Saskatchewan's Ministry of Agriculture released the latest crop report recently, taking a look at the state of crops in the province.
Crops Extension Specialist Mackenzie Hladun says the current situation has given the countryside some new colours.
"The crops in this past week have really made some great progress. We're starting to see those fantastic fields of yellow canola pop up and those fantastic fields of green wheat pop up as well and they're really adding to our beautiful Saskatchewan landscape. So although rain was received across the province, many areas are still hoping for additional moisture to keep moisture levels adequate."
Topsoil moisture is falling in the province, even as that additional rain fell over the week.
"Topsoil moisture is rated at 1 per cent surplus, 42 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short, and 15 per cent very short across the province. Hay and pasture topsoil moisture follows a very similar pattern with 36 per cent adequate, 32 per cent short, and 21 per cent very short," said Hladun, "Topsoil moisture in the southwest and in the west central are the lowest in the province."
Crop growth seems to be getting close to or past the halfway mark for many crops around the province.
"60 per cent of canola is flowering, just over half or 56 per cent of this year's flax crop is in the stem extension stage, fall cereals are beginning to flow across the province with 51 per cent of this year's crop beginning to head out and 36 per cent are at a dough stage. Spring cereals are not far behind, with 43 per cent of this year's crop heading out, said Hladun, "Pulses are the most diverse in staging across the province, with 28 per cent in vegetative stages, 29 per cent flowering and 40 per cent beginning to pod."
The haying season is also underway, close to half done for the first go-around in Saskatchewan.
"Haying is well underway in the province, with 48 per cent of the hay crop being cut for the first time this year. 23 per cent has also been bailed or silage. The quality of hay from the first cut is in good to fair condition and many producers are hoping for another good quality second cut for this year," said Hladun, "Producers are also very closely monitoring pasture conditions, with 36 per cent of pasture graze rated as good, 32 per cent rated as fair, and 20 per cent rated as poor."
Some crop damage was also reported, coming from both recent storms and local pests.
"This past week, crop damage was mostly due to scattered hail storms that moved mostly throughout the north of the province, but some were in the south as well, heat stress is also seen and so is wind damage. Plough winds were also a concern in the north, which have many producers out scouting their fields for possible wind damage.
"In addition to the environmental damage grasshoppers, other insects, and gophers are a primary concern for producers," said Hladun, "Also crop diseases are beginning to appear after wet and humid conditions accompanied by this past week's heat."