Limited Rain Stressing Saskatchewan Crops

REGINA - Jun 3/08 - SNS -- Seeding of this year's crops is wrapping up in Saskatchewan, but emerging crops are not in as good shape as they were at this time last year, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly crop report.

Provincially, 51% of the fall crops, 50% of the spring cereals, 41% of the oilseeds, and 55% of the pulse crops are rated as being at normal development for this point in the season. Reporters rated the following percentages of emerged crops in good to excellent condition: sunflowers – 72%; triticale – 67%; fall rye, spring wheat, oats, and peas – 63%; durum, barley – 61%; lentils – 58%; canary seed – 53%; canola – 48%; winter wheat – 45%; chickpeas – 44%; mustard – 43%, and flax – 41%.

Rain is critical in many areas for plant growth and development, Saskatchewan Agriculture said. Close to half of all crops are rated at below normal development for this time of year.

Even so, topsoil moisture conditions on crop land improved in the southeast during the past week. Other areas of the province either remained at similar conditions to last week or became drier. Crop reporters rated 44% of crop land as having adequate topsoil moisture, compared to 48% last week. For hay and pasture land, reporters rated 31% as having adequate moisture, down from 39% the previous week.

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