Crop District 5 – Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville and Kelvington areas;
Crop District 6A – Lumsden, Craik, Watrous and Clavet areas
For the Period July 9 to July 15, 2019
| East-Central |
| |
% Ahead |
% Normal |
% Behind |
| Fall Cereals |
3 |
53 |
44 |
| Spring Cereals |
1 |
50 |
49 |
| Oilseeds |
1 |
37 |
62 |
| Pulse Crops |
0 |
72 |
28 |
Regionally, crop conditions range from poor to good; however, producers have commented that a few pea crops are in excellent condition. Crop development is normal-to-behind in the region. Fifty-three per cent of the fall cereals, 50 per cent of the spring cereals, 37 per cent of the oilseeds and 72 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year.
Precipitation this past week ranged from trace amounts to 52 mm in the Wynyard area. The Esterhazy area received 24 mm, the Elfros area, 20 mm, the Wadena area 16 mm, the Bethune area 48 mm, and the Meacham area 17 mm. The Ituna area has received the most precipitation since April 1 (267 mm). Across the region, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 87 per cent adequate and 12 per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 78 per cent adequate, 20 per cent short and one per cent very short.
Haying is progressing and 10 per cent of the hay crop has now been cut and six per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as five per cent excellent, 26 per cent good, 37 per cent fair and 32 per cent poor. Hay crops will have a significantly reduced yield and pastures, while improved, may have a reduced carrying capacity into the summer months.
Producers have been applying fungicides to crops where warranted. The majority of crop damage this past week was from strong winds, hail and localized flooding.
Farmers are busy haying and scouting fields.