Crops advancing quickly due to recent heat wave

The current heat wave in Saskatchewan is helping crops across the province catch up to those of previous years.

In its weekly crop report, Saskatchewan Agriculture said recent rains and warm weather helped crops that are slightly behind the average stage of development for this time of year.

The report said 89 per cent of fall cereals, 77 per cent of spring cereals, 74 per cent of oilseeds and 84 per cent of pulse crops are developing at normal rates for this time of year. The temperatures in the forecast are expected to help crops catch up to the yearly average.

According to Saskatchewan Agriculture, some crops in the southern areas of the province “are beginning to dry-down and local producers expect harvest operations to begin in the coming weeks.”

After rain fell across the province during the past week — the Kuroki area in east-central Saskatchewan got the most precipitation at 51 millimetres — cropland topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate, 11 per cent short and one per cent very short.

The rain delayed haying, so producers have 22 per cent of the hay crop cut and 20 per cent baled or put into silage. The report said hay yields have been below normal for many producers, meaning a second cut may not be possible this year.

Localized flooding, hail, strong winds and lack of moisture caused crop damage. Diseases and insects such as grasshoppers also have caused problems in some fields.