Although Lloydminster saw some rainfall over the past week, farms across the province are in desperate need of moisture according to the Saskatchewan Weekly Crop Report. With seeding operations finished, farmers are in need of rain to cure dry soil conditions, encourage germination and growth of crops, hay land and pasture.
Topsoil moisture has improved but remains at a low rating. Cropland topsoil moisture across the province is rated as two per cent surplus, 37 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short, and 21 per cent very short. Topsoil moisture on hay land and pasture is rated as one per cent surplus, 28 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short, and 29 per cent very short.
Crops range from poor to good conditions across the province. Recent rainfall will help improve or sustain some crops. The main cause of crop damage this week was due to strong winds, dry fields and insects.
To help address dry conditions across Saskatchewan, Federal Agriculture Minister Marie Bibeau and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit announced additional program measures and flexibility to assist farmers on Wednesday.
Producers will now have more time to seed crops for green feed as the provincial crop Insurance Program has extended the deadline from June 30 to July 15.