Southwestern Saskatchewan

Census Division 3 – Assiniboia, Gravelbourg, Mankota, Ponteix and Rockglen areas
Census Division 4 – Cadillac, Consul, Eastend, Maple Creek and Val Marie areas
Census Division 7 – Beechy, Central Butte, Craik, Herbert, Hodgeville and Moose Jaw areas
Census Division 8 – Cabri, Elrose, Fox Valley, Leader, Swift Current and Tompkins areas

For the Period June 24 to 30, 2025

In-crop herbicide applications have largely wrapped up and producers are currently monitoring insect and environmental crop damage. Livestock producers were busy cutting hay crops this week. Many expressed disappointment with hay crops this year.

Last week was dry for most of the southwest as there was very little rainfall. The Caron area got the most rain with 22 mm, followed by the Tugaske area which got 11 mm. The other areas that got rain reported negligible amounts and nearly all producers are hoping for plenty of rain in the coming weeks.

Minimal rainfall caused topsoil moisture levels to drop last week. Cropland topsoil moisture is now rated at 28 per cent adequate, 45 per cent short, and 27 per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is 12 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short, and 48 per cent very short. Finally, pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 12 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short, and 47 per cent very short.

Stress from dry conditions and warm temperatures has resulted in approximately one-third of all crops being ahead of normal development stages. Perennial forage crops are the most advanced with 36 per cent of crops being ahead of normal stages. Very few crops are behind normal stages, but annual forages are the least developed with eight per cent of these crops behind normal stages. Crop conditions vary in the southwest depending on the area and crop type, but conditions for most crop types are currently fair. There are also large portions of certain crop types experiencing good and poor conditions. A full breakdown of crop conditions by crop type for all regions can be viewed in the attached crop conditions table.

Producers in the southwest have made the most haying progress in the province so far. Twenty-one per cent of hay crops have been cut, 13 per cent have been baled or silaged, and 66 per cent are still standing. Unfortunately, hay quality in the southwest is some of the lowest in the province. Currently, five per cent of hay is excellent quality, 35 per cent is good, 41 per cent is fair, and 19 per cent is poor quality.

Many crops in the southwest continue to suffer from dry conditions and heat, with damage estimated to be minor to severe depending on the area. Additionally, wind has been causing moderate damage to crops and drying out soil moisture. Gophers are continuing to cause minor damage to crops, while cabbage seed pod weevil damage in canola is minor to severe.