Saskatchewan Staring At Crop Disaster

REGINA - Jul 8/21 - SNS -- Parts of Saskatchewan's pulse crops are ripening unusually fast because of hot weather conditions, judging from the latest weekly crop reports from Saskatchewan Agriculture.

Across the province 2% of the crop is rated as being ripe, with 38% podding, 28% flowering and the remaining 32% still in the vegetative stage.

For other crops, 27% of fall cereals are in the dough maturity stage; 40% of spring cereals are in the heading stage; while 60% of canola and mustard are flowering.

"The continued lack of moisture combined with hot temperatures last week caused significant damage to many crops. Yield potential and crop quality will be impacted in many regions," the provincial agriculture department said.

"Crops are stunted, thin, yellowing in color and are prematurely drying down in many areas of the province due to the heat stress and lack of moisture. Significant rainfall is needed soon to allow crops to properly fill and avoid irreparable crop damage."

Cropland topsoil moisture is currently rated as 18% adequate, 51% short and 31% very short.

       Saskatchewan Pulse Crop Development Stage
                       (per cent)
             Vegetative  Flowering    Podding       Ripe
Southeast            32         28         38          2
Southwest            32         27         38          3
East Central         24         52         24          0
West Central         38         23         36          3
Northeast            22         31         44          3
Northwest            39          6         53          2
All                  32         28         38          2
SOURCE: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food