June 26, 2009

Beneficial rainfall across most of Saskatchewan over the past week helped improve moisture levels and crop conditions in the province, according to the latest crop report from Saskatchewan Agriculture for the week ended June 22.

Average precipitation levels during the week across the province ranged from 16 millimetres in the Southwest to 53 millimetres in the Northwest, according to the report.

Provincial topsoil moisture conditions improved on the week, with 77 percent of the cropland now rated as adequate up from 52 percent the previous week. Moisture levels on cropland were 21 percent short to very short, which compares with 48 percent the previous week.

Crop conditions were improving, with 81 percent of the winter wheat rated fair to good. Spring wheat was rated 86 percent fair to good, while canola was rated at 80 percent fair to good. Peas were 89 percent fair to good.

On average, about 80 percent of spring cereals were said to be behind in their development, while 83 percent of the oilseeds were behind normal. About 71 percent of the pulse crops were behind their normal development, said the report.

Dry conditions, together with flea beetles, grasshoppers, gophers, and hail, were behind some crop damage during the week. Localized flooding also damaged some crops.