PROVINCE-WIDE– Crops continue to rapidly advance with the increased temperatures and lack of moisture experienced throughout much of the province this past week. Conditions have led to a further decline in yield potential for many crops. Although any moisture received would be too late for advanced crops, producers indicate moisture would still be beneficial for later seeded crops to help with grain fill along with supporting pasture conditions. 

– The heat and dry conditions have brought harvest on quickly in some regions of the province. Provincially, harvest is now two per cent complete. This is aligned with the five-year and 10-year averages of two per cent. Harvest progress is led by the southwest region with four per cent complete, followed by one per cent complete for the southeast and east-central regions. All other producers are preparing for harvest by getting equipment ready, cleaning out bins and hauling grain. 

– In areas that have started harvest, producers have been working on taking off their winter cereals and pulse crops. Provincially, fall rye is 15 per cent harvested followed by winter wheat at 12 per cent harvested. Nine per cent of field peas have been harvested and eight per cent of lentils have been harvested. 

– Many producers are wrapping up their haying and silage operations. Provincially, dryland alfalfa yields are estimated to be 2.13 tonnes per acre, while green feed is estimated to be2.63 tonnes per acre. Irrigated alfalfa yields are estimated to be 2.79 tonnes per acre, with green feed yield estimated at 3.34 tonnes per acre. Silage yields are estimated to be 5.67tonnes per acre provincially. 

– Rainfall was variable over the past week with many areas receiving little to no rainfall. The highest rainfall recorded fell in the Christopher Lake area at 42 mm, followed by the Foam Lake area at 36 mm. The Marengo area received 32 mm and the Prince Albert area received 30 mm over the past week. 

– Topsoil moisture continued to decline this week. Provincially, cropland topsoil moisture israted as 29 per cent adequate, 53 per cent short and 18 per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at 27 per cent adequate, 51 per cent short and 22 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 20 per cent adequate, 50 per cent short and 30 percent very short. 

– The lack of moisture and heat continues to be the main cause of crop damage across the province. Wind, aphids and grasshoppers also caused crop damage over the past week with varying degrees of damage reported. As canola continues to mature, producers are observing sclerotinia stem rot emerging in their fields.

EAST-CENTRAL SASKATCHEWAN

– As producers continue to get harvest equipment ready, some pulse crops are just starting to be desiccated within the region. Currently, the region sits at one per cent of harvest complete for the year. 

– Producers have been making progress harvesting mainly winter cereals. Currently, 25 percent of the fall rye has been harvested along with two per cent of the winter wheat. An additional seven per cent of the fall rye has been harvested for feed along with an additional two per cent of winter wheat harvested for feed. 

– Haying operations are progressing in the region with some producers wrapping up. No second cut is anticipated. Dryland alfalfa yields are estimated to be 2.02 tons per acre with green feed estimated at 3.33 tons per acre and tame hay estimated at 1.73 tons per acre. Irrigated alfalfa is estimated to be 3.14 tons per acre and irrigated green feed is estimated to be 4.40 tons per acre. Silage yields are estimated to be 5.28 tons per acre within the region. 

– Rain was variable across the region over the past week. The highest rainfall recorded fell in the Foam Lake area at 36 mm with other surrounding areas reporting 11 to 20 mm over the past week. The Leroy, Manitou Beach and Wroxton areas received 10 mm. Many producers within the region would welcome rain to help with grain fill and bushel weight on later seeded crops. 

– Topsoil moisture continues to decrease with the persistent hot and dry conditions. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 42 per cent adequate, 50 per cent short and eight per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at 48 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and eight per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 38per cent adequate, 43 per cent short and 19 per cent very short. 

– The lack of moisture and heat continue to be the main causes of crop damage throughout the region. Wind, gophers, aphids and grasshoppers continued to cause crop damage over the past week with minor to moderate damage reported. As canola continues to mature, producers are observing sclerotinia stem rot emerging in their fields. 

(Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture News Release)