The latest Crop Report from the Ministry of Agriculture indicates that conditions were generally drier over the past week compared to previous weeks. Overall, crop conditions have been reported as good.
In the southeast, producers are working on fungicide applications due to frequent showers and humid conditions, which contribute to disease development.
Haying operations are beginning in the area after some delay caused by rainfall. Over the coming week, producers will continue haying, spraying, and monitoring for pest and disease development. Despite rain delays in some areas, haying operations have advanced. Ten per cent of the hay crop has had its first cut, with three per cent baled or silaged. Hay quality is rated at 25 per cent excellent, 64 per cent good, and 11 per cent fair.
Most of the region was affected by rainfall, with some areas reporting smaller isolated storms with higher amounts of rainfall. The Frobisher, Regina, and Langenburg areas each received around 50 mm of rain.
Topsoil moisture fell in the southeast over the past week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 14 per cent surplus, 73 per cent adequate, 12 per cent short, and one per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at nine per cent surplus, 76 per cent adequate, 14 per cent short, and one per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is eight per cent surplus, 73 per cent adequate, 17 per cent short, and two per cent very short.
Crop development has remained relatively steady in relation to the percentage of crops falling behind their normal stages of development for this time of year compared to previous weeks. The exception is fall cereals, which have shown a larger increase in the percentage falling behind. Producers hope that warmer weather will help these crops catch up to their normal stage of development for this time of year.
Crop conditions are rated mainly good throughout the region except for soybeans.
Most crop damage reported was due to excess moisture within the region, which has caused crop yellowing in lower-lying areas, leading to some crop loss. Minor to moderate hail damage was reported as a result of isolated storms throughout the region over the past week.
Frequent moisture has led to some disease development in pulses and cereals. Gophers continue to persist within the area and are contributing to crop damage. Crop damage in the area has also been reported due to grasshoppers, but producers indicate that grasshoppers are emerging in areas that did not have pressure previously. Aphids have also been noted within the region this week.