Agrimart: Summer 2022 looks favourable for farmers

The Weather Network's official summer 2022 forecast provides insight into what producers can expect this year. 

There is a probability that most of Canada will experience an above-normal summer for the rest of the season. Nevertheless, Western Canada shouldn't encounter unprecedented heat this summer like last year. According to the report, Saskatchewan will experience heat waves, but cooler weather should offset the effects of the warm weather in most regions. However, the southwest corner of the province near Swift Current is expected to remain hotter than average. The weather network's team of meteorologists expressed that "overall we are cautiously optimistic that the heart of summer will be favourable for agriculture".

According to the weather network, this summer will bring less extreme weather. Although parts of the country will still experience drought and wildfires, the severity and distribution of them should be less than in the past. 

Precipitation is expected to be above average across western Canada, especially in Manitoba and parts of central and northern Saskatchewan. 

According to last week's Saskatchewan crop report, the southeast and east-central regions of the province have experienced good growing conditions due to the timely rain. As the western regions received rain, crop development progressed and pasture growth was well supported.

According to Saskatchewan's Ministry of Agriculture, in the last week's cropland moisture report, nine percent was surplus, 75 percent was adequate, 15 percent was short, and one percent was very short. There is a six percent surplus of moisture in hay and pasture land, 68 percent adequate, 21 percent short, and five percent very short conditions. These moisture conditions are sitting well above the 2021 conditions at this time last year.