Faster Than Normal Crop Development

REGINA - Jun 16/16 - SNS -- Crops are developing more quickly than usual in Saskatchewan, judging from the latest crop report from the province's agriculture department.

Across the province, 73% of Saskatchewan's pulse crops, 60% of the fall cereals, 75% of the spring cereals and 73% of the oilseeds are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. More significantly, 20% of the pulse crops are ahead of normal development for this time of year, compared to 39% of the fall cereals, and 17% of the spring cereals and oilseeds.

In its crop report, Saskatchewan Agriculture suggested this reflected the impact of another warm week across the province. Rainfall was also recorded across most of the province. Farms in southeastern, southwestern and east-central regions recording the greatest amounts. Areas in the drier northwest also received much-needed rain this week.

Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 4% surplus, 85% adequate, 9% short and 2% very short. There are both shortages and surpluses of topsoil moisture in the province. In crop districts 1A and 2B, 23% of cropland has surplus topsoil moisture; in Crop District 9B, 31% of cropland is short topsoil moisture.