Crop Report for the Period June 30 to July 6, 2009

Crop development has improved considerably across the province, thanks to the warm weather and moisture of the last two weeks, but the majority of crops are still behind normal in development, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's weekly Crop Report.

Seventy per cent of fall cereals are in the heading stage, while 17 per cent are already in the dough stage. Only 11 per cent of fall cereals are in the shot-blade stage. Thirty-six per cent of the spring cereals are in the shot-blade stage, with 17 and 38 per cent in the tillering and jointed stages, respectively. Twenty-eight per cent of canola and mustard is in the flowering stage, while 54 per cent is in the rosette stage and 16 per cent is still in the seedling stage.  In pulse crops, 40 per cent is in the flowering stage, while 57 per cent is in the vegetative stage.

Provincial topsoil moisture conditions have declined slightly since last week. Cropland topsoil moisture is reported as 57 per cent adequate, 36 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Hay land and pasture moisture conditions are reported as 47 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 11 per cent very short. Varying amounts of precipitation-ranging from light showers to hail and thunderstorms-were received across the province. While some areas have received adequate rainfall, many areas still need rain to improve moisture conditions. In the west-central region, precipitation varied from nil to 30 mm, and hay yields and quality are reported as below normal.

Eleven per cent of hay has been cut, while 84 per cent is still standing. Four per cent of the hay has already been baled or ensiled. The quality of the majority of the hay is reported as good to fair.

Dry conditions continue to be the largest single cause of crop damage. Grasshoppers and gophers are also causing damage in the south, southwest and northwest. Cutworm and flea beetle damage is still evident in the north. Hail damage accounted for five per cent of crop damage.

South eastern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 1, 2, and 3ASE
Very little rain fell in this region during the week.  The region received an average of 4 mm of rain.  Crop District (CD) 1A averaged 1 mm, CD 1B - 7 mm, CD 2A - 2 mm, CD 2B - 3 mm, and CD 3ASE - 8 mm.  The Whitewood, Broadview and Tantallon areas received 15, 21 and 26 mm, respectively. Some areas throughout the region are in need of rain, with reports of crops starting to show signs of stress due to lack of moisture.  Some areas did receive some much needed moisture toward the end of the week. Crops are starting to look a little better in areas due to the rain over the last few weeks. Hail was reported in the Minton area.

Topsoil moisture conditions have declined from last week as conditions are being reported as 47 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short, and 6 per cent very short on crop land.  Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture conditions are 36 per cent adequate, 51 per cent short and 13 per cent very short.  

Most of the crop damage was caused by dry conditions, flea beetles, grasshoppers, gophers and hail.  Some farmers are spraying for grasshoppers in lentils.  Some ranchers are planning to sell off some of their cows.  Crops are advancing but uneven and behind.

South western Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 3ASW, 3AN, 3B and 4)
Substantial amount of rain fell in this region during the week.  The region received an average of 21 mm of rain.  Crop District 3ASW averaged 13 mm, CD 3AN - 20 mm, CD 3B - 23 mm, and CD 4 - 25 mm.  Areas around Shaunavon, Maple Creek and Coderre received 45 mm, while areas around Admiral and Gull Lake received as much as 50 mm.  More rain is needed to continue to develop the crops.  There are reports of some dugouts drying up. The Rockglen area received snowbanks of hail and a downpour of rain (around 26 mm). Four inches of rain fell south of Ponteix in a short time causing temporary flooding.  The crop has responded well where rains were received over the last couple of weeks.

Topsoil moisture conditions have improved from last week. Cropland topsoil moisture was reported as 65 per cent adequate, 30 per cent short and five per cent very short. Topsoil moisture conditions on hay and pasture land are rated as 48 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and 12 per cent very short.

The majority of crop damage this past week was attributed to gophers, grasshoppers and dry conditions.  Cabbage seedpod weevils and flea beetles were reported in a couple of RMs (109 and 134, respectively).

