Producers have cut 43 per cent of the hay crop and 21 per cent has been baled or put into silage, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report.
The quality of the hay crop is rated as 21 per cent excellent and 53 per cent good. Haying has progressed furthest in the south, where 62 per cent of the crop has been cut and 39 per cent baled or put into silage. Rain showers, heavy swaths and heavy dew in the mornings and evenings are slowing haying operations.
The expected average dry land hay yield is 1.9 tons per acre for both alfalfa and alfalfa/brome stands. This compares to a five-year average of 1.4 tons per acre.
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Crops in Saskatchewan are developing in opposite directions, the province’s latest crop report said. Growing conditions in the province vary, with some areas receiving enough rain while other locations are experiencing crop stress due to hot, dry conditions.
Some warmer weather has helped advance crops; however, most are still one to two weeks behind normal in development. Eighty-three per cent of the winter wheat, 84 per cent of the fall rye, 90 per cent of the triticale and 79 per cent of the peas are in good to excellent condition.
Seventy-eight per cent of the spring wheat, 82 per cent of the durum, 78 per cent of the oats, 79 per cent of the barley, 81 per cent of the flax, 71 per cent of the canola, 80 per cent of the mustard, 81 per cent of the lentils, 82 per cent of the canaryseed and 90 per cent of the chickpeas are in fair to good condition.
The majority of crop damage is being caused by flooding, insects, hail and wind. Leaf diseases, root rot and gophers are also causing damage. Grasshoppers are causing crop damage in areas in the south. Farmers in some areas of the north are taking measures to control wheat midge.
Farmers are busy haying, scouting fields and controlling crop diseases and insects.
Click here for the full report by area.
