Wild weather tore through parts of Saskatchewan this past week, leaving crops as well as buildings and trees damaged.
The latest weekly crop report on Thursday said affected areas were hit with hail, thunderstorms and even tornados – the latest in a series of weather-related challenges for producers in the province.
The Duck Lake area reported nearly 100 mm of rain over only two days while the Earl Grey area received 78 mm over the course of the week, resulting in lodged crops and flooding, the report said.
And it hasn’t only been storms. Canola crops across the province have suffered from heat and humidity, the report said, adding many producers are reporting their crops have experienced heat blasting and are worried about the effect it will have on their yields. Meanwhile, for those producers in areas that have dealt with dry conditions since the beginning of the growing season, the rain has likely come too late to improve their crops.
Provincially, 74% of the fall cereals, 65% of the spring cereals, 61% of the oilseeds and 74% of the pulse crops were at their normal stages of development for this time of year as of Monday. Producers have indicated that cereals are heading out and are hopeful that the head will fill now that moisture is adequate in many areas. Canola is flowering and podding throughout the province, the report said.
Cropland topsoil moisture was rated 9% surplus, 63% adequate, 24% short and 4% very short as of Monday, compared to 4% surplus, 69% adequate, 23% short and 4% very short a week earlier.
Southeast:
Strong storms that blew through the region is past week left some crops lodged, damaged buildings, bins and machinery and blew some hay swaths across some fields. The region also received rain this past week which will help crops develop their seeds and kernels, but it did cause delays to some producers who were waiting for cut hay to dry down.
Scattered rain showers were received across the region with the Regina, Radville and Grenfell areas seeing the highest concentration of precipitation receiving more than 50 mm. Much of the region experienced anywhere between nil and 30 mm, some areas needed the rain while others are now dealing with low areas flooding again and difficulty entering fields.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 17 per cent surplus, 62 per cent adequate, 10 per cent short and eleven per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 16 per cent surplus, 71 per cent adequate, six per cent short and two per cent very short. Due to most of the region having adequate moisture since the beginning of the growing season, many producers report their crops look very good, besides the areas that are flooded out.
Fifty-three per cent of fall cereals, 51 per cent of spring cereals, 54 per cent of oilseeds, and 59 per cent of pulses are rated to be at their normal stages of development for this time of year. The recent heat and humidity have accelerated growth of some crops while excessive moisture has slowed others.
Southwest:
Crops in the southwest have suffered through dry conditions all season long and the rain showers that parts of the region are now getting will do little to improve them. This rain will however, maintain the current yield potential. The crops that will benefit most from the rain will be late seeded or reseeded crops that are not as developed, overall crops are ripening faster than normal, and producers are expecting lower than average yields for much of their crop.
A few areas in the region received rain this past week. It was too late for many annual crops but it might help hay and pasture regrowth.
Seventy-nine per cent of fall cereals, 70 per cent of spring cereals, 68 of oilseeds and 74 per cent of pulses were rated to be at their normal stages of development. In the extremely dry areas of the region, crops ahead in development and have suffered in terms of yield due to their rapid growth.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 50 per cent adequate, 43 per cent short and six per cent very short.
East-Central:
It was another warm week for many parts of the east central region accompanied by some light rains. This has allowed crops to continue to develop but most producers indicate they are two weeks behind normal. The central part of the region around the Foam Lake areas is beginning to become dry, and producers say they need more rain to carry their crops to harvest.
The region received very little rainfall last week that ranged from nil amounts to 78 mm in the Ituna area. The region needs more rain going forward into August, but producers are happy to see some warm dry days which have allowed for better crop growth.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as nine per cent surplus, 80 per cent adequate, 11 per cent short and four per cent very short.
Seventy-six per cent of fall cereals, 55 per cent of spring cereals, 51 per cent of oilseeds and 74 per cent of pulses are in their normal stages of development for this time of year. A large percentage of spring cereals and oilseeds are behind, due to delayed seeding dates and excess moisture.
West-Central:
The west-central region experienced hot windy days this past week that resulted in more rapid crop growth and many fields are now well ahead in their development, producers are worried this has lowered yield potential of some fields. Pastures are also suffering from the lack of moisture in the region with many producers thinking about the damage pastures have taken and how long cattle can remain on them. Crops such as canola are dropping their flower pedals prematurely due to the heat and dry conditions, while cereals are rapidly heading out. Producers hope it rains soon so yield potential won’t drop further.
There was some highly concentrated precipitation in the Langham area where 84 mm was received but overall, the region received very little rainfall, with the average rainfall being between nil and 10 mm.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 56 per cent adequate, 33 per cent short and eight per cent very short.
Seventy-five per cent of the fall cereals, 72 per cent of the spring cereals, 68 per cent of oilseeds and 79 per cent of pulses are in their normal stages of development for this time of year. While most of crops are in their normal stages, another week of hot weather will advance their growth rapidly.
Northeast:
Crops in the region are reported to be growing nicely and the recent heat this past week has quickened their growth slightly. Producers are happy they have soil moisture reserves to keep their crop from drying out too much. Most crops are reported to only be about seven days behind normal development. The warm weather made for easy haying.
There were no large rainstorms in the region this past week; however, there was still some decent precipitation received, with 35 mm in the Humboldt area. Throughout the region, most areas got between five to 20 mm which was welcomed, but most producers would like to see some warmer but less humid days.
Topsoil moisture is now rated as 13 per cent surplus, 71 per cent adequate and 17 per cent short.
Ninety per cent of fall cereals, 70 per cent of spring cereals, 62 per cent of oilseeds and 84 per cent of pulses are rated as being in their normal stages of development. Most crops are growing well, apart from oilseeds, which are rated as being 38 per cent behind in development, this is likely due to excess moisture slowing down growth.
Northwest:
Another week of hot temperatures has made some crops begin to rapidly advance their development; some canola has experienced heat blasting which will lower yield potential. The temperatures have helped producers with their haying operations and many were able to make great progress.
There wasn’t much rainfall this week across the region but the Duck Lake area did receive 99 mm over the course of the week, resulting in some flooding in that area with low areas collecting and holding water. Crops that are now sitting in water will quickly deteriorate unless the water is absorbed quickly.
Cropland topsoil moisture is now rated as 18 per cent surplus, 52 per cent adequate, 28 per cent short and two per cent very short.
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