(ID 146902350 © Viktoriia Oleynichenko Dreamstime.com)

By Alice McFarlane

Crop Report 2019

Bring on the sunshine

Jul 11, 2019 | 3:11 PM

Recent rains have helped crops in Saskatchewan but warm weather is needed to push crop development.

According to the province’s weekly report 67 per cent of fall cereals and 32 per cent of spring cereals are in the heading stage while 38 per cent of canola and mustard and 54 per cent of pulse crops are flowering.

Crops Extension Specialist Cory Jacob said crops have advanced nicely in the past week.

We’re not too bad if you look at the long term average but still a bit behind,” Jacob said. “I think if we get some good weather and some moisture, crops will still keep growing and advancing along quite well.”

Jacob said crops are rated from poor to good condition.

Responsive measures

Some Sask. farmers to get winter elk hunting permits next year to protect land

Mar 12, 2026

Buy Now, Pay Later!

Spring 2026 Early Buy Program

Mar 09, 2026

SARM Convention

Sask RMs gather to address come concerns

Mar 06, 2026

“They’ve definitely perked up a little bit but there are still some that are poor and maybe that moisture was too late. Some are coming along and improving a little bit,” Jacob said. “I think some optimism has come back but we need to be realistic as well as to what we can get from the way the year started out.”

Quill Lakes area farmer Norm Hall said crop development in his district varies from field to field and crop to crop.

“Canola starting blooming the first of July which is normal but there are plants that are just cabbaging right now. That’s going to take an awfully long fall and it’s going to be interesting harvesting,” Hall said. “The wheat is about average, maybe a little ahead because it was pushed by the dry weather. The peas are on par.”

Hall said weed control has been tough because of the varying stages of the crop.

“It’s been an absolute horror all year. Either you try to do it on time with the majority of it whether there were weeds or not, or you left it until there were weeds and you’re spraying the wheat when it’s in shot blade or the peas when they’re ready to start blooming,” Hall said. “Fungicides are a tough one to begin with and now with different stages of the crops it’s almost impossible.”

Hall was asked what the crop needs right now.

“Just a good long stretch of warm weather with the odd shower at night,” Hall said.

–

alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF