Crop District 3ASW – Coronach, Assiniboia and Ogema areas; Crop District 3AN – Gravelbourg, Mossbank, Mortlach and Central Butte areas;
Crop District 3B – Kyle, Swift Current , Shaunavon and Ponteix areas;
Crop District 4 – Consul, Maple Creek and Leader areas
For the Period August 7 to 13, 2018
With 10 per cent of the crop now in the bin, producers in the southwestern region are well ahead of the five-year (2013-2017) average of six per cent for this time of year. Thirteen per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Very little rainfall was reported in the region, with the Lucky Lake and Tyner areas reporting 1 mm and the Shaunavon area 3 mm. The Vanguard area has received the most rainfall (193 mm) in the area since April 1. Extreme temperatures last week and the prolonged lack of moisture have caused crops to dry down rapidly; as a result, yield and quality will be affected. Any future rain will be of little benefit crops, which are rapidly advancing. Many pastures and hay fields are in need of significant rainfall to help them recover from the hot and dry conditions.
Topsoil moisture conditions continue to quickly deteriorate due to lack of moisture, strong winds and hot temperatures. Topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 10 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and 50 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated as six per cent adequate, 31 percent short and 63 per cent very short. All crop districts are reporting that at least 83 per cent of cropland and 89 per cent of hay land and pasture are short to very short topsoil moisture at this time.
Yields reported so far range from about average to well below average; however, the quality of combined crops is good to excellent. Most crop damage this past week was due to strong winds, lack of moisture and hot temperatures. There have been some reports of grasshoppers, as well as stubble and combine fires in drier areas. Livestock feed remains in short supply.
Producers are busy combining and swathing crops.