Crop Production Update
- Harvest is continuing to progress throughout the province. Field pea and lentil harvest is wrapping up, now producers are busy combining spring-seeded cereals and canola crops.
- Widespread thunderstorms in late August resulted in some crops being damaged by hail. Hail damage was most severe around Duck Lake, Hafford and Odessa, causing significant yield losses in these areas.
- Hessian fly damage has caused lodging in cereal crops around North Battleford, which complicates harvest and causes yield losses. If you suspect hessian fly damage in your field or want to learn more, contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre.
- Hot and dry conditions experienced in much of the province during July hurt yield potential for many crops. Learn more about average yield estimates in your area by reviewing the August 27 to September 2 Crop Report.
Lab Update
During the previous two weeks the Crop Protection Lab (CPL) received 5 plant disease samples for diagnosis, as well as 16 elm tree samples that are being tested for Dutch Elm Disease (DED). The CPL is no longer accepting elm samples until June 2025.
The plant disease samples submitted to the lab have been occurring on wheat, durum, lentil, spruce and willow. Testing is being completed on some of these samples currently. In addition, the lab is diagnosing many samples as part of the provincial pest surveys. All sample submissions to the CPL should adhere to the sample submission guidelines.
The CPL is also beginning to receive weed seeds to be tested for herbicide resistance. If you have weeds that survived a herbicide application and you would like to have further insight into the problem, you can collect seeds and have them tested for herbicide resistance. A kind reminder the submission deadline is January 15, 2025. Please avoid desiccating the crop prior to weed seed collection as the desiccant can skew test results.
In this issue:
Fall Soil Testing: Beneficial Even in Dry Years: Soil testing is beneficial for nutrient management and may even reduce expenses.
Natural Air Grain Drying and Storage: Natural air grain drying is a common practice on Saskatchewan farms. Learn more about grain drying management with natural air and supplemental heat.
Read the Crop Report
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