Released on July 17, 2014
Warm and relatively dry weather continues to help haying progress and crop development in many areas. Livestock producers now have 25 per cent of the 2014 hay crop cut and 15 per cent baled or put into silage, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report. Seventeen per cent is rated as excellent in quality, 74 per cent good, eight per cent fair and one per cent poor.Recent warm weather has helped many crops recover from flooding stress, but some areas continue to deal with excess moisture. The majority of crops are in fair to excellent condition, but many are behind normal developmental stages. Fifty per cent of fall cereals, 57 per cent of spring cereals and 61 per cent of oilseeds are behind normal stages of development, while 54 per cent of pulses are at normal stages of development for this time of year.
Rainfall this week ranged from trace amounts to 65 mm in the Moosomin area; however, there are some reports of even more rainfall in that area. Topsoil moisture conditions continue to improve in many areas, although other areas will soon need moisture to help crops advance. Across the province, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 17 per cent surplus, 73 per cent adequate and 10 per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 13 per cent surplus, 74 per cent adequate, 11 per cent short and two per cent very short.
Localized flooding, hail and wind have caused the most crop damage this past week. Many producers are reporting damage from cutworms, wheat midge and grasshoppers and from diseases such as leaf spots and root rots.
Farmers are busy haying and controlling diseases and insects.
Follow the 2014 Crop Report on Twitter at @SKAgriculture.
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For more information, contact:
Shannon Friesen
Agriculture
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-3592