OUTLOOK - The region received localized rains throughout this past week. While some crops are behind their normal stage of development for this time of year, the crops in areas that received rain and warm weather have had good development. The region is still very dry and more rain is required to support crop, hay and pasture growth.
Most of the crops in the west-central region are rated as in fair to good condition. 86 per cent of fall cereals, 67 per cent of spring cereals, 64 per cent of oilseeds and 77 per cent of pulse crop are rated as being in their normal stages of development. Hot and dry conditions have resulted in pre-mature ripening for some crops in the region.
While much of the west-central region received rainfall this week, most of it was spotty and producers in most areas want more. The Sonningdale area received two mm of rain, the Conquest and Kerrobert areas nine mm, the Langham area 18 mm, the Netherhill area 35 mm and the Smiley area 53 mm.
While some areas received adequate amounts of rain, continued hot and dry conditions have decreased topsoil moisture conditions. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 56 per cent adequate, 33 per cent short and 10 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 46 per cent adequate, 46 per cent short and eight per cent very short. Crop district 7B is reporting that 61 per cent of cropland and 71 per cent of hay and pasture land are short and very short for topsoil moisture.
Delayed growth has slowed haying operations. Timely rains in part of the region have helped with hay and pasture growth but many producers have noted that growth is patchy and yields are below average. Some producers are hauling water for their livestock. Livestock producers now have 20 per cent of the hay crop cut and 13 per cent baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as nine per cent excellent, 50 per cent good and 41 per cent fair.
Most of the crop damage this past week were caused by drought and heat stress, along with localized hail. In areas that received rain, producers are busy spraying fungicides and are also continuing to control grasshoppers.
