Heat, lack of moisture continue to hinder crops in Saskatchewan

The hot, dry weather continues to take its toll on crops in Saskatchewan.

In its weekly report, the Ministry of Agriculture said crops throughout the province “will have their yields and quality severely impacted” if there isn’t significant rainfall in the coming days.

“The prolonged period of heat, coupled with the extremely dry conditions of the topsoil, has caused crops to be short, thin and rapidly advancing in many regions of the province due to the stress,” the ministry wrote.

Topsoil moisture levels continue to plummet due to the dry conditions.

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated at just 14 per cent adequate compared to 41 per cent short and 45 per cent very short. That disparity is greater in hay and pasture land, where the moisture level is rated as nine per cent adequate, 36 per cent short and 55 per cent very short.

The conditions also are causing crops to advance through their developmental stage at an accelerated rate, with 36 per cent of fall cereals, 29 per cent of spring cereals, 25 per cent of oilseed crops and 30 per cent of pulse crops ahead of their normal stages of development for this time of year.

According to the report, the majority of crops in the province are in poor to good condition.

So far, 26 per cent of the hay crop is cut and 39 per cent has been baled or put into silage.

With livestock producers reporting significant shortages of feed, the Saskatchewan government announced Wednesday changes to Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation coverage to assist both ranchers and grain farmers.

There also is grass available at no cost through haying in highway ditches and rights of way. Since July 8, producers have been able to harvest any unclaimed hay without seeking permission from the adjacent landowner.

In the southern and central regions, hay in ditches along secondary and rural highways is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bales must be removed before Aug. 15.

In the north, contractors started mowing ditches and rights of way Thursday.

Dry soil conditions, hot temperatures, dry winds, grasshoppers and severe hailstorms caused crop damage around the province during the week.