Farmers are out checking crops again for damage following another weekend of summer storms.
Environment Canada reporting three tornadoes in the Paynton area and another around Blaine Lake on Friday that caused a lot of damage, toppling grain bins and blowing debris.
The storms also resulting in pea to golf ball sized hail in many areas.
Crops Extension Specialist Shannon Chant says when it comes to hail damage to crops, farmers will want to give the crop a few days to see if there is any chance of recovery.
She notes a lot of factors play a role in hail damage from crop staging, to how large the hail is, and how long it lasted.
"A lot of times with hail there are some things that kind of get broken off or you'll get some damage to leaves and different tissue. Hopefully, it's not very big hail, if it is sometimes you can get a whole plant breaking off. So, how much damage is really dependent on the stage, and crop stages are kind of all over the map. If something's heading out and breaks off then obviously that's more of an issue than if it's a younger stage."
She notes if you notice a lot of damage to leaves and stems it's important to keep a closer eye on the crop for disease especially with the higher humidity.
"If there's lots of damage to leaves and stems, then that's an additional point where disease can get into the plant. So you maybe require a bit more scouting of that crop. "
Producers that are concerned about the crop damage should consult their hail insurance company.
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