Farmers in the Lloydminster area are faring better than much of Saskatchewan after a week of heavy rain and hail soaked fields across the province.
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s latest crop report, released July 3 and covering June 23 to 29, shows the west half of the province has the fewest acres of crops behind normal development. Warmer, drier conditions kept local crops on track while other regions deal with flooding and delays.
Where the rain hit hardest
East-central Saskatchewan, stretching from Saskatoon to the Manitoba border, took the worst of it. The Kuroki area recorded 165 millimetres of rain last week, the highest total in the province. Marengo followed close behind at 145 mm. Mikado and Raymore saw 140 mm and 134 mm.
The heavy rain has left fields saturated, with flooding reported in low-lying areas. Cool, wet weather is also slowing crop development and making it difficult for producers to finish spraying and haying.
Moisture levels climb
Provincewide, cropland topsoil moisture is now 36 per cent surplus, 63 per cent adequate and one per cent short.
Hayland moisture sits at 25 per cent surplus, 72 per cent adequate and three per cent short. Pasture moisture is 17 per cent surplus, 80 per cent adequate and three per cent short.
Crop development mixed
Most crop types remain near normal development, though some are behind due to the cool, wet stretch. Three-quarters of fall cereal crops and perennial forages are at normal stages. Two-thirds of pulse crops and annual forages are on track.
Oilseed and spring cereal crops are split about evenly, with roughly half at normal development and half behind.
Two-thirds of fall and spring cereal crops are rated in good condition, with one-quarter rated excellent. Two-thirds of pulse crops are good, with most of the rest excellent. Most oilseed crops were good to excellent at the end of June.
Haying delayed
No hay has been cut, baled or silaged anywhere in the province so far this year. Quality varies widely: 28 per cent of hay is rated excellent, 56 per cent good, 15 per cent fair and one per cent poor.
Producers are waiting on warmer, drier weather before haying operations can begin.
Damage and coverage
Flooding caused the most widespread crop damage last week, with gophers, wind and flea beetles adding minor damage in some areas. Thunderstorms brought hail damage to parts of the province as well.
Rainy conditions have also held up in-crop herbicide applications, which producers are racing to finish before shifting focus to scouting for insects and disease.
Producers with Multi-Peril Crop Insurance are covered for yield loss tied to excess moisture and flooding, as long as crops were established by June 20. Those enrolled in AgriStability can access interim benefits to help with cash flow during flooding. More information is available at scic.ca or by calling Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation at 1-888-935-0000.
The Farm Stress Line is available toll free at 1-800-667-4442 for producers dealing with the strain of an unpredictable season.
Read more: Crop Report: Lloyd area seeding hits 98% as province nears finish
