Drought continues to hamper farming conditions: crop report

Saskatchewan’s latest crop report says farmers throughout the province are expecting below-average yields this year.

Livestock producers already have 15 per cent of their hay cut and 75 per cent baled and put into silage, but a second cut is “extremely unlikely.”

The report, which covers the period from July 20 to July 26, says any rain now is too late to raise yields this year but would have a positive effect for next year.

Weeks of intense heat and very little rain as well as strong winds, hail and grasshoppers have “rapidly deteriorated crop conditions,” the report says.

Most Saskatchewan crops are rated as “poor”  to “fair” quality.

Rainfall this past week varied throughout the province, ranging from none in many areas to 55 mm in areas around Indian Head and Neilburg. The Lumsden area received 33 mm, the Langenburg area 30 mm and the Saltcoats area 24 mm, according to the weekly report.

Topsoil moisture levels are continuing a downward spiral. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent adequate, 38 per cent short and 58 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent adequate, 27 per cent short and 71 per cent very short.

“All crops are well ahead of their normal developmental stages for this time of year and many are ripe enough to begin harvest. Some producers have started harvesting, while others are still assessing yields and determining if cutting and baling is the better option,” the report continued.

“There is little producers can do at this point in the season to address these environmental factors out of their control.”

— With files from The Canadian Press