(File photo/Ministry of Agriculture)

By Alice McFarlane

2023 Saskatchewan Crop Report

Heat and rain boost Saskatchewan crop development

Jun 9, 2023 | 11:52 AM

Most Saskatchewan farmers have finished seeding, with others very close to being done.

Ninety-six per cent of the crop is in the ground, according to the latest Ministry of Agriculture crop report.

Conditions were quite dry with the recent heatwave. Provincial Cereals Specialist Sara Tetland said recent rains were welcomed by many to improve moisture conditions, but also caused delays for those trying to finish seeding.

“We’ve seen quite a bit of rainfall and in lots of the fields it is accumulating so some of those low spots are getting flooded out,” Tetland said. “But, for the most part, I’d say producers in the province have been happy to receive that rain, particularly in the western parts of the province but parts of the east as well.”

There was 64 mm of precipitation in the Glenavon area, 53 mm in Mossbank, 45 mm in Rhein, 34 mm in Garrick and 11 mm in Mayfair.

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Cropland topsoil moisture is rated at seven per cent surplus, 78 per cent adequate, 14 per cent short and one per cent very short. The hay and pastureland topsoil moisture is rated at five per cent surplus, 75 per cent adequate, 17 per cent short and three per cent very short.

Tetland said the combination of hot days, warm nights and rain pushed crops ahead of normal.

“Overall, having that heat and moisture has helped crops develop,” she said.

Around 31 per cent of the fall cereal crops are in the jointing stage, 26 per cent are in the shot blade stage and 12 per cent are in the heading stage, while 46 per cent of the spring cereals are emerging and 40 per cent are tillering. Forty-two per cent of the canola is emerging and 42 per cent is in the seedling stage, along with 34 per cent of flax being in the seedling stage. Forty-nine per cent of pulse crops are emerging and 43 per cent are in the vegetative stage.

Crop damage for the week of May 30 to Jun. 5 was from scattered, but widespread storms that caused flooding, hail and wind damage throughout multiple areas of the province. Heat and drought are also causing stress on the crops.

There were reports of insect damage caused by grasshoppers and flea beetles, as well as gophers.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW