ASSINIBOIA - Another hot, dry week has crops across the region drying down rapidly, according to the crop report for the period of July 18 to 24. Some producers have started to harvest while others are applying desiccants.
Producers are predicting well below average yields for many of their fields due to limited precipitation all season long. There were light showers in localized areas in the past few weeks, the crops are holding on and producers hope they will have higher yield potentials.
Livestock producers have completed their haying operations with 84 per cent of the hay crop now baled or put into silage with an additional 12 per cent cut and waiting to be baled. Hay quality is rated as 53 per cent good and 47 per cent fair. Hay yields across the region are far lower than the regional and provincial averages.
Producers are looking for alternative feed sources and there are increasing reports of the likeliness to sell portions of cattle herds to lessen the burden on winter feed supplies.
There were small showers throughout the region but this did not impact crops or soil due to the heat. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and 57 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and 59 per cent very short.
The majority of crops in the southwest region are in very poor-to-fair condition with little being rated as good. The region did not receive rain at crucial times during the growing season, leaving crops thin and stunted. Some producers in the region have begun to harvest pulse crops and will be harvesting cereal crops in the coming weeks. Failed crops will likely be sought by livestock producers looking for feed options.
Most of the crop damage this past week was due to drought stress, strong winds, heat and grasshoppers. Producers are busy finishing up haying, conducting yield assessments, harvesting or getting equipment and bins ready for harvest.
