Crop District 8 – Hudson Bay, Tisdale, Melfort, Carrot River, Humboldt, Kinistino, Cudworth and Aberdeen areas;
Crop District 9AE – Prince Albert, Choiceland and Paddockwood areas
For the Period July 21 to 27, 2020
Haying is progressing in the region and livestock producers currently have 23 per cent of the hay baled or put into silage. An additional 45 per cent is cut and ready for baling. Hay quality is currently rated as seven per cent excellent, 67 per cent good and 26 per cent fair.
There was a varied amounts of rainfall in the region, ranging from zero to 26 mm in the Hudson Bay area. The Bruno and Melfort areas received three mm, the Arborfield area eight mm, the Tisdale area 14 mm and the Spruce Home area 20 mm. The Paddockwood area has received the most precipitation since April 1 (337 mm).
Topsoil moisture conditions improved this past week, with less land being rated as surplus. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent surplus, 86 per cent adequate and nine per cent short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 88 per cent adequate and nine per cent short. Crop District 8B is reporting that 23 per cent of the cropland and 32 per cent of the hay land and pasture is short topsoil moisture at this time.
Warm weather helped speed up crop development in the region. Some farmers, particularly in Crop District 8B, reported that some crops are showing signs of stress from lack of moisture. The majority of crop are in fair-to-excellent condition.
Most of the crop damage this past week was due to localized flooding and hail. There has also been reports of damage caused by wild life, insects and disease.
Farmers are busy haying, scouting for pests, spraying and fixing equipment.