Released on July 21, 2011
Saskatchewan livestock producers made good haying progress over the last week and now have 59 per cent of the hay crop cut. 34 per cent of the hay crop has been baled or put into silage, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's weekly Crop Report.
Haying progress varies across the province. 73 per cent has been cut in the northeast and east-central, 25 per cent in the northwest, 68 per cent in west-central and the southwest, and 54 per cent in the southeast.
45 per cent of the hay crop has been baled or put into silage in east-central, 7 per cent in the northwest, 37 per cent in the northeast, 41 per cent in west-central, 43 per cent in the southwest and 32 per cent in the southeast.
87 per cent of the hay crop is rated as good to excellent in quality with none reported to be in poor condition.
The average hay yields on dry land are reported as 1.8 tons per acre (alfalfa), 1.9 tons per acre (alfalfa/brome), 1.5 tons per acre (other tame), 1.2 tons per acre (wild) and 2.0 tons per acre (greenfeed). On irrigated land, the average hay yields are 2.6 tons per acre (alfalfa), 2.7 tons per acre (alfalfa/brome), 3.3 tons per acre (other tame), 1.1 tons per acre (wild) and 3.7 tons per acre (greenfeed).
85 per cent of fall cereals and 74 per cent of spring cereals are reported to be in good to excellent condition. 72 per cent of the oilseeds and 80 per cent of the pulse crops are reported to be in good to excellent condition. The majority of crop damage is due to flooding, insects, diseases, wind and hail.
Across the province, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 9 per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate and 7 per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 5 per cent surplus, 88 per cent adequate and 7 per cent short.
Farmers are busy haying, scouting crops and controlling diseases and insects. Warm temperatures are helping speed up crop development.
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For more information, contact:
Grant McLean
Agriculture
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-3592