Gopher poisoning continues.  Many farmers were spraying for grasshoppers.

East-Central Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 5 and 6A)
The days were generally warm and windy, with a few rain showers in some areas.  Nights generally cooled off. The region received an average of 10 mm of rain.  CD 5A and 6A received an average of 11mm, CD an average of three mm.  Some areas did not receive any rain during the past week. The area around Jedburgh and Imperial received 34 mm. The areas around Rama, Raymore, Kenaston received 18 mm of moisture.  Lack of significant moisture in some areas has resulted in slow growth and development of crops, hay and pasture. The areas that received significant moisture have improved crop conditions.

Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are reported as 59 per cent adequate, 38 per cent short and three per cent very short.  Hay and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are 48 per cent adequate, 43 per cent short and nine per cent very short.

Crop damage was mostly due to dry and windy conditions, as well as some insect (flea beetles and wire worms) damage.  Crops are progressing but behind.

West-Central Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 6B and 7)
The week was generally warm, with showers in some areas.  CD 6B and 7B received an average of 9mm, CD 7A averaged 8 mm. The Dinsmore area received 28 mm; Smiley area - 21 mm; Biggar areas 19 mm and 12 mm; Rosetown area - 6 mm; and Unity area - 21 mm. The moisture received in some areas over the last two weeks has improved crop conditions. Crop reporters are relaying that some crops still have potential to pull off an average yield. On the other hand, there are also reports of crops being cultivated or turning into chem-fallow. Heavy rain and hail in the Battleford area resulted in crop damage.

Average topsoil moisture conditions have declined since last week. The area is so severely dry that good rains are needed to improve crop, hay and pasture lands.  Cropland moisture conditions are rated as 34 per cent adequate, 50 per cent short and 16 per cent very short.  Hay and pasture land is sitting at 28 per cent adequate, 55 per cent short and 17 per cent very short.

Crop damage was mainly due to dry conditions.  Some grasshopper (RM 288 & 317B) and gopher damage (RM 350B) was also reported.  Crop development varies from poor to good and ranchers are scrambling for hay.  Varying crop stages are posing a dilemma in herbicide application.

North eastern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 8 and 9AE)
Weather conditions for the past week were warm with scattered thundershowers in some areas. The region received an average of 10 mm of moisture, with some areas not receiving any rain. The Vonda area received 28 mm and the Nipawin area received 31 mm. Areas in both CD's 8A and 8B are in need of rain to improve crop, hay and pasture land conditions.

Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 63 per cent adequate, 21 per cent short and 16 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture conditions are 44 per cent adequate, 36 per cent short and 21 per cent very short.

The majority of crop damage was caused by cutworms and dry conditions. Some flea beetle damage was also reported in RM 372.  Reports indicate delayed development of crops and the need for both rain and heat.

North western Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 9AW and 9B)
All reporters recorded some amount of moisture this past week.  Although, some more than others. Many areas recorded under 10 mm (Radisson, Glaslyn, Turtleford, Rapid View). Other areas recorded rain amounts in the 20-30 mm range. The area around Duck Lake received 47 mm; Meadow Lake - 30 mm and Pierceland - 28 mm.  Fast rains resulted in some temporary flooding and hail resulted in 5-100 per cent damage in the Speers area.  The rain and warmer weather received over the past couple of weeks has improved crops and pastures. Hay fields in some areas are being grazed, as the rain came too late for some pastures. There are some reports of hay crops beginning to recover from the late/dry spring.

Crop land topsoil moisture conditions for this region have declined since last week's report and are reported as 82 per cent adequate and 17 per cent short. The hay and pasture topsoil moisture conditions declined from last week and are reported as 74 per cent adequate and 26 per cent short.

The majority of crop damage this week was caused by hail followed by grasshoppers.  Isolated cases of flooding, gophers and flea beetles were also reported.  Crops are improving, though behind in development.

Haying progress and quality - First cut

Prov. = Provincial average; Excel = Excellent; and NR = Not reported