Crops in Saskatchewan remain extremely stressed from the lack of moisture and heat the province has been experiencing.
That’s what we learned in the latest crop report. Saskatchewan Agriculture says crops are advancing because of the conditions and many cereal crops have already headed out and are not developing kernels.
The report says any rain received now will not help increase crop yield, but it will help maintain the yields through the heat.
The lack of rain is impacting soil conditions and over half the land is considered very short on moisture.
Saskatchewan Agriculture says some farmers are electing to cut crops as greenfeed.
It is encouraging other producers to do the same to help out cattle ranchers who are feeling the effects of a shortage of livestock feed.
Hay yields are well below normal and most producers aren’t sure if a second cut will be possible this year.
Low hay yields and quality are causing concerns over the amount of feed available to carry over into the winter.
Crop damage this week was from localized hail, strong winds, lack of moisture, heat and grasshoppers.
The report says many producers are assessing the benefit of spraying for grasshoppers in fields that are in very poor condition and are considering cutting them as greenfeed.
The Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation has said it is doubling the low yield appraisal threshold values for producers who salvage their cereal or pulse crops as feed.
The provincial government has also said it’s temporarily increasing the maximum funding from the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program from $50,000 to $150,000.