More moisture needed to help Sask. crops develop, gov’t says

Saskatchewan producers may have been pleased with the rain that fell in the past week, but they could use more.

“Although this additional rainfall has alleviated concerns of dry conditions in some areas, more will be needed to help crops develop,” the provincial government said in its weekly crop report Thursday.

“The majority of crops in the province are in poor to good condition, but crop conditions have improved with the recent moisture.”

Crops currently are considered between “behind” and “normal” in their development. Sixty-six per cent of the fall cereals, 56 per cent of the spring cereals, 42 per cent of the oil seeds, and 70 per cent of the pulse crops are considered “normal.”

Topsoil moisture is rated at 11-per-cent short in crop land and 21-per-cent short in hay and pasture land.

Livestock producers have one per cent of the hay crop cut and one per cent baled or in silage. The majority of the hay is rated as excellent, good or fair in quality, but 37 per cent is rated as “poor.”

“Producers have indicated that hay yields reported so far are significantly lower than average due to the lack of moisture this spring,” the report said.

The complete crop report is available here.