The northwest region of Saskatchewan is seeing progress in its crop development, according to the province’s crop report for the week of July 16 to July 22. Forty-five per cent of the fall cereals, 74 per cent of the spring cereals, 70 per cent of the oilseeds and 82 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development.
Some crops are one to two weeks behind in development, which may be important depending on the weather during harvest and when the first fall frost happens. There are reports of disease issues in pulse crops.
Rainfall varied across the region ranging from 18 mm in the Pierceland area to 44 mm in the Barthel area. The Turtleford area has received the most precipitation since April 1 at 282 mm. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 91 per cent adequate and seven per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 83 per cent adequate and 16 per cent short.
Livestock producers now have 2 per cent of the hay crop baled or put into silage, and an additional 15 per cent is cut and ready for baling. Hay quality is rated as eight per cent excellent, 50 per cent good and 42 per cent fair. Smaller than normal hay swaths pint to below-average yields.
The majority of crop damage this past week was from strong winds and insects such as grasshoppers. Farmers are busy haying and scouting for insects and disease.