CARLYLE - It was a hot, humid week in much of the southeast region, with the heat helping crops to develop. Many of the crops are behind their normal development stage and producers are hoping for warm, dry weather to aid crop development and allow for hay operations to resume.
Excess rain has slowed crop development and resulted in losses from drowned out low spots. However the adequate moisture has also helped support crop growth and potential yield. 29 per cent of fall cereals, 48 per cent of spring cereals, 52 per cent of oilseeds and 44 per cent of pulse crops are behind their normal stages of development. Most of the crops in the region are rated as fair to excellent.
Much of the region received rain this past week. Some areas received isolated heavy rains that resulted in flooding as well as hail. While most of the southeast is hoping for warm, dry conditions, areas of the western part of the region are dry and need more rain. Rainfall ranged from none in some areas to 89 mm in the Bienfait area. The Marquis and Avonlea areas received two mm of rain, the Wilcox area nine mm, the Moosomin area 10 mm, the Kisbey area 13 mm, the Frobisher area 30 mm and the Broadview area 37 mm.
Topsoil moisture levels are similar to the previous week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as seven per cent surplus, 83 per cent adequate, eight per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 89 per cent adequate, four per cent short and three per cent very short. Crop district 2B is reporting 33 per cent of cropland topsoil moisture and 38 per cent of hay and pasture land as short or very short. Crop district 1B is reporting 17 per cent of cropland topsoil moisture and 12 per cent of hay and pasture land as surplus.
The humid, wet conditions have delayed haying for many. Some producers are just starting while others are continuing as weather conditions allow. Livestock producers now have 12 per cent of the hay crop cut and six per cent has been baled or put into silage. Hay quality at this time is rated as 25 per cent excellent, 70 per cent good and five per cent poor.
Most crop damage this past week was due to localized flooding and hails, strong winds, lack of moisture, grasshoppers, gophers and waterfowl. Producers are spraying fungicides and cutting and baling hay as conditions allow.
