Singificant Acreage Loss in Saskatchewan
REGINA - Jul 10/14 - SNS - Eastern Saskatchewan has lost a significant amount of land to localized flooding and saurated fields, argues Saskatchewan Agriculture in its latest crop report.
"Although weather conditions have improved, many crops in these regions have been significantly affected by the excess moisture," the provincial agricultural department said. "Early estimates suggest that between two million to three million acres have been flooded and are unlikely to produce a crop."
The impact on provincial average yields could be partly offset by the fact topsoil moisture conditions are improving for many areas. Across the province, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 34% surplus, 64% adequate and 2% short."
Looking at crop development, the report said most pulse crops are in the vegetative to flowering stages; most flax, canola and mustard seed crops are mostly in the seedling to flowering crop stages; the majority of fall cereals are in the shotblade to dough stages of crop development, while most spring cereals are in the tillering to shotblade stages.
Southeastern Saskatchewan (Crop District 1 - Carnduff, Estevan, Redvers, Moosomin and Kipling areas; Crop District 2 - Weyburn, Milestone, Moose Jaw, Regina and Qu'Appelle areas; Crop District 3ASE - Radville and Lake Alma areas)
Producers in the southeast continue to deal with excess moisture and localized flooding. Many areas of the region received heavy rain that has further set back crop development. Crops that remain in saturated fields are yellowing, and warm and dry conditions are needed soon to help alleviate stress. Many fields, roads and yards continue to be inaccessible due to excess moisture.
The Moose Jaw area received the greatest amount of precipitation for the week (45 mm), while the Moosomin area has received 535 mm since April 1, the greatest amount for both the region and the province. Cropland topsoil moisture conditions have improved and are now rated as 50% surplus and 50% adequate. Hay land and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 34% surplus and 66% adequate.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to localized flooding and wind, but additional damage was caused by insects such as alfalfa weevils and cutworms and from root rot and various leaf diseases. There are reports of golfball-sized hail in some areas that has damaged some crops. In-crop spraying for weeds and diseases continues as field conditions allow.
Farmers are busy cleaning up flooding damage, controlling weeds and haying.
Southwestern Saskatchewan (Crop District 3ASW - Coronach, Assiniboia and Ogema areas; Crop District 3AN - Gravelbourg, Mossbank, Mortlach and Central Butte areas; Crop District 3B - Kyle, Swift Current , Shaunavon and Ponteix areas; Crop District 4 - Consul, Maple Creek and Leader areas)
Rainfall this week ranged from trace amounts to 12 mm in the Shaunavon area. The Limerick area has received the region's greatest amount of rain since April 1 (308 mm). Topsoil moisture for cropland is rated as 3% surplus, 93% adequate and 4% short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 1% surplus, 89% adequate, 7% short and 3% very short.
Crop damage this week is attributed to localized flooding, drought and insects such as cabbage seedpod weevils. Root rots and leaf diseases have also caused some damage in the region. Spraying for weeds, diseases and insects continues as field conditions allow. Crop and hay development has been slow but recent warm weather is helping with growth.
Farmers are busy haying, controlling pests and hauling grain.
East-Central Saskatchewan (Crop District 5 - Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville and Kelvington areas; Crop District 6A - Lumsden, Craik, Watrous and Clavet areas)
Flooded fields, roads and yards continue to affect producers in the east-central region. Many crops are yellowing under severe excess moisture stress. Warm and dry conditions are needed soon.
The Quill Lake area received the most rainfall this week (24 mm) while the Foam lake area is reporting the greatest amount since April 1 (499 mm). Topsoil moisture conditions are improving and are now rated as 68% surplus and 32% adequate on cropland. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 60% surplus and 40% adequate.
In addition to excess moisture and localized flooding, crop damage has also been caused by wind, insects and diseases such as root rot and leaf spots. A storm moved through the area over the weekend, bringing baseball-sized hail and heavy rain that damaged many crops, houses and vehicles. In-crop spraying continues as field conditions allow and many producers have hired aerial applicators to help them spray saturated fields.
Farmers are busy cleaning up flooding damage, controlling weeds and getting ready for haying.
West-Central Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 6B - Hanley, Outlook, Loreburn, Saskatoon and Arelee areas; Crop District 7A - Rosetown, Kindersley, Eston, Major; CD 7B - Kerrobert, Macklin, Wilkie and Biggar areas)
Rainfall in the region ranged from small amounts to 35 mm in the Landis area. The Sonningdale area continues to lead the region in total rainfall, having received 287 mm of rain since April 1. Topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 5% surplus, 94% adequate and 1% short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 3% surplus, 90% adequate and 7% short.
Localized flooding, wind, insects and diseases such as root rots are causing the majority of damage this week. Spraying continues and many producers are now spraying fungicides in some fields. A storm went through the area bringing baseball-sized hail and high winds. There are reports of several tornadoes touching down and damaging fields and yards.
Farmers are busy haying, controlling pests and hauling grain.
Northeastern Saskatchewan (Crop District 8 - Hudson Bay, Tisdale, Melfort, Carrot River, Humboldt, Kinistino, Cudworth and Aberdeen areas; Crop District 9AE - Prince Albert, Choiceland and Paddockwood areas)
Much of the region received rainfall this past week that has delayed crop development and spraying operations for many producers.
The Birch Hills area received 25 mm of rain this past week while the Lake Lenore area has received 330 mm of rain since April 1. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are slowly improving and are now rated as 67% surplus and 33% adequate. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 84% surplus and 16% adequate. The recent rainfall over the past few weeks has flooded yards, roads and fields, many of which are not still accessible at this time.
Sources of crop damage this week include localized flooding, hail, wind, insects and diseases. Many producers are wrapping up in-crop herbicide spraying but will soon be applying fungicides. Overall, crops are behind normal development and will need some warm and dry weather to help them advance.
Farmers are busy controlling pests, hauling grain and haying.
Northwestern Saskatchewan (Crop District 9AW - Shellbrook, North Battleford, Big River and Hafford areas; Crop District 9B - Meadow Lake, Turtleford, Pierceland, Maidstone and Lloydminster areas)
Rainfall this week ranged from trace amounts to 35 mm in the Neilburg area. Since April 1, the Hafford area has received 344 mm of rain. Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are now rated as 6% surplus, 89% adequate and 5% short, while hay land and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 6% surplus, 92% adequate and 2% short. For some producers in the region, rainfall would be welcomed, while for others warm and dry weather is needed to help crops advance.
Localized flooding and diseases have caused the majority of crop damage this week. Many producers are finishing up herbicide applications and will soon be spraying fungicides. Overall, conditions are good and crop development is progressing.
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