(Submitted photo/Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture)

By Alice McFarlane

Saskatchewan Crop Report 2021

Intense heat stresses Saskatchewan crops, dries out pastures

Jun 30, 2021 | 12:00 PM

MELFORT, Sask. — Saskatchewan crops need rain.

The latest report from the province said most crops are in fair to good condition.

Crops extension specialist Shannon Friesen said while many areas received rainfall, it was not enough to improve soil moisture conditions or to offset the effects of the current heat wave.

“The heat is not good for the crops, especially when we’ve had a lack of moisture for so many weeks,” Friesen said. “Of course, with these hot, dry conditions, crops are advancing very quickly. They’re stunted and short. We have very thin canopies.”

Friesen said as crops, like canola, enter the flowering period there is an impact on yields.

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Provincially, 56 per cent of fall cereals, 61 per cent of spring cereals, 58 per cent of oilseed crops and 60 per cent of pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year.

Rainfall in the province ranged from zero to 28 millimeters in the Vonda area.

Moisture levels declined sharply with cropland topsoil moisture rated as zero per cent surplus, 31 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 27 per cent very short.

Hay and pastureland topsoil moisture has declined as well. Friesen said most producers said this year’s hay crop did not reach a satisfactory quantity or quality and are hoping that will change with a sufficient amount of rain.

Friesen said most of the crop damage was weather related.

“Most of it did come from the extreme heat. We’ve had some strong and very drying winds and the extremely dry soil conditions is what’s really taking a toll,” Friesen said. “We’ve had reports of insect damage, as well as gophers.”

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

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