Crop Report for the Period June 9 to June 15, 2009

Across the province, the majority of crops are in fair to good condition, but are behind normal in development, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's weekly Crop Report.

Seventy-nine per cent of winter wheat is reported in fair to good condition. Wheat is 83 per cent fair to good condition. Canola is reported as 74 per cent fair to good. Peas are reported as 84 per cent fair to good.

On average, 67 per cent of fall-seeded crops are behind normal in development. Eighty per cent of spring cereals and 87 per cent of oilseeds are behind normal. Seventy-six per cent of pulse crops are behind normal in development.

Some moisture was received in areas of the province last week; however, provincial topsoil moisture conditions have declined overall since last week's Crop Report. Cropland topsoil moisture is reported as 52 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and 13 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture moisture conditions are reported as 43 per cent adequate, 38 per cent short and 19 per cent very short. The west-central and northwestern districts of the province have received only trace amounts of precipitation in some areas and are severely dry. Hay and pasture growth is slow, and stands are short in some areas of the province.

Frost was still damaging crops in some areas of the province last week. Dry conditions, hail, gophers and flea beetles were the other sources of crop damage. Cutworms and grasshoppers are showing up in some fields.

The warm weather is welcome, and rain would be appreciated in most areas.

Farmers are busy controlling weeds and gophers, and scouting crops.

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

Seeded Acreage Reports and Stored Grain Declarations must be submitted by June 25. Failure to submit these forms may result in a $60 penalty and further charges should it be necessary for an adjuster to visit to gather the information.

The deadline to submit Unseeded Acreage claims is June 25. Indemnities submitted between June 26 and July 2 will be reduced by 25 per cent. Claims will not be accepted after July 2.

The deadline to seed greenfeed crops covered by forage insurance is June 30, with all establishment and gopher damage claims on greenfeed to be submitted by this date.

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

Nights were still cool at the beginning of the week, with temperatures warming up by week's end.  The region received an average of 2 mm of rain. The Kennedy and Midale areas received 12 and 13 mm, respectively.

Topsoil moisture conditions have declined somewhat from last week. Conditions are being reported as 88 per cent adequate and 12 per cent short on cropland.  Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture conditions are 71 per cent adequate and 26 per cent short.

Light frosts of about -2°C were still occurring in areas.  Most of the crop damage was due to frost and flea beetles. The crops are showing signs of stress due to the frost. The recent warm weather has advanced the crops, as well as the weeds. There were some reports of leaf banding on the cereal crops from weather stress.

There are a few reports of reseeding due to frost; some farmers are seeding early maturing crops or greenfeed crops.  Crops are developing a little more quickly due to last week's heat and rain. There are concerns over the continued slow growth of pastures and hay fields.

Farmers are busy controlling weeds, scouting crops, and seeding greenfeed crops.

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

The SW region was warm with spotty showers during the past week, with an area average of 1.4 mm. The Orkney area received 8 mm of rain. 

Topsoil moisture conditions have declined from last week. Cropland topsoil moisture was reported as 65 per cent adequate and 33 per cent short. Topsoil moisture conditions on hay and pasture land are rated as 58 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and five per cent very short.  The recent rains have helped the hay and pasture land somewhat; however, the stands are still very short and slow at growing.

The warm week allowed crops to catch up on development. Frost and gophers were the main sources of crop damage. The warm weather has brought gophers out, and crop damage is being noticed. Areas are reporting damage to mustard and canola from flea beetles. Grasshoppers and cutworms are starting to show up in some crops. Kochia, Russian thistle and dandelions are problem weeds.

Farmers are busy controlling weeds in-crop and controlling gophers.

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

The days trended toward warmer temperatures by the end of the week.  Some areas received some needed moisture as spotty thundershowers rolled through the region. The region received an average of 5 mm.  The areas around Kamsack and Stenen received 21 and 25 mm, respectively. 

Topsoil moisture conditions have declined in this region from last week.  Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are reported as 59 per cent adequate, 34 per cent short and seven per cent very short.  Hay and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are 44 per cent adequate, 34 per cent short and 21 per cent very short.

Crop damage was mostly due to frost, flea beetles and dry conditions. Cutworm and grasshopper damage on crops is starting to appear. Some crops are recovering from frost damage, while others were suffucuently damaged to warrant some reseeding.  There are reports of some fall crops short in stature.

Farmers were busy with in-crop weed control and hauling grain.

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

Frost was still occurring at the beginning of the week, with temperatures climbing near the end of the week. Spotty rain showers resulted in an average of 3 mm of rain for the region.  The Hanley area received 10 mm of rain. Close to 8 mm fell in the Rosetown and Kindersley areas.

Average topsoil moisture conditions continue to decline in the region. There are major moisture shortages. Cropland moisture conditions are rated as seven per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and 49 per cent very short.  Hay and pasture land is sitting at 45 per cent short and 54 per cent very short.  Pastures are being reported as poor in condition, short and slow growing. There are reports that some crops have yet to emerge.

Crop damage was mainly due dry conditions.  Germination is uneven from lack of moisture. Moisture is severely needed to advance crops, hay and pasture land.  

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

Northeastern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 8 and 9AE)

Weather conditions were warm with spotty showers.  There are areas in the region that need rain. An average of 4 mm of rain fell last week.  The areas around Porcupine Plain and Star City received an average of 8 and 9 mm, respectively. 

Crops are behind in development due to cool weather and frost.  Some crops are coming up patchy. Dry conditions were the main cause of crop damage. Flea beetles are starting to show up in canola crops.

Topsoil moisture conditions have declined in this CD from last week's report. Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 34 per cent adequate, 50 per cent short and 15 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture conditions are 24 per cent adequate, 58 per cent short and 18 per cent very short. Hay land and pastures are slow to advance.

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

Northwestern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 9AW and 9B)

Warm and windy conditions made up the majority of the week. There were some small showers in areas of the region, averaging 5 mm of rain.  The Shellbrook area received 25 mm, the Speers area received 12 mm, and the Neilburg area received 9 mm of rain.

Topsoil moisture conditions for this CD have also declined since last week's report. Cropland topsoil moisture is 34 per cent adequate, 48 per cent short and 18 per cent very short. The hay and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are 18 per cent adequate, 43 per cent short and 39 per cent very short.  Frost and dry conditions resulted in the majority of crop, pasture and hay field damage. Flea beetles were also a source of crop damage.  Grasshoppers are starting to hatch.

Moisture is severely needed. Emergence of crops is a bit patchy.  There is some reseeding of the canola that was damaged by frost.  The frost damaged many crops, especially canola.  Hay and pasture has very slow growth and is in need of moisture.

Farmers are busy scouting fields and controlling weeds.

For more information, contact:
Grant McLean
Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
Moose Jaw
(306) 694-359