June 19, 2009

The majority of the grain and oilseed crops in the province of Saskatchewan were in good to fair condition, but remain behind normal in terms of development, according to a crop update from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture for the week ended Monday (June 15).

An estimated 43 percent of the winter wheat crop was in good condition while 36 percent was in fair condition. Spring wheat was in 43 percent good condition and 40 percent fair shape. Canola was reported as 32 percent good, 42 percent fair and 20 percent poor. Of the peas, 49 percent of the crop was in good shape while 35 percent was in fair condition, the report said.

On average, 67 percent of fall seeded crops were behind normal in development, the report said. An estimated 80 percent of spring cereals and 87 percent of the oilseeds were behind normal growth. Roughly 76 percent of the pulse crops were behind normal in development.

Sask Ag said some moisture was received in all areas of the province during the week. However, provincial topsoil moisture conditions have declined since the previous report.

Crop land topsoil moisture was reported as 52 percent adequate, 35 percent short and 13 percent very short, the government said. Hay land and pasture moisture conditions were seen as 43 percent adequate, 38 percent short, and 19 percent very short.

The west-central and northwestern districts of the province have received only trace amounts of precipitation in some areas and are severely dry, the report said. Hay and pasture growth is slow and stands are short in some areas of the province.

Frost damaged crops in some areas during the week. Dry conditions, hail, gophers and flea beetles were the other sources of crop damage, the report said.

Cutworms and grasshoppers were also showing up in some fields.