Crops suffering in Saskatchewan due to heat, lack of rain

Crops in Saskatchewan are feeling the heat.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture crop report released Thursday, the hot temperatures experienced in the province last week combined with a lack of moisture to cause “significant damage” to many crops.

“Yield potential and crop quality will be impacted in many regions,” the report said. “Crops are stunted, thin, yellowing in colour and are prematurely drying down in many areas of the province due to the heat stress and lack of moisture.

“Significant rainfall is needed soon to allow crops to properly fill and avoid irreparable crop damage.”

Crops are progressing around the province, with 27 per cent of fall cereals in the dough maturity stage, 40 per cent of spring cereals in the heading stage, 60 per cent of canola and mustard flowering and 38 per cent of pulse crops in the podding stage.

The lack of rainfall also has caused topsoil moisture levels to plummet.

Cropland topsoil moisture is now rated at 82 per cent short or very short (51 per cent short, 31 per cent very short) and just 18 per cent adequate. The ratings are worse in hay and pasture land, where topsoil moisture is 87 per cent short or very short (44 and 43 per cent, respectively) and just 13 per cent adequate.

Pasture conditions are rated as one per cent excellent, 11 per cent good, 32 per cent fair, 38 per cent poor and 18 per cent very poor.

Haying operations are underway, with 22 per cent of the crop cut and 14 per cent baled or put into silage. The quality of the hay is currently rated as six per cent excellent, 50 per cent good, 32 per cent fair and 12 per cent poor.

The ministry said estimated hay yields are considerably lower than anticipated, so a second cut likely won’t happen this year.