Released on June 18, 2015
Much of the province received scattered rainfall that helped replenish topsoil moisture conditions in some regions. However, significant rain is needed soon in many areas to help crops, hay and pasture develop.Topsoil moisture conditions continue to deteriorate despite the recent rain. Provincially, topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as three per cent surplus, 45 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and 17 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 33 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 24 per cent very short.
Much of the hay is in poor condition and concerns about feed shortages continue. The Ministry of Agriculture has a Forage, Feed and Custom Service listing for producers to advertise and source feed products at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/FeedForageListing#bmk.
Crop development is delayed in some areas, mainly due to cool and dry weather. Fifty-one per cent of fall cereals, 60 per cent of spring cereals, 53 per cent of oilseeds and 56 per cent of pulse crops are at their normal developmental stages for this time of year. The majority of crops are in fair to good condition. Crop damage was mainly caused by lack of moisture, hail and insects such as grasshoppers and flea beetles.
Farmers are busy controlling pests and hauling grain.
Follow the 2015 Crop Report on Twitter at @SKAgriculture.
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For more information, contact:
Shannon Friesen
Agriculture
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-3592
Email: shannon.friesen@gov.sk.ca