Some Saskatchewan crops suffering from excess moisture

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Rain delayed fieldwork last week, including herbicide spraying, haying and scouting for crop disease and pests. The Foam Lake area recorded the most rain at 110 millimetres, while the Elfros and Lacadena areas each had 68 mm. Most areas reported 20 to 50 mm. 

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In drier areas, two per cent of seeded acreage is affected, while five per cent of forage crops could have significantly lower yields and five per cent of pastures could have reduced carrying capacity. 

While most crops are at a normal stage of development, Osei said a sizable portion of oilseed crops are behind because of cool, cloudy and rainy conditions. 

“Oilseed crops are the farthest behind provincially, with 50 per cent at a normal stage and 45 per cent behind for this time of year,” he said. 

Excess moisture was the main cause of crop damage reported last week. Topsoil moisture levels for cropland, hay land and pasture remain adequate across the province. 

“This is causing minor to moderate damage in most areas, with a few areas reporting severe impacts. We also have moderate to severe damage from gophers and strong winds. Hail has caused some minor to moderate damage in isolated areas, and flea beetles continue to persist with moderate levels of damage. Minor damage from cutworms has also been observed in other areas,” Osei said. 

Rain helped livestock water supplies, with 87 per cent expected to remain adequate for the foreseeable future. Four per cent are rated moderately short, and nine per cent are expected to be short over the next two months. 

Farmers with a Crop Insurance contract who had land unseeded as of June 20 because of excessive moisture may be eligible for an Unseeded Acreage claim. Today, June 25, is the deadline to submit a claim. Claims submitted between June 26 and July 2 will incur a 25 per cent penalty, up to $1,000. Claims made July 3 or later are not eligible.

No liability is accepted for crops seeded after June 20. Greenfeed is an exception, with a seeding deadline of June 30. Acres seeded between June 20 and June 30 to an insured greenfeed crop are insured as greenfeed and are not eligible for an Unseeded Acreage claim. 

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com