The July 16th to 22nd crop report from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture says the hot and dry weather has quickened crop development and caused deterioration. Areas most affected by this are places that had less precipitation earlier in the season. The impact on crop yields, hayland regrowth, and pasture lands can be lessened if some rainfall occurs.
No rainfall was reported in the southeast this week. Some producers are expecting to begin harvest as early as next week. Topsoil moisture conditions continue to drop, cropland topsoil moisture has ratings of one per cent surplus, fifty-two per cent adequate, forty-one per cent short, and eight per cent very short. Pasture topsoil has ratings of forty per cent adequate, fifty-one per cent short and nine per cent very short.
There’s also a continuing decline in crop conditions due to the hot and dry growing conditions. Wheat, durum, barley, canola, lentils and similar crop varieties are rated to be in fair to good condition. If conditions don’t improve, there could be an increase in crops rated poor and very poor.
Haying has been slow this week with twenty per cent now cut and forty-six per cent baled or silaged. The quality of hay remains high with ratings being twenty per cent excellent, sixty-four per cent good, and sixteen per cent fair. Operations have slowed down due to the increased risk of equipment and field fires with the hot and dry weather.
Heat, reduced moisture, gophers, grasshoppers, and aphids continue to damage crops. Fungicide applications should be close to complete with the window for application being closed for many crops.