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Recent heat wave, lack of rain impacting crops across the province

Information from the latest crop report, for the period of June 29 to July 5
canola field askatchewan getty images
(Getty Images)

Crops are rapidly advancing across the province, but the hot and dry conditions are also causing damage. 

Twenty-seven per cent of fall cereals are in the dough maturity stage while 40 per cent of spring cereals are in the heading stage. Sixty per cent of canola and mustard are flowering and 38 per cent of pulse crops are in the podding stage.

A lack of rain and scorching hot temperatures has caused significant damage to crops. It is expected that yield potential and crop quality will be impacted in several areas of the province. Significant rainfall is needed to allow crops to properly fill and avoid irreparable crop damage.

Topsoil moisture levels across the province have continued to deteriorate due to the extended period of hot, dry, and windy weather. Cropland topsoil moisture is currently rated as zero per cent surplus, 18 per cent adequate, 51 per cent short, and 31 per cent very short.

Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as zero per cent surplus, 13 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short, and 43 per cent very short.

Twenty-two per cent of hay crop is cut. Fourteen per cent has been baled or put into silage. Hay quality is currently rated as six per cent excellent, 50 per cent good, 32 per cent fair, and 12 per cent poor. 

Estimated yields are considerably lower than anticipated.

Pasture conditions continue to decline. They are now rated as one per cent excellent, 11 per cent good, 32 per cent fair, 38 per cent poor, and 18 per cent very poor.

A complete version of the Crop Report is available online.

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