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Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Agriculture says some rain would be welcomed by the province’s farmers as they get set for harvest.
According to the ministry’s weekly crop report, moisture conditions were reduced over the past week and more precipitation is needed to help crops during the seed-filling stage.
The report said cropland topsoil moisture was rated as 51 per cent adequate, but 37 per cent short and 12 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture was 38 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and 21 per cent very short.
Producers in some areas of the province reported premature ripening and damage from high heat during the week.
The ministry said one per cent of the crop has been combined and two per cent has been swathed or is ready to straight-cut. That’s slightly behind the average for the past five years for this time of year, which is two per cent combined and three per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Fifty-two per cent of fall rye, 19 per cent of winter wheat, six per cent of field peas and three per cent of lentils are in the bin.
Harvest is the furthest along in the south and west-central regions, with two per cent of the crop combined in the southwest and one per cent combined in the southeast and west-central areas.
Crop damage during the week was caused by wind, dry conditions, heat, wildlife and grasshoppers. There also were reports of hail in some areas.
Government invests in new ag technology
The provincial government announced it was investing $15 million to help develop new agricultural technologies.
The money from Innovation Saskatchewan will be invested in a privately managed fund and will flow to agtech companies that need venture capital to move from the startup phase and grow their operations and manufacturing.
The government’s hope is its investment will produce interest from private investors.
“Saskatchewan is rising to the challenge of feeding a growing world population and innovation in agriculture technology plays an important role in meeting that growing demand,” Agriculture Minister David Marit said in a media release.
“This investment will ensure producers have made-in-Saskatchewan technology that supports their efforts to grow high-quality, sustainable food.”
