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Prairie crop reports show excessive rainfall causing issues

Manitoba

Crops are generally in average to good condition, with the exception of low-lying areas subject to frequent rainfall over the past two weeks.

Hay and forage yields have been variable – generally about 65 per cent of normal yield – with quality concerns arising from frequent rain showers or storms on hay swaths. High winds and driving rain have lodged some cereal and corn crops in the Altona to Morris area.

Grasshoppers are a concern in cereal and soybean fields, with the pests moving into forage fields after crops have been sprayed (or vice versa). Armyworms have been noted in fall rye, spring cereals, and perennial ryegrass. Insecticide applications are ongoing as economic thresholds are reached.

For the full crop report, visit the Manitoba Agriculture website.

Saskatchewan

Warm weather and rainfall this week supported continued crop development. Currently, 86 per cent of the fall cereals, 75 per cent of the spring cereals, 70 per cent of the oilseed crops and 82 per cent of the pulse crops are at a normal stage of development for this time of year. The majority of crops this week are in fair to excellent condition.

Rainfall was received throughout the province this week. While the moisture was welcome in many areas, high amounts of rain in certain parts of the west-central and northern regions resulted in localized flooding and standing water.

Rainfall this week delayed some farmers from haying, but hay is being cut and baled as conditions allow.

There have been reports of disease issues in most regions of the province, including root rot and ascochyta blight in pulses. Some producers have started spraying for fusarium head blight and other diseases as environmental conditions permit.

For the full crop report, visit the Saskatchewan Agriculture website.

Alberta

Precipitation over the first two weeks of June continued across the province, resulting in large areas with excess moisture. Over this time frame, many areas – particularly in the northwest, Peace, and the western parts of the northeast regions – experienced a couple of major weather events.

Crop conditions are deteriorating, with barley, canola and dry peas in the wet areas showing significant yellowing from excess moisture.

As a result of persistent rains, excessive surface and sub-surface soil moisture continue to be an issue in all regions except the southern.

Pasture and tame hay fields are still in a good shape in most parts of the province, particularly in the southern region, where blank areas from past dry years are slowly filling in. However, in some wet areas pastures are flooding and dying off. In these areas, hay fields are also soaked in water, making it impossible for producers to start haying.

For the full crop report, visit the Alberta Agriculture website.