West-Central Saskatchewan

Census Division 12 Biggar, Delisle, Rosetown and Sonningdale areas
Census Division 13 Cut Knife, Kerrobert, Kindersley, Macklin, Plenty and Wilkie areas

For the Period October 14 to 20, 2025

It was a good year for producers in the west-central region. Aside from dry conditions after seeding, timely rains during the growing season greatly supported crop development and yields. Producers faced some challenges with excess moisture in low field areas along with bertha armyworms in canola. Additionally, many fields were sprayed with fungicide to suppress disease development, after receiving rainfall during critical crop stages.

Yields for nearly every crop type grown in the region were higher than the provincial average including the highest average yields for canola, flax, barley, canary seed and lentil crops in the province. Crop quality was also good in the region this year. For cereal crops, most graded in the 1 Canada Western (CW) and 2 CW categories. For oilseed and pulse crops, most graded in the 1 Canada (CAN) and 2 CAN categories.

Fall cereals aren’t a high acreage crop in the region and there was minimal change to seeded acreage from last year. Compared to last year, seeded acres of winter wheat are unchanged and fall rye acres increased by four per cent.

Most feed crops also produced well in the region this year. Silage yielded 5.42 tons per acre which is slightly higher than last year but slightly below the provincial average. For hay crops, average yields were 1.92 tons per acre for alfalfa, 1.25 tons per acre for brome, 1.75 tons per acre for tame hay, 1.75 tons per acre for baled forage and 2.39 tons per acre for greenfeed. Nearly all hay crops were good to fair quality. The first cut of hay was rated as nine per cent excellent, 61 per cent good, 28 per cent fair and two per cent poor. Producers who completed a second cut reported 10 per cent was excellent and 90 per cent was good quality.

Pastures were largely in good to fair condition for much of the growing season, but this has decreased in the last two months due to limited moisture. Currently, one per cent of pastures are in excellent condition, 22 per cent are good, 47 per cent are fair, 17 per cent are poor and 13 per cent are in very poor condition.

Similar to pasture conditions, topsoil moisture levels have declined over the past two months due to limited precipitation. Heading into the winter, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 26 per cent adequate, 45 per cent short and 29 per cent very short. In hayland areas, topsoil moisture levels are 24 per cent adequate, 49 per cent short and 27 per cent very short. For pastures, topsoil moisture is 23 per cent adequate, 50 per cent short and 27 per cent very short. Producers would like to see rain prior to freeze-up and abundant snow this winter to improve soil moisture conditions for next spring.

Since completing harvest, producers have been applying herbicides, tilling fields and drying grain. Reporters are noting that less fall fertilizer is being applied due to the dry conditions. Livestock producers are currently moving cattle home for the winter, preparing them for sale and hauling bales.