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Agronomy
Moisture conditions improve in Saskatchewan thanks to rainfall
June 12, 2020 By Saskatchewan Agriculture
Saskatchewan Agriculture has released their crop report for June 2-8.
Seeding is virtually complete in most areas of the province, with 98 per cent of the crop now planted. Regionally, seeding is 99 per cent complete in the southeast and southwest, 98 per cent complete in the east-central, west-central and northwest regions and 97 per cent complete in the northeast. There are a few fields being seeded for green feed and silage.
Most regions of the province received at least some rainfall this week, with the northwest and west-central regions receiving a substantial amount. The rain was welcome in most areas, but there were reports of localized flooding in areas that received high amounts. The areas around St. Walburg received the highest amount of rain in the province this week with 154 mm, and has received the most precipitation since April 1 (234 mm total).
Due to the rainfall this week, the topsoil moisture conditions in Saskatchewan have improved. Higher amounts of rain in the west-central region have significantly improved moisture conditions in the area, but there are more fields rated as having surplus moisture in the northern regions. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent surplus, 74 per cent adequate, 20 per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 60 per cent adequate, 29 per cent short and five per cent very short.
Dry conditions have delayed emergence of smaller seeded crops such as canola and flax. Seventeen per cent of the fall cereal crops are in the shotblade stage and 22 per cent are heading, while 52 per cent of the spring cereals are emerging and 34 per cent are tillering. Forty-five per cent of the canola is emerging and 34 per cent is in the seedling stage. Twenty-one per cent of flax is in the seedling stage. Fifty-four per cent of pulse crops are emerging and 42 per cent are in the vegetative stage.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to strong winds, dry soil conditions, insects including flea beetles and cutworms, as well as localized flooding specifically in parts of the west-central and northwest regions. Some farmers are reseeding due to flea beetle and cutworm damage.
Farmers have been busy spraying for weed and insect control, hauling grain and moving cattle to pasture.
