Farmers weather stormy week, cool temps slow crop development

It was a mixed bag of weather around Saskatchewan this week as farmers dealt with storms, hail, and cool temperatures that slowed down crop development.

According to the weekly crop report from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, which covered the week ending on Monday, the rainy month has led to issues for many farmers in the province.

“Producers report excess moisture, which has been rated as severe in some regions, as water is accumulating in areas of the field and contributing to crop stress,” the report explained. “These areas will remain unseeded and the areas that are seeded may not be able to recover from the current moisture stress.”

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According to the report, the St. Brieux area saw 76 millimetres of rainfall during the week ending Monday, while Carnduff received 70mm of rain. Langenburg wasn’t far behind with 68mm, followed by Rosthern which got 57mm of rain.

“Although rainfall increased topsoil moisture in some regions, others experienced a decrease this week,” the report noted.

Across the province, eight per cent of cropland had a surplus of topsoil moisture due to the rainfall, while 83 per cent of cropland had adequate moisture and nine per cent was short.

In hayland, topsoil moisture was rated at six per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate, 12 per cent short and one per cent very short. Pasture conditions were similar, with moisture levels rated at three per cent surplus, 79 per cent adequate, 17 per cent short and one per cent very short.

“Pastures are reported in good condition overall,” the report noted. “Livestock producers rate hay quality as 31 per cent excellent, 62 per cent good and seven per cent fair. Haying operations are just beginning in the province as the weather allows.”

But while the rain may help stave off the drought conditions Saskatchewan saw in 2023, the cooler weather in June has continued to slow down crop development, particularly in spring wheat and oilseeds.

“Crops in the southwest region of the province are the furthest advanced while crops in the central and northern regions are falling further behind in development,” the ministry said. “Warmer temperatures are needed to help crop development progress.”

But while conditions vary around the province, the report said the majority of crops in good shape.

The rain is also contributing to crop damage due to leaf disease and root rot, while hail and wind also took a toll on crops in some areas. Producers are still assessing which crops will be able to recover.

Frost damage was reported in the past week, but it was largely minor. Gophers and flea beetles are also bringing challenges for producers, with gophers causing such severe damage in some areas that acres needed to be reseeded.

“Producers continue to finish in-crop herbicide applications and insecticide applications where needed as the weather allows,” the report explained.

“In the coming weeks, producers are looking toward fungicide applications given the persistent rainfall that is contributing to disease development. Haying equipment is being prepared with some producers just starting their haying operations. Fence checking continues as cattle are out to pasture.”

The full version of the crop report can be found on the provincial government’s website.