Warm weather, rain helping crops develop across Sask.

Farmers across the province welcomed some good growing conditions this past week, with warmer temperatures and rainfall helping crop development.

According to the weekly crop report from Saskatchewan Agriculture, 86 per cent of fall cereals, 75 per cent of spring cereals, 70 per cent of oilseed crops and 82 per cent of pulse crops are at a normal stage of development for this time of year.

The report says the majority of crops are in fair to excellent condition.

Most of the province received rainfall this week, with the Neilburg area receiving the most with 116 millimetres. Since April 1, the St. Walburg area has received the most rainfall with 376 mm.

The rain has been welcome in many regions, but high rainfall amounts in some west-central and northern regions resulted in localized flooding and standing water. As a result, producers couldn’t get onto their fields for spraying and haying.

Livestock producers now have 13 per cent of the hay crop cut and 11 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as five per cent excellent, 65 per cent good, 25 per cent fair and five per cent poor.

The report said most of the crop damage this week was caused by flooding, hail, wind, lack of moisture, lodging, gophers and insects.