Saskatchewan yield potential further declined this past week, amid continued hot, dry conditions.
In fact, it is probably now already too late for many of the more advanced crops to see any improvement even if it did rain, according to the latest provincial crop report on Thursday. Additionally, it is unlikely that a second cut of hay will be possible in most areas of the province due to the lack of moisture, it added.
Many areas received only trace amounts of rainfall or none this past week, with the Hafford area seeing the greatest amount at 15 mm. That was followed by the St. Walburg area at 14 mm and the Aneroid area at 11 mm.
Provincially, cropland topsoil moisture was rated 41% adequate and 59% short to very short as of Monday. That is down from 50% adequate and 50% short to very short the previous week but still better than 13% adequate and 87% short to very short a year earlier.
In the southern parts of the province, pulses are being desiccated with many just starting to be harvested. Cereals are also being harvested for feed in the southern region, the report said, with 1% of the barley, 3% of the oats, and 7% of the fall rye harvested for feed as of Monday.
“Producers indicate there will likely be an increase in the amount of cereal crops that are harvested for feed given the concerns over yield potential under the current conditions,” the report said.
In addition to the heat and lack of rain, crop damage this past week was due to lodging, grasshoppers, and aphids.
Southeast:
Many producers in the region are preparing harvest equipment and desiccating pulse crops. A few producers are just starting to harvest earlier seeded pulses along with cereals that are being harvested for feed. Haying is nearing completion with no second cut anticipated due to the lack of moisture.
Minimal rain was received over the past week with two mm being the most recorded in the Esterhazy and Tantallon areas, while the rest of the region received no rainfall.
With the persistent dry and hot conditions, topsoil moisture continues to decline. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 34 per cent adequate, 57 per cent short and nine per cent very short.
Southwest:
Producers in the region are preparing harvest equipment and desiccating pulse crops. A few producers have already started to harvest pulses along with an increased number of cereals that are being harvested for feed. Haying is nearing completion with no second cut anticipated due to the lack of moisture.
Rainfall was variable within the region; the Aneroid area received the highest amount at 11 mm. The Webb area received nine mm and the Gouldtown area received eight mm. Most of other areas within the region received smaller amounts to no rainfall over the past week.
Topsoil moisture continues to decline with the persistent hot and dry conditions. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 13 per cent adequate, 49 per cent short and 38 per cent very short.
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