ASSINIBOIA - Flowering canola is a more common sight than not in the southwest, according to the crop report for the period of June 28 to July 3. Producers hope for rain and moisture as crops and pastures are beginning to show signs of heat stress.
Minimal rain was received in the region this past week. The most was recorded in Rockglen, where producers reported receiving 10 mm. Topsoil moisture levels are beginning to diminish in both cropland as well as hay and pasture land. In cropland, 15 per cent of topsoil has adequate moisture, 48 per cent is short and 37 per cent is very short. In hay and pastures, 11 per cent is adequate, 44 per cent is short, and 45 per cent is very short.
Crops are advanced in the southwest. Fall cereals are 70 per cent headed, 25 per cent in the dough stage and five per cent are ripe. Spring cereals are mainly in the shot blade stage at 44 per cent and 32 per cent at the heading out stage. Flax is mainly in the stem extension stage (60 per cent), while 16 per cent is flowering. Seventy per cent of canola is flowering while 10 per cent is beginning to form pods. Pulses are diverse in their staging, with 34 per cent vegetative and 28 per cent podding.
The first cut of hay is over halfway complete in the southwest. Twenty-five per cent is cut, 34 per cent is baled or silaged, the remaining 40 per cent is still standing. Pastures are in poor condition in the southwest at 38 per cent, ranging from being in fair to very poor condition.
Heat and dry conditions, gophers and grasshoppers continue to be the primary causes of crop damage in the southwest. Producers are busy haying their crops and watching the horizons for possible rain to help with crop and pasture conditions.
