According to Saskatchewan‘s most recent crop report, it’s been dry in much of the northwest as crops are rapidly maturing and struggling to produce seed.
Grain farmers are preparing equipment for harvest while livestock producers are busy moving cattle and hauling water.
The Rabbit Lake area got the most rain in the northwest with 20 millimetres (mm), followed by the Glaslyn area with 14 mm. The Hillmond and Loon Lake areas both got 11 mm while the Paradise Hill area got 10 mm. The rest of the region had minimal rain and remains dry.
The northwest remains the driest in the province as soil moisture levels continue to decline. Cropland topsoil moisture is 23 per cent adequate, 58 per cent short and 19 per cent very short.
Hayland topsoil moisture is a mere eight per cent adequate, 60 per cent short and 32 per cent very short. Finally, pasture topsoil moisture is 10 per cent adequate, 57 per cent short and 33 per cent very short.
The northwest has the highest portion of crops ahead of normal development stages in the province. Nearly all fall cereals are ahead of normal stages along with large portions of other crop types. Despite how advanced many crops are, producers haven’t started harvesting crops yet.
Most pastures in the northwest are currently in rough shape. Only five per cent are in good condition and 25 per cent are fair, while 45 per cent are poor and 25 per cent are in very poor condition. Unfortunately, the northwest has the poorest pasture conditions in the province this year.
Like other parts of the province, dry conditions paired with hot weather is causing varying levels of crop damage in the northwest which continues to hurt yield potential. There are a few reports of grasshoppers causing minor to moderate damage in certain areas as well.
Read more: Crop Report July 8-142025
