Crop Report for the Period July 7 to July 13, 2009

Topsoil moisture conditions improved due to significant rainfall received across many areas of the province last week, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's weekly Crop Report.

Rainfall was variable, however, and although some areas received as much as 145 mm, others received nothing.

Crop development is being reported as one per cent ahead of normal, 39 per cent normal and 60 per cent behind for fall cereals; 25 per cent normal and 75 per cent behind for spring cereals; 22 per cent normal and 78 per cent behind for oilseeds; and 34 per cent normal and 66 per cent behind for pulses.

Crop conditions across the province are reported as 89 per cent good to fair for winter wheat, 86 per cent good to fair for spring wheat, 80 per cent good to fair for canola and 84 per cent good to fair for peas.

Provincial cropland topsoil moisture conditions are reported as six per cent surplus, 80 per cent adequate and 14 per cent short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 74 per cent adequate, 22 per cent short and three per cent very short.

In the west-central area, there are indications that the recent rains may help to advance the development of the later-seeded crops, although crop development is two to three weeks behind normal. Hay yields are predicted to be well below average, with some hay crops not worth cutting.

Twelve per cent of the province's hay fields have been cut, while 77 per cent are still standing. Ten per cent has been harvested. The quality of the majority of the hay is reported as good to fair.

Grasshoppers and gophers caused the majority of the crop damage. Other pests that have shown up include pea aphids and alfalfa weevil. Ascochyta blight and tan spot disease are also evident in some areas. Hail, flooding and frost damage were also reported. Farmers would appreciate some heat to advance crops.

Southeastern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 1, 2, and 3ASE)
The weather was cool during the past week, with rain falling over most of the region. Significant hail damage was recorded in the Whitewood, Frobisher and Indian Head areas. There was localized flooding in the Cedoux area. Temperatures dipped fairly low, reaching around 3°C during the weekend.  The areas around Gainsborough and Carnduff received 80 mm of rain; Frobisher, 51 mm; and Whitewood, 66 mm. Many areas received amounts in the 20-30 mm range. Redvers received 6 mm; Maryfield, nil; Pangman, 9 mm. Crop District (CD) 1A averaged 36 mm; CD 1B, 29 mm; CD 2A, 18 mm; CD 2B, 26 mm; and CD 3ASE, 25 mm.  The moisture was welcome; now heat is needed to advance the crops.

Topsoil moisture conditions have improved from last week. Conditions are being reported as five per cent surplus, 77 per cent adequate, 16 per cent short and two per cent very short on cropland.  Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture conditions are 69 per cent adequate, 25 per cent short and six per cent very short.

Haying operations were just nicely underway before the rain fell.  Fifteen per cent has been cut and 13 per cent has been baled or ensiled.  Seventy-four per cent of the hay is rated as good to fair in quality, however yields are way below average.

Most of the crop damage was caused by insects (grasshoppers and pea aphids), disease (ascochyta blight and tan spot disease), hail, dry conditions and some frost. There are large populations of grasshoppers in CDs 1A and 2B, and spraying around the field borders is occurring. Pea aphids are also being controlled. There was a touch of frost in the Kennedy and Alameda areas. Fungicides are being applied on pulses.  Farmers are waiting for things to dry up before continuing (or beginning) haying. 

Southwestern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 3ASW, 3AN, 3B and 4) 
The weather was generally cool, with temperatures dipping below zero in some areas of the region. Many parts of the southwest missed the heavier rainfalls, but some areas still received fairly decent amounts of moisture. The areas around Rockglen and Glentworth received 61 and 60 mm, respectively; Gull Lake, 44 mm; Assiniboia, 40 mm; Mankota, 1 mm; and Kyle, 6 mm. Crop District 3ASW averaged 36 mm; CD 3AN, 24 mm; CD 3BS,  9 mm; CD 3BN, 17 mm; CD 4A, 9 mm; and CD 4B, 20 mm. 

Topsoil moisture conditions have continued to improve. Cropland topsoil moisture was reported as 83 per cent adequate and 17 per cent short. Topsoil moisture conditions on hay and pasture land are rated as 64 per cent adequate, 32 per cent short and three per cent very short. CD 4A is reporting topsoil moisture conditions on hay and pasture land as 58 per cent adequate and 41 per cent short.

Haying progress is reported as 18 per cent cut and 21 per cent baled or ensiled. Five per cent of the crop is reported to be excellent quality, 32 per cent good, 36 per cent fair and seven per cent poor quality. Some crops and pastures are benefiting from the recent moisture, but hay crops should have received it three weeks ago or more in CD 3ASW. The recent rains have triggered some second growth in alfalfa in CD 3BS. Some warm and dry weather is needed before farmers continue with haying operations.

The majority of pulses are well into flowering, with some starting to pod. Cereal crops are starting to head out.

The majority of crop damage this past week was attributed to gophers and grasshoppers.  Hail damage was reported in the Glentworth, Chaplin and Vanguard areas, while flooding occurred around Rockglen. Control of grasshoppers in underway, mainly in lentils. The drought-damaged crops have yet to respond to the moisture in some areas. Many producers are hoping we have a late fall, as most crops are two to three weeks behind in development.

East-Central Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 5 and 6A)
Cool and wet! The rainfall of the past couple of weeks has greened things up, and crops are looking better. The Kelvington area reported frost on two nights. Temperatures dipped down to 1°C in the Earl Grey area, 2°C for two nights in the Ituna and Langenburg areas, and 3°C for one night in the Meacham area. The thermometer fell below zero for three nights in the Leroy area (-0.5, -1.5 and -3°C). Imperial received a large amount of rain (109 mm); Craik, 80 mm; Kenaston, 99 mm; Elfros, 52 mm; Foam Lake, 48 mm; and Ituna, 49 mm. CD 5A received an average of 32 mm of precipitation; CD 5B, an average of 29 mm; and CD 6A, an average of 40 mm.  All crop reporters recorded some rainfall.

