News
Crops still behind despite moisture

July 17, 2009

by Annie McLeod

Rainfall across much of the province last week has improved topsoil moisture conditions, but warmer weather is needed to advance crops, according to the weekly crop report from Saskatchewan Agriculture.

"The rain has certainly improved the moisture conditions, and the topsoil moisture conditions, of most of the crops," said agriculture spokesman Grant McLean this week.

But like most July precipitation, moisture conditions are variable, he said. Some areas received up to 145mm of rain, while others received none

Topsoil moisture conditions throughout the province are reported as six percent surplus, 80 percent adequate and 14 percent short. Topsoil moisture conditions for hay and pasture land are 74 percent adequate, 22 percent short, and three percent are very short.

"I think the biggest concern now for most crop producers is now to have some heat so we can get this crop advanced," he said. "The majority of the crops are behind where we'd normally expect to see them in mid-July."

Progress of crops generally all behind