Some of the latest data coming out of the province's weekly crop report is showing that Saskatchewan farming is dealing with a number of issues at the same time. While thunderstorms bringing hail stretched across some areas, others received limited rainfall, which has stressed out crops.
Some of the areas that did receive significant rainfall last week included the Archerwill area, with 115 millimetres falling there, followed closely by the Beatty area with 85 mm. There was also notable rainfall in the Kinistino and Middle Lake areas, with 75 mm and 65 mm, respectively.
Even with areas receiving a lot of rainfall, the province as a whole was drying out, with provincial cropland topsoil moisture rated at two per cent surplus, 66 per cent adequate, 23 per cent short and nine per cent very short. Hay crops also fell, with topsoil moisture levels at two per cent surplus, 53 per cent adequate, 28 per cent short, and 17 per cent very short. Finally, pasture topsoil moisture levels in the province currently sit at one per cent surplus, 44 per cent adequate, 32 per cent short, and 23 per cent very short.
Crops have continued their development, especially as warm, dry weather swept through he area. Fall cereal crops are furthest ahead, followed closely by spring cereal and pulse crops. Oilseed and annual forage crops have dropped behind their normal stages this year, but are significantly further ahead than last year. The southwest and northwest are the furthest along, thanks to the persistent hot and dry conditions, while crops in the central regions are the furthest behind.
The province's crop conditions are variable, largely due to the amount and timing of rainfall so far this year. Around half of the fall and spring cereal crops are in good condition, with most of the other half in fair to poor condition. Pulses are in better condition at half to two-thirds of crops in good condition, with most of the rest in fair condition. Finally, most oilseed crops are in fair to good condition at the end of June.
Livestock producers have, for the most part, begun cutting their hay. Currently, 10 per cent of hay crops in the province have been cut, 84 per cent are still standing, and six per cent have been baled or silaged. Hay quality varies greatly throughout the province, with twelve per cent of hay excellent quality, 43 per cent good, 34 per cent fair, and 11 per cent poor quality. Producers may be able to produce good second cuts with some timely rain.
Crop damage was reported from a number of sources throughout the province last week. Dry conditions combined with heat and wind were reported as being the most widespread danger to crops in the province. With those conditions, grasshopper and flea beetle activity intensified, causing minor damage in dry areas.
Meanwhile, in the west-central, east-central and northeast regions, producers are reporting minor damage from excess moisture in low spots due to abundant rainfall over the past few weeks. Thunderstorms were also present across the province last week, bringing high winds and damaging hail across the province.