Local farms continue to make progress with haying operations in the Northwest region, which includes Lloydminster according to Saskatchewan’s weekly crop report.
Large amounts of rainfall have caused haying progress to slow down, with reports of declining hay quality on swaths due to the rain as well. Hay quality is rated as 50 per cent good and 50 per cent fair. Producers in the region have reported that hay yields are below-average and there won’t be a second cut of hay.
Livestock producers have 21 per cent of hay crop baled or placed into silage, with 21 per cent cut and ready for bailing.
Rainfall varied from nothing to 57 millmetres across the region this week. The Turtleford area continues to receive the most precipitation gathering 339 millimetres since April 1. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated at 88 per cent adequate and pasture topsoil moisture is rated at 90 per cent adequate.
If the weather doesn’t hold up, producers may be concerned during harvesting as producers have reported crops being one to two weeks behind development. Regionally, crops are in fair to excellent condition.
The majority of crop damage this past week was from strong winds and hail. Farmers are busy haying, scouting for insects and disease and getting equipment ready for harvest.