Crop Districts 6B – Hanley, Outlook, Loreburn, Saskatoon and Arelee areas;
Crop District 7A – Rosetown, Kindersley, Eston, Major;
Crop District 7B - Kerrobert, Macklin, Wilkie and Biggar areas
For the Period July 31 to August 6, 2018
Crops continue to rapidly dry down and many producers expect to be in the field within the next week. Desiccation of pulse crops is in full swing. The majority of crops remain in good condition, although they have been affected by the lack of moisture and high temperatures. Yields are expected to be average to below-average overall.
The region received some scattered showers and storms this past week. Parts of the region saw hail and flooding. The Dinsmore area received 20 mm of rain, the Rosthern area 35 mm, the Marengo area 42 mm and the Smiley area 29 mm. The Saskatoon area has received the most precipitation (317 mm) in the region since April 1. Additional moisture is needed to help replenish topsoil moisture, but any rainfall now will come too late for crops, as they have already been affected by lack of moisture and heat stress.
Topsoil moisture conditions have improved slightly with the scattered showers. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 51 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and 14 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 44 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and 21 per cent very short.
Most crop damage this past week was due to wind, lack of moisture and high temperatures. There were some reports of hail causing crop damage. Haying is mostly complete, with yields much lower than normal.
Producers are busy desiccating pulses, hauling bales and beginning combining.
|
Dry land |
Irrigated Land |
| Alfalfa |
0.9 |
3.0 |
| Brome/Alfalfa |
0.8 |
3.0 |
| Other Tame Hay |
0.5 |
3.0 |
| Wild Hay |
0.6 |
1.8 |
| Greenfeed |
1.4 |
3.9 |