the cause of crop damage.

Topsoil moisture conditions have declined in this CD from last weeks report. Crop land topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 45 per cent adequate, 48 per cent short and six per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture conditions are 21 per cent adequate, 69 per cent short and 10 per cent very short.

Farmers are busy scouting fields and controlling weeds.

Northwestern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 9AW and 9B)

On average, 98 per cent of the crop has been seeded. Cool temperatures and frost were reported.  Very little rain was reported. The area around Shellbrook received 6 mm of moisture.

Topsoil moisture conditions for this CD have also declined since last week's report. Cropland topsoil moisture is 46 per cent adequate and 51 per cent short. The hay and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are 28 per cent adequate, 52 per cent short and 19 per cent very short.  Frost and dry conditions resulted in some crop, pasture and hay field damage.

Emergence of crops is a bit patchy.  There is some reseeding of the crops that were damaged by frost.  The frost damage is rated from mild to severe. Windy and cool conditions have made weed control a challenge.  Hay and pasture is very slow growing and is in need of moisture.

Farmers are busy scouting fields and controlling weeds and gophers.