CANORA - Growing conditions have improved slightly across the region with some areas getting much needed rain this week; however, rains were spotty across the region and did not result in large amounts of precipitation, but producers have noted a positive response from crops. Many fields in the region still have bare patches where the crop never germinated and there are reports that crops are at various stages even within fields. This will surely make harvest difficult.
Crops are advancing normally where there is moisture while crops in dry areas are becoming stunted. Regionally, 79 per cent of the fall cereals, 73 per cent of the spring cereals, 61 per cent of the oilseed crops and 81 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. Some wheat crops have been noted to have started to head out while only being six inches tall and canola has also been reported to have started to bolt and will be flowering soon. Crop conditions range from fair to good in the region, with 63 per cent of the spring wheat, 48 per of the canola and 60 per cent of the lentils being in good condition at this time.
Some much needed rain was received in the region and producers hope there is more to come. The Tugaske area received 46 mm, the Dinsmore area 39 mm, the Kerrobert and Outlook areas 31 mm, the Rosetown area 22 mm and the Plenty and Wilkie areas 16 mm.
After a few weeks of rain topsoil moisture conditions continue to improve in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 68 per cent adequate, 27 per cent short and four per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 52 per cent adequate, 43 per cent short and five per cent very short.
Haying operations have not begun in the region, but hay quality is rated as zero per cent excellent, 27 per cent good, 67 per cent fair and six per cent poor.
The majority of crop damage this week was from heat, wind and dry soil conditions. Grasshoppers are still causing damage in the region, but producers have been actively spraying to keep them under control. Farmers are busy getting prepared for haying season, scouting fields and assessing crop damage and some have begun fungicide applications.
