Flooding Across Saskatchewan Causes Major Crop Damage

Flooding across Saskatchewan continues to cause major crop damage across the province, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Weekly Crop Report. The majority of the crops which are seeded are in fair to good condition, although behind normal in development. Leaf disease and insects are causing crop damage as well.

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 51% surplus, 48% adequate and 1% short. Topsoil moisture on hay land and pasture is rated as 30% surplus, 69% adequate and 1% short.

Fifty-six percent of the province’s fall-seeded cereals are at a normal stage of development, but 72% of the spring-seeded cereals, 75% of the oilseeds and 63% of the pulses are behind normal in development.

A week of sunny and windy weather has helped to dry some areas and improve crop conditions. Ninety-one percent and 86% of the winter wheat and fall rye are in good to excellent condition, respectively. Eighty-two percent of the spring wheat, 85% of the durum, 76% of the barley, 79% of the oats, 73% of the flax, 73% of the canola, 91% of the mustard, 85% of the lentils, 84% of the peas, 80% of the canaryseed and 98% of the chickpeas are in good to fair condition.

Haying is just getting underway in the southern areas of the province. Pasture conditions continue to improve and are rated as 56% excellent, 37% good, 6% fair and 1% poor. Ninety-nine percent of livestock producers reportedly have adequate water supplies for their livestock.