With better moisture conditions, attention in Saskatchewan is now turning to the fact some crops are behind in development, meaning they may be at risk depending on the weather.
According to the latest provincial crop report on Thursday, one-third of the spring cereals and almost half (45%) of the oilseeds in Saskatchewan were anywhere from one to weeks behind in development as of Monday. More than 30% of the pulse crops in the province were running behind as well. The lateness of the crops “may be of significance depending on the weather during harvest and when the first fall frost occurs,” the report said.
Meanwhile, moisture conditions in the province improved slightly over the past week. Provincially, topsoil moisture on cropland was rated as 3% surplus, 84% adequate and just 12% short and 1% very short as of Monday. That compares with as 2% surplus, 84% adequate, 13% short and 1% very short the previous week.
Rainfall in the province last week ranged from nil to 83 mm in the Sonningdale area, with the moisture in those areas that did get it helping crops to fill.
The majority of crop damage this past week was from localized flooding, strong winds, hail and insects such as grasshoppers and aphids. There are reports of disease issues in pulse crops. Producers continue with haying operations and scouting for pests.
Southeast:
Rainfall last week ranged from small amounts to 38 mm in the Glenavon area. Throughout the region, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as eight per cent surplus, 70 per cent adequate, 19 per cent short and three per cent very short.
Seventy-five per cent of the fall cereals, 70 per cent of the spring cereals, 56 per cent of the oilseeds and 71 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. Some crops are one to two weeks behind in development, which may be of significance depending on the weather during harvest and when the first fall frost occurs.
The majority of crop damage this week was from strong winds, hail, insects such as aphids and ascochyta blight in chickpea. There are reports of disease issues caused by root rot in pulse crops. Producers continue with haying operations and scouting for pests.
Southwest:
Rainfall in the region ranged from trace amounts to 38 mm in the Swift Current area. Regionally, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as two per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate and 16 per cent short.
Sixty-two per cent of the fall cereals, 67 per cent of the spring cereals, 56 per cent of the oilseeds and 66 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. As indicated by producers, some crops are one to two weeks behind in development and depending on harvest weather, this may be a concern.
The majority of crop damage this week was from strong winds, hail and diseases such as ascochyta blight in chickpea. There are reports of diseases issues caused by root rot in pulse crops. Producers continue with haying operations and scouting for pests.
Click here to see more...