Most crop in the west-central area of Saskatchewan, which includes Lloydminster, are progressing nicely.
According to a recent Saskatchewan crop report, moisture levels have been sufficient. Producers have been applying fungicides to pulse, cereal and oilseed crops to mitigate disease risk.
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Topsoil moisture levels may have declined, but overall moisture levels remain largely sufficient.
Cropland topsoil moisture levels are 76 per cent adequate, 21 per cent short and three per cent very short. For hay crops, soil moisture levels are 67 per cent adequate, 30 per cent short and three per cent very short.
Pasture topsoil moisture levels are one per cent surplus, 66 per cent adequate, 30 per cent short and three per cent very short.
Most producers are noting crop progress is fairly normal this year with only a few areas having inconsistent staging.
By the numbers:
- One per cent of winter cereals are at the flag leaf stage, 22 per cent are heading and 77 per cent are at dough stage.
- Three per cent of spring cereal crops are tillering, four per cent are at stem elongation, 31 per cent are at flag leaf, 60 per cent are heading and two per cent are at dough stages.
- Three per cent of flax is still in the seedling stage, 37 per cent are in stem elongation and 60 per cent are flowering.
- Six per cent of canola and mustard crops are in the rosette stage, 25 per cent are bolting and 69 per cent are flowering.
- Twenty per cent of pulse crops are in vegetative stages, 75 per cent are flowering and five per cent have podded.
Livestock producers are also reporting variable pasture conditions. They report 36 per cent of pastures are in good condition, 52 per cent are fair, 11 per cent are poor and one per cent are in very poor condition.
The west-central area has the most haying left with 72 per cent of hay crops still standing. Eighteen per cent of hay has been cut and another 10 per cent has been baled or silaged.
The quality of hay is average compared to the rest of the province with six per cent considered excellent quality, 56 per cent good, 30 per cent fair and eight per cent poor quality.
Crop damage in the region was low compared to the rest of the province due to dry conditions. The only other notable reports of damage were from wildlife, wind, and grasshoppers, which caused minor damage in some areas.
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