Crop development behind schedule in some areas of Saskatchewan

The varied weather conditions across Saskatchewan this spring have taken their toll in different ways on the development of crops in the province.

“Crop development has stalled due to extremely dry conditions in the west, which delayed germination and plant growth,” the Ministry of Agriculture said in its weekly crop report, issued Thursday. “In the east, development has been slow due to overly wet conditions and cooler temperatures.”

Across Saskatchewan, 73 per cent of fall cereals, 55 per cent of spring cereals, 45 per cent of oilseed crops and 64 per cent of pulse crops are developing at their normal pace for this time of year.

The ministry said conditions have improved in both the western and eastern regions, so the hope is that crops can develop normally moving forward.

There was rain across the province during the week, which was badly needed in many areas. However, the ministry noted that farmers who didn’t get rain have said their crops “are starting to go backward in development.”

“Livestock producers in the southern and western regions are happy with the rain since haying is coming up soon and the rain will greatly improve their hay yields,” the report said.

The rain helped improve moisture levels on crop, hay and pasture land.

Cropland topsoil moisture is considered nine per cent surplus, 75 per cent adequate, 15 per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated at six per cent surplus, 68 per cent adequate, 21 per cent short and five per cent very short.

The report said there was frost in some areas that got rain during the week, while additional damage also was caused by flea beetles, cutworms, gophers and hailstorms.