After a week of mixed weather, southeast Saskatchewan’s crops show promise, but many producers are calling for more rain to sustain growth and protect yields.
Parts of the southeast have received a decent amount of rainfall, prompting producers to spray fungicides on certain pulse, cereal, and oilseed crops. Meanwhile, other areas have experienced dry conditions over the past two weeks, with no fungicide applications needed.
The Lampman area recorded the highest rainfall at 32 millimetres, followed by Hirsch with 25 mm, Griffin 23 mm, Lajord 22 mm, and Balcarres 21 mm.
Topsoil moisture levels declined slightly from last week as recent rain was insufficient to fully replenish losses. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated 69 per cent adequate, 27 per cent short, and four per cent very short. Hayland and pasture moisture levels are similar, with 63 per cent adequate, about one-third short, and four to five per cent very short.
With warmer temperatures expected this month, timely rainfall will be essential for consistent crop development.
Crop progress is steady: two per cent of winter cereals are in stem elongation, two per cent at the flag leaf stage, 50 per cent heading, 40 per cent in dough stages, and six per cent ripe.
Spring cereals are seven per cent tillering, 18 per cent in stem elongation, 31 per cent at flag leaf stage, 42 per cent heading, and two per cent in dough stages.
Flax remains three per cent in seedling stage, with 67 per cent in stem elongation, 23 per cent flowering, two per cent at the boll stage, and five per cent ripe.
Canola and mustard stand at three per cent seedlings, 19 per cent rosette, 27 per cent bolting, and 51 per cent flowering.
Pulse crops are three per cent seedlings, 22 per cent vegetative, 69 per cent flowering, and six per cent podded.
The southeast reports some of the best pasture conditions in the province: six per cent excellent, 46 per cent good, 38 per cent fair, nine per cent poor, and one per cent very poor.
Haying is underway, with 32 per cent cut for the first time this year. Fourteen per cent has been baled or silaged, while 54 per cent remains standing. Producers say hay quality in the southeast is the highest in the province, with 21 per cent rated excellent, 53 per cent good, 20 per cent fair, and six per cent poor.
Crop damage varies across the region. Dry conditions cause the most harm in some areas, while wind and heat damage range from minor to moderate. Wildlife damage also varies, with gophers identified as the primary source.
Insect activity remains low overall, though cabbage seed pod weevils are causing minor to moderate damage in some oilseed crops.