Although still strong, the condition rating for most Saskatchewan crops slipped from two weeks ago as large parts of the province continued to dry out.
This past week did feature several heavy thunderstorms – some of which were accompanied by hail - but the latest weekly crop report on Thursday said the moisture was very localized, leaving many areas still in need of moisture amid high daytime temperatures and strong winds. Cropland topsoil moisture was rated 2% surplus, 66% adequate, 28% short and 4% very short as of Monday, deteriorating from 7% surplus, 78% adequate, 14% short and 1% very short a week earlier.
The spring wheat and durum crops were rated 81% and 72% good to excellent as of Monday, down from 87% for both as of the end of May. The condition of the barley crop was down 6 points to 82% good to excellent, while the canola and flax crops fell 4 and 3 points, respectively, to 77% and 83%.
At 82% and 75% good to excellent, the condition ratings for the pea and lentil crops were down 5 and 6 points from two weeks ago, and the canary rating lost 7 points to 84%. The condition of the mustard crop slipped a modest 1 point from two weeks ago to 74%, while chickpeas dropped to 64% good (0% excellent) from 61% good and 7% excellent.
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