The warm weather has been a help for some producers in the Weyburn area, but a hindrance for others, according to the most recent crop report released by the provincial Ministry of Agriculture. The report, issued this morning, showed there had been limited rain over the past week, with some areas now in need of rain for crop development.
The increase in temperatures, and the lack of precipitation, has seen the topsoil moisture conditions in the southeast decline. The cropland topsoil moisture is now rated as 69 percent adequate, with 10 percent surplus, 19 percent short and two percent very short. For hayland, it is rated as 76 percent adequate, two percent surplus, 19 percent short and three percent very short. Pasture land is rated as 70 percent adequate, 26 percent short, three percent very short and one percent surplus.
The warm weather has helped with crop development, though, many crops starting to move closer to their normal development stage for this time of year. The biggest lag being reported is for oilseeds and spring cereals.
The warm, dry weather has helped hay producers to get out into the field. The report indicated that 25 percent of the hay crop has had the first cut, with 22 percent baled or silaged. In terms of quality, 26 percent is rated as excellent, with 66 percent good and eight percent fair.
There was some crop damage reported in the past week, with hail, gophers, grasshoppers, the lack of moisture, and the heat all being attributed. There has been some application of fungicides in areas where diseases are already present, while some proactive spraying is also taking place in the region. Aphid pressure is also something producers have been watching.