Saskatchewan producers ‘hoping for rain immediately,’ crop report says

According to the crop report for the period of July 4 to Monday, the province’s crops are generally in good to fair condition.

Published Jul 13, 2023 • Last updated 7 hours ago • 2 minute read

A tractor to seeds peas during the beginning of the farming season on May 6, 2022 near the village of Serath, north of Regina. Photo by KAYLE NEIS /Regina Leader-Post

As the growing season continues, Saskatchewan producers are facing the possibility of another hot, dry summer.

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According to the crop report for the period of July 4 to Monday, “very little rain was received this week” in the province, and the warm weather has led to a decrease in topsoil moisture.

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Almost 80 per cent of crop land, and more than 80 per cent of hay and pasture land, is “short” or “very short” of top soil moisture.

“Many producers are hoping for rain immediately,” the report says.

In the meantime, if producers have concerns about the quality of the water source for their livestock, they can have samples tested at their local regional office.

Despite the dry weather, crops are continuing to progress, and are “generally in good to fair condition.” In many areas of the province, canola is beginning to pod, and wheat is flowering.

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The report found that most crops are either ahead or at their normal stages of development for this time of year.

Fall cereals were 31 per cent ahead and 66 per cent at their normal stage; spring cereals were 33 per cent ahead and 60 per cent at their normal stage; oilseeds were 33 per cent ahead and 58 per cent at their normal stage; pulse crops were 28 per cent ahead and 67 per cent at their normal stage.

More than half of the first cut of hay has already been baled or silaged, and the quality of the hay has ranged from excellent to fair.

Across the province, winter wheat and soybean crops are in the best condition, while mustard and canary seed crops are in the poorest condition.

At the moment, the report found that most crop damage was coming from heat and moisture stress, as well as from grasshoppers.

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