Crop Report July 14-July 20
For the Period July 14 to July 20, 2015
One year agoFourty-two per cent of the 2014 hay crop had been cut and 49 per cent had been baled or put into silage. Rain and high humidity delayed haying and decreased hay quality. |
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Haying continues in the province. Livestock producers now have 54 per cent of the hay crop baled or put into silage, with an additional 18 per cent cut and ready for baling, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report.
Rain showers have delayed haying in some areas. Hay quality is currently rated as two per cent excellent, 52 per cent good, 38 per cent fair and eight per cent poor. Hay yields on dry land are well below the five-year average (2010-2014). Average hay yields on dry land are estimated to be 0.8 ton per acre for alfalfa, 0.9 ton per acre for alfalfa/brome hay, 0.7 ton per acre for both other tame hay and wild hay and 1.3 tons per acre for greenfeed. On irrigated land, average hay yields are estimated to be 2.2 tons per acre for alfalfa and alfalfa/brome hay, 2.5 tons per acre for other tame hay, 1.9 tons per acre for wild hay and 3.1 tons per acre for greenfeed.
The Ministry of Agriculture has a Forage, Feed and Custom Service listing for producers to advertise and source feed products. It is available at: http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/FeedForageListing
Much of the province received rain last week that has helped alleviate moisture stress in some areas. Rainfall ranged from small amounts to several inches. Topsoil moisture conditions have slightly improved in many areas. Provincially, topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as two per cent surplus, 52 per cent adequate, 33 per cent short and 13 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 36 per cent adequate, 43 per cent short and 20 per cent very short.
Sixty-six per cent of the fall cereals, 68 per cent of the spring cereals, 64 per cent of the oilseeds and 63 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. Crops are ripening quickly, although the majority remain in poor-to-good condition. Lack of moisture and insects such as grasshoppers and aphids have caused the most crop damage this week.
Farmers are busy cutting hay, controlling pests and readying harvest equipment.
Estimated Provincial Hay Yields (tons/acre) – July 20, 2015 |
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Dry land |
Irrigated Land |
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Alfalfa |
0.8 |
2.2 |
Brome/Alfalfa |
0.9 |
2.2 |
Other Tame Hay |
0.7 |
2.5 |
Wild Hay |
0.7 |
1.9 |
Greenfeed |
1.3 |
3.1 |
East-Central Saskatchewan (Crop District 5 – Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville and Kelvington areas; Crop District 6A – Lumsden, Craik, Watrous and Clavet areas)
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Livestock producers now have 40 per cent of the hay crop baled or put into silage. An additional 23 per cent is cut and will soon ready for baling. Hay quality at this time is rated as three per cent excellent, 50 per cent good, 44 per cent fair and three per cent poor. Hay yields are significantly less than normal and feed shortage concerns continue.
The region received varying amounts of rain this past week, ranging from small amounts to 67 mm in the Saltcoats area. Since April 1, the Saltcoats area has received the greatest amount of rainfall for both the region and the province (229 mm).
Topsoil moisture conditions have slightly improved, although additional rain will be needed to help crops fill and pastures grow. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as nine per cent surplus, 71 per cent adequate, 15 per cent short and five per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent excellent, 67 per cent adequate, 24 per cent short and four per cent very short. Crop District 5B is reporting that 18 per cent of cropland acres and 11 per cent of hay and pasture land have surplus topsoil moisture at this time.
Crops are ripening quickly, although many later-seeded crops are just starting to flower. Some producers are spraying for diseases such as fusarium and insects such as aphids and wheat midge. Most crop damage this week was caused by lack of moisture, wind, hail and insects.
Farmers are busy cutting hay and controlling pests.
Estimated East-central Hay Yields (tons/acre) – July 20, 2015 |
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Dry land |
Irrigated Land |
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Alfalfa |
0.9 |
2.3 |
Brome/Alfalfa |
1.0 |
2.3 |
Other Tame Hay |
0.8 |
N/A |
Wild Hay |
0.8 |
N/A |
Greenfeed |
1.3 |
N/A |