Sixty-eight per cent of the 2009 hay crop has been baled or put into silage, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report. Nineteen per cent of the hay crop has been cut but not baled, and 13 per cent of the crop remains standing.
Swathing and combining of fall rye, winter wheat, peas and lentils has just nicely started in some areas of the province. Sixteen per cent of the fall rye has been swathed.
Topsoil moisture conditions have improved somewhat over the past week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 62 per cent adequate, 31 per cent short and five per cent very short, while hay and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 50 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and nine per cent very short.
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Alberta Crop Report: Rains in the south, dryness in the north
Rain fell onto the southern half of Alberta last week, while hot and dry conditions persisted in the northern half, according to the province’s crop report released on July 18.
Five per cent of the hay crop is rated as excellent in quality, 51 per cent is rated as good quality, 26 per cent is rated as fair and four per cent poor. Most reporters have indicated a second cut of hay is unlikely.
Dry conditions and insects – primarily grasshoppers, wheat midge and pea aphids – are causing the majority of crop damage. Hail and wind caused some crop damage in the northwest region. Wind damage was reported in the southwest region.
Farmers are busy haying, hauling grain, scouting fields, controlling insects and getting ready for harvest. Some heat and rain would be appreciated to help mature the crops, as well as a long open fall to get quality crops in the bin.
See the full report, including regional breakouts, here.