Cropland topsoil moisture conditions have improved since last week's report. Conditions are now reported as nine per cent surplus, 76 per cent adequate and 15 per cent short. Hay and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are four per cent surplus, 74 per cent adequate, 19 per cent short and three per cent very short.

Haying progress is reported as eight per cent cut and three per cent baled or ensiled. Forty-five per cent is reported to be in fair to good quality. (However, 53 per cent of the crop reporters in this region did not respond to this question.) Hay crops are short, and there is evidence of alfalfa weevils in CD 5A.

Canola stands are patchy and starting to blossom, cereals in the flag leaf to boot stage.

Warmer temperatures are needed to advance the crop, as development is two to three weeks behind normal. Farmers are hoping for a decent fall and good harvesting weather.

Very little crop damage was reported; however, flooding caused some damage in the areas that experienced downpours. Grasshoppers and pea aphids are starting to show up.  Wheat midge has been spotted in the Stockholm area. Some farmers are spraying for leaf diseases, grasshopper in lentils and aphids in peas. Warmer weather is needed to dry out hay fields before haying operations can start.

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

It was cool and wet in the west-central parts of the province during the past week. A low of 4°C was reported in the Marengo area. CD 6B received an average of 62 mm of rain; CD 7A, 53 mm; and CD 7B, 60 mm. All crop reporters recorded moisture this past week. The Perdue area received 134 mm of precipitation; Harris area, 100 mm; Rosetown area, 145 mm; and the Battleford area, 118 mm.  Hail was reported in the Biggar, Scott, Denzil and Battleford areas. Funnel clouds were spotted in the Battleford area.

Average topsoil moisture conditions have increased significantly since last week. Cropland moisture conditions are rated as 11 per cent surplus, 73 per cent adequate, 15 per cent short and one per cent very short.  Hay and pasture land is sitting at two per cent surplus, 80 per cent adequate, 17 per cent short and one per cent very short. Taking a closer look at the topsoil moisture at the crop district level, CD 7A is reporting conditions as 55 per cent adequate and 31 per cent short on cropland, and 58 per cent adequate and 35 per cent short on hay and pasture land.

The 2009 hay crop is nine per cent cut, with four per cent baled or ensiled. Hay crop quality is reported as 11 per cent good, 27 per cent fair and 27 per cent poor. (However, 34 per cent of the regions crop reporters did not respond to this question.) Hay yields are reported as far below average.

Pulse crops are flowering and cereals are starting to head out. The recent rains have improved the condition of the later-seeded crops. Some reporters are indicating that the rain fell too late to improve crops in areas. Some canola fields in CD 7B have been worked under.

Crop damage was mainly due to hail, flooding and grasshoppers.

Farmers are busy controlling grasshoppers and diseases in pulses. Wheat midge has been reported in the Sonningdale area. Harvesting will be a challenge in many areas, given the variable stages of crop development. A long, open and frost-free fall is needed.

Northeastern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 8 and 9AE)
Weather conditions for the past week were cool, windy and wet. CD 8A received an average of 22 mm, CD 8B averaged 25 mm and CD 9AE averaged 12 mm. The Bruno area received 40 mm; Codette, 52 mm; and the Arborfield and Vonda areas, 30 mm.  Rainfall was uneven, however. The areas around Christopher Lake and Codette  received only 2 and 4 mm respectively.  Temperatures dipped down to 1°C around Bruno.

Cropland topsoil moisture conditions have improved from last week's report. Six per cent of cropland is in surplus, 86 per cent is adequate and seven per cent is short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture conditions are 83 per cent adequate and 17 per cent short.

Seventeen per cent of the 2009 hay crop is cut, with seven per cent baled or ensiled. Thirty-three per cent of the hay is reported to be in good quality and 33 per cent is fair quality. The alfalfa is just starting to bloom in CD 8A. Hay yields are reported as below normal.

Wheat crops are heading out and canola is flowering. Some farmers are spraying for leaf disease.

Very little crop damage was reported. Cutworms are still causing problems and some fields have been written off due to the damage in CD 8A. There was some flood damage in the Vonda area.  A long fall is needed to get a good quality crop at harvest.

Northwestern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 9AW and 9B)
Cool and wet conditions were reported during last week. All crop reporters recorded at least 16 mm of moisture, with most reporting 20 to 40 mm. The areas around North Battleford received between 67 and 89 mm; the Radisson area, 54 mm; and Meadow Lake, 55 mm. CD 9AW averaged 36 mm and CD 9B averaged 37 mm.  Hail was reported in the Speers area. A low of 3°C was recorded in the Lloydminster area. Frost was recorded in the Glaslyn and Pierceland areas.

Cropland topsoil moisture for this region has improved since last week's report.  Conditions are reported as two per cent surplus, 90 per cent adequate and seven per cent short. The hay and pasture topsoil moisture conditions also improved from last week, and are reported as 89 per cent adequate and 11 per cent short.  

Three per cent of the hay crop is cut. Thirty per cent of the hay is reported to be fair quality and eight per cent poor quality. (However, 56 of the crop reporters in this region did not respond to this question.) The hay crop is short and yields are expected to be below average.

Very little crop damage was reported; however, flooding, frost and grasshoppers are causing some damage. Heat is needed to advance crops and get haying operations underway. Crops are looking better in CD 9AW after the rains of the past couple of weeks. Disease control has started in pea crops.