Murray Wood: Who's scary... and who's scary good?
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Crop, pasture and hay conditions are generally in good shape in Saskatchewan, but rain and hail caused issues in some areas and crop development is behind due to cool temperatures.
That’s according to the weekly Crop Report from the Ministry of Agriculture, which covered the week ending on Monday. The widespread rain that fell in the final week of June did cause some flooding of crops in low-lying areas, the report noted, while other areas of the province are hoping for some additional moisture.
But while cool temperatures have impeded crop development and slowed down haying operations, the promise of warmer weather in the days ahead has producers feeling more optimistic.
“Overall, crop development continues to fall behind normal for this time of year due to the cooler and wet conditions,” the report noted. “Producers are looking forward to the potential for warmer weather to assist crop advancement.”
The Goodeve area received 143 millimetres of rain over the week ending on Monday, and Ituna was close behind with 133 millimetres. Rostown got 130 millimetres, while the Biggar area got 120 millimetres.
While the rain has largely staved off the drought conditions seen on Saskatchewan farms last summer, the report said there is excess moisture in 14 per cent of cropland, nine per cent of hayland and five per cent of pastures. Meanwhile, six per cent of cropland is short on moisture, as is one per cent of hayland and two per cent of the province’s pastures.
“Currently, 29 per cent of pastures are reported as excellent, 57 per cent are good, 13 per cent are fair and one per cent are reported as poor,” the ministry noted.
“Hay quality is rated as 25 per cent excellent, 69 per cent good and six per cent fair.”
Most of the crop damage reported over the week ending on Monday was a result of the rainfall, with standing water in some low areas leaving the crops with a very limited chance of recovery. Other areas are seeing crop yellowing, stunting and root rot due to the excess moisture.
Gophers are presenting a persistent problem this year, the ministry noted, especially for canola crops. Grasshoppers are less of a problem, as the cooler weather has kept the populations lower than normal.
“As most producers wrap up weed spraying, some acres are yet to be covered due to the frequent rain and wind delays,” the report stated.
“Producers will continue to monitor their fields for pests and diseases.”
The full crop report can be found on the provincial government’s website.
