East-Central Saskatchewan

Census Division 9 – Calder, Canora, Pelly, Preeceville, Sheho and Yorkton areas
Census Division 10 – Foam Lake, Kelliher, Leroy, Raymore and Wadena areas
Census Division 11 – Davidson, Colonsay, Langham, Lanigan, Nokomis, Outlook and Saskatoon areas

For the Period June 18 to 24, 2024

Producers within the region are continuing with in-crop spray applications as the weather allows and monitoring for insect and disease pressure. Livestock producers are getting machinery ready with some haying operations just starting within the region. Fence checking continues as cattle are out to pasture. Severe storms moved through the northwest parts of the region this week causing overall minor damage to crops from hail and wind with a few localized areas reporting moderate to severe damage within the region.

Rain fell throughout much of the region with most areas reporting less then 15 mm for the week. Areas along the south portion of the region experienced higher rainfall amounts with the highest amounts recorded in the Ituna area at 50 mm followed by the Goodeve area at 43 mm.

Topsoil moisture remains in adequate condition for the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 87 per cent adequate and seven per cent short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at 20 per cent surplus, 74 per cent adequate and six per cent short. Pasture topsoil moisture is eight per cent surplus, 74 per cent adequate and 18 per cent short.

Crops are continuing to progress slowly due to the cooler temperatures and past rainfall received within the region. Crops throughout the region have fallen slightly further behind their normal stages of development for this time of year as compared to previous weeks. The furthest behind is oilseed crops at 50 per cent behind the normal stages of development. Perennial forages are the furthest advanced in development at 15 per cent ahead the normal stages of development. Crop conditions are rated mainly as good throughout the region. A full summary of individual crop conditions for all regions can be viewed in the attached crop conditions table.

Producers report that pasture and hay crops are looking good within the region. Hay quality is rated as 24 per cent excellent, 68 per cent good and eight per cent fair. Two per cent of the hay crop is reported as cut with three per cent baled or silaged within the region.

Wind, excess moisture and hail caused minor to moderate crop damage in areas throughout the region. Some crops in low lying areas are showing signs of stress (yellowing) due to excess moisture and in some areas are unlikely to recover. With the frequent rainfall producers continue to note the development of leaf disease in some crops. Frost was also reported but with minor overall crop damage. Gophers and flea beetles continue to cause crop damage with a few areas reporting moderate to severe damage. Producers are taking control measures on later seeded canola in some areas for flea beetles as the slow crop development is not allowing the canola to outgrow the damage being caused.

For more information about East-Central Saskatchewan, explore the Crop Report Dashboard.