Lloydminster and area farmers are seeing their crops slowly develop after experiencing heavy rainfall in the past few weeks.

Crops and pasture development are improving in areas of the province that received rainfall and warmer temperatures are helping in the development, according to the Saskatchewan crop report. Some farmers have reported some fields are saturated and wet fields are delaying spraying weed control and pesticides.

Moisture levels remain the same across the province except in areas that received less rainfall. Cropland topsoil moisture in the area is rated as five per cent surplus, 94 per cent adequate and one per cent short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 96 per cent adequate and two per cent short.

Crop development is around normal for this time of year for most crops with oilseed crops considered to be behind normal.

The northwest region shows 86 per cent of fall cereals, 76 per cent of spring cereals, 71 per cent of oilseed crops and 75 per cent of pulse crops are at their normal stages for this time of year. While 14 per cent of fall cereals, 20 per cent of spring cereals, 26 per cent of oilseed crops and 22 per cent of pulse crops are behind.

Canola development is being affected by flea beetle damage in most parts of the province and some fields in the area have been damaged by excessive rain. Farmers will continue spraying as wet fields and wind conditions allow.