Saskatchewan’s weekly crop report says local fields are seeing great development in the northwest region, which includes Lloydminster.
Over 50 per cent of cereal, pulse and canola crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. Overall crop conditions range from poor to good with a small percentage in excellent condition.
Rainfall varied across the province, including 20 millimetres in the North Battleford area. The Turtleford area has gathered 254 millimetres, which is the most in the region since April 1.
The copious amounts of rainfall have increased moisture conditions for crops across the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 85 per cent adequate and 13 per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate, 16 per cent short and one per cent very short.
Livestock producers expect hay yields are to be below average this season. The region has 10 per cent of hay cut and seven per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as 56 per cent good and 44 per cent fair.
The majority of crop damage this past week was from hail, insects and lack of moisture. Farmers in the region are applying fungicide where necessary, haying and scouting for insects and disease.