Warmer and drier conditions over the past week have kept producers in the Southeast busy with haying operations and spraying fungicides, according to the latest crop report released by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture.
Limited rainfall was seen throughout the region over the past week, except for a few smaller areas. The highest amount was recorded in the Saltcoats area at 19 mm. The Alida and Carnduff areas both received 15 mm, while the Ituna area received 13 mm. Areas within the Southeast need rain to support continued crop development.
The reduced precipitation and increased temperatures continue to deplete topsoil moisture throughout the region.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated at 10 per cent surplus, 69 per cent adequate, 19 per cent short, and 2 per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at 2 per cent surplus, 79 per cent adequate, 19 per cent short, and 3 per cent very short. Recent warmer weather has allowed for quicker crop development, with more crops moving closer to their normal stages of development for this time of year compared to previous weeks.
Oilseeds and spring cereals are still the furthest behind in their stages of development. Haying operations have progressed rapidly throughout the region with the drier weather.
Twenty-five per cent of the hay crop has received its first cut, with 22 per cent baled or silaged. Hay quality is rated at 26 per cent excellent, 65 per cent good, and 8 per cent fare.
Initial estimates of dryland hay yields indicate alfalfa at 1.58 tons/acre, brome hay at 1.60 tons/acre, tame hay at 1.48 tons/acre, baled forage at 1.70 tons/acre, and greenfeed at 2.31 tons/acre. Silage yields are estimated to be 5.70 tons/acre.
Crop damage observed over the past week can be attributed to hail, gophers, grasshoppers, heat, and lack of moisture.
Producers are continuing to monitor aphid pressure in their fields as well. Disease has been noted in some areas, with producers applying fungicides to suppress disease already present, and many proactively spraying to prevent disease development.
Over the next few weeks, producers will be busy finishing fungicide spraying, haying operations, and getting equipment ready for harvest.