Crop report: Crops remain in poor to good condition

Scattered showers this past week, June 25 to July 1, brought more moisture to many areas of the province. 

 

Although this additional rainfall has alleviated concerns of dry conditions in some areas, more will be needed to help crops develop.

 

 

Scattered showers this past week brought rain to many areas of the region.

 

 

Crops in the region remain in poor to good condition and are behind or at their normal crop developmental stages. Sixty-six per cent of the fall cereals, 74 per cent of the spring cereals, 46 per cent of the oilseeds and 80 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal developmental stages for this time of year.

 

Rain fell across the region this past week, ranging from trace amounts to 58 millimetres in the Star City area. The Hudson Bay area received nine millimetres, the Arborfield area 24 millimetres, the Vonda area 20.2 millimetres and the Bruno and Melfort areas 11 millimetres. The Melfort area has received the most precipitation since April 1 (189 millimetres).

 

Topsoil moisture conditions remain stable. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 87 per cent adequate and seven per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 80 per cent adequate, 17 per cent short and one per cent very short. Crop District 8B is reporting that 84 per cent of cropland and 76 per cent of hay land and pasture have adequate topsoil moisture at this time.

 

Haying is underway, and eight per cent of the hay crop has now been cut and one per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as 11 per cent excellent, 22 per cent good, 45 per cent fair and 22 per cent poor. Many producers have indicated that there will be below average hay yields, but pasture conditions have improved.