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This week, the north east and east central regions saw the most rain, with the highest amount reported in the Spruce Home and Rhein areas with 32 mm.  The Barthel area reported 21 mm, the Turtleford and Meadow Lake areas reported 14 mm and Melfort reported 10 mm.  Most farmers need more rain, especially in the southern and west central regions of the province, where it is needed to sustain crop and pasture growth.

Crop development is normal for this time of year in most areas, with oilseed crops reported as behind other crops.  Provincially, 62 per cent of fall cereals, 81 per cent of spring cereals, 70 per cent of oilseed crops and 81 per cent of pulse crops are at a normal stage of development for this time of year. 

Many areas of the province also experienced strong dry winds this week, resulting in crop damage, rapidly drying soils and delayed herbicide application.  Delayed herbicide applications have allowed weeds to establish which has resulted in many areas moving past the point of effectively controlling them.

The topsoil moisture across the province is declining due to very high temperatures and non-stop winds.  There were small reports of rain in the province with very few areas receiving enough to alleviate the stress caused by extremely dry conditions.  Producers reported that dry conditions and cool temperatures have greatly slowed hay and pasture growth, with some concerned about their ability to support cattle throughout the summer without more rain.

East-Central Saskatchewan:

·Crop District 5 – Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville and Kelvington areas

·Crop District 6A – Lumsden, Craik, Watrous and Clavet areas

The region did not receive much rain this week except for north-east of Yorkton which saw 32 mm around the Rhein area. The Rama area reported eight mm, the Kenaston and Ituna areas seven mm and the Humboldt area five mm. With the exception of the Rhein area, not enough rain was received to make a positive change to the soil moisture conditions in the region.

Moisture conditions regionally have slightlydecreased over the past week. Crop land topsoil moisture is rated as 55 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and eight per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 40 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and twelve per cent very short.

Due to the absence of good general rains, manyproducers indicated that hay and pasture growth has been affected by the minimal soil moisture. Cool temperatures in the early spring into summer have also slowed crop, hay and pasture development. Most of the region, especially areas that did not receive substantial rain, are hoping for less wind, more precipitation and warmer temperaturesto support later-seeded crops and improve pasture conditions.

Regionally, 61 per cent of the fall cereals, 80 per cent of the spring cereals, 65 per cent of the oilseed crops and 90 per centof the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. One per centof the fall cereals, 16 per cent of the spring cereals, 32 per cent of the oilseed crops and 17 per cent of the pulse crops are behind in crop development.

Farmers are busy spraying herbicides and insecticides, and scouting for insects and disease. Areas that had been damaged by flea beetles are now reseeded and will hopefully catch up to the rest of the crop quickly. There are reports of minor to severe damage on canola due to frost over the weekend.

Provincially, moisture levels on crop and hay and pasture land have fallen, particularly in areas that received little to no rainfall this week.  Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 56 per cent adequate, 36 per cent short and six per cent very short.  Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as zero per cent surplus, 45 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 13 per cent very short.

Moderately warm temperatures have also helped with crop development, and farmers are hopeful with the recent rains that this will continue.  The lack of rainfall across the majority of the province has delayed hay land growth and will likely delay the timing of the first cut, as well as reduce the yield.

Dry topsoil moisture conditions have resulted in delayed emergence and development of later and smaller seeded crops.  There have been reports of flea beetle damage in most regions, affecting canola development for some. 

Farmers have been busy spraying when they can, scouting fields and performing other farm tasks.  There have been isolated reports of frost, mainly in the central and northern regions; damage is not yet known, but the crop of most concern is canola.  There have also been reports of damage from flea beetle, cutworms, gophers and root rot diseases.

A complete, printable version of the Crop Report is available online at .

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