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Author: Nicole Czemeres

Crop Report July 28-August 3

For the Period July 28 to August 3, 2015
One year ago
Desiccation of peas and lentils in some southwestern and west-central areas was just beginning. Rain showers and high humidity was delaying haying progress.
Follow the 2015 Crop Report on Twitter @SKAgriculture
Harvest has begun in some parts of the province, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report.

Less than one per cent of the provincial crop has been combined, while one per cent is ready to straight-cut. Twenty-three per cent of the fall rye, 10 per cent of the winter wheat, five per cent of the field peas and two per cent of the lentils are now in the bin. Two per cent of the canola is now swathed.

The province received a lot of rain last week, which has lodged many crops and flooded some fields and yards. Topsoil moisture conditions have improved in many areas, thanks to rainfall that ranged from small amounts to well over six inches. Provincially, topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as four per cent surplus, 69 per cent adequate, 24 per cent short and three per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 58 per cent adequate, 33 per cent short and seven per cent very short.

Livestock producers now have 80 per cent of the hay crop baled or put into silage, while an additional 12 per cent is cut and will soon be ready for baling. Hay quality is rated as three per cent excellent, 53 per cent good, 36 per cent fair and eight per cent poor.

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

Pasture conditions are rated as one per cent excellent, 32 per cent good, 38 per cent fair, 23 per cent poor and six per cent very poor.

The majority of crop damage this week was caused by strong winds, heavy rain, insects such as aphids and lack of moisture.

Farmers are busy beginning harvest.

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)

Some winter cereal crops are being swathed in the region, while others will be ready for straight-cutting shortly. Most producer will likely begin swathing canola in the coming weeks.

The region received large amounts of rain that has lodged crops and caused localized flooding in many areas. The Meacham area received 134 mm of rain this past week, bringing its total received since April 1 to 285 mm. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 11 per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate and five per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as eight per cent surplus, 79 per cent adequate, 12 per cent short and one per cent very short.

Livestock producers now have 71 per cent of the hay crop baled or put into silage. An additional 17 per cent is cut and soon to be ready for baling. Hay quality is rated as three per cent excellent, 52 per cent good, 36 per cent fair and nine per cent poor. Pasture conditions are rated as three per cent excellent, 40 per cent good, 43 per cent fair and 14 per cent poor.

Crop development is advancing quickly and harvest will begin soon. Most crop damage this week was caused by localized flooding, wind, hail and insects such as aphids and diamondback moths.

Farmers are busy haying and getting ready for harvest.

 

Crop Report for July 21-27

For the Period July 21 to July 27, 2015
One year ago
Fifty-seven per cent of the 2014 hay crop had been baled or put into silage while 22 per cent was cut and soon ready for baling. Rain and high humidity continued to delay haying and decrease hay quality.
Follow the 2015 Crop Report on Twitter @SKAgriculture

Haying continues to advance in the province as livestock producers now have 67 per cent of the hay crop baled or put into silage. An additional 14 per cent is cut and ready for baling, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report. Hay quality is currently rated as two per cent excellent, 46 per cent good, 44 per cent fair and eight per cent poor.

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

Topsoil moisture conditions have greatly improved in much of the province, thanks to heavy rains early in the week. Rainfall ranged from small amounts to well over four inches in some areas. Provincially, topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as seven per cent surplus, 62 per cent adequate, 25 per cent short and six per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 50 per cent adequate, 36 per cent short and 10 per cent very short.

Crops are ripening quickly, and the majority remains in poor-to-good condition. Harvest is just beginning in some parts of the province, with pulses being desiccated and some winter cereal and pulse crops being combined. Wind, hail, localized flooding and lack of rain have caused some crop damage this week.

Farmers are busy haying and getting ready for harvest.

SK (provincial) Crop Conditions – July 27, 2015
Winter wheat
Fall rye
Spring wheat
Durum
Oat
Barley
Canaryseed
% excellent
1
0
8
2
10
6
2
% good
51
29
52
33
63
56
47
% fair
40
48
31
46
23
30
39
% poor
7
23
8
17
4
7
11
% very poor
1
0
1
2
0
1
1
Flax
Canola
Mustard
Soybean
Pea
Lentil
Chickpea
% excellent
5
9
0
15
4
4
2
% good
42
47
30
46
38
42
41
% fair
41
32
39
29
45
41
40
% poor
11
11
31
9
11
10
9
% very poor
1
1
0
1
2
3
8

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)

Livestock producers now have 55 per cent of the hay crop baled or put into silage. An additional 18 per cent is cut and will soon be ready for baling. Hay quality at this time is rated as three per cent excellent, 47 per cent good, 47 per cent fair and three per cent poor.

Large amounts of rain fell in much of the region, with the Earl Grey area reporting 90 mm of rain in one day. The Saltcoats area has reported 262 mm of rainfall since April 1, the greatest amount for the region. Topsoil moisture has improved thanks to the recent rain. Conditions on cropland are rated as 23 per cent surplus, 65 per cent adequate and 12 per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 17 per cent surplus, 68 per cent adequate and 15 per cent short.

Crops are developing quickly, thanks to the recent rains. Some producers are spraying for aphids. Most crop damage this week was caused hail, wind and lack of moisture.

Farmers are busy haying and getting ready for harvest.

East-central
Winter wheat
Fall rye
Spring wheat
Durum
Oat
Barley
Canaryseed
% excellent
3
4
10
11
8
7
7
% good
75
60
67
79
70
72
72
% fair
17
19
20
10
20
19
21
% poor
5
14
3
0
2
2
0
% very poor
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
Flax
Canola
Mustard
Soybean
Pea
Lentil
Chickpea
% excellent
12
8
0
2
14
6
50
% good
68
63
73
62
71
81
50
% fair
19
23
26
30
13
13
0
% poor
1
6
1
6
2
0
0
% very poor
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

 

We Support 4-H in Saskatchewan

The RM of Cupar supports the Saskatchewan 4-H Council annually.  Here is why!

Saskatchewan provides members and leaders with learning experiences tailored to the needs and interests of each individual. All members develop leadership skills primarily through the completion of projects. The program is based on engaging youth using the components of the four Hs:

  • Head: Focus on thinking, decision making, understanding and gaining knowledge. Members are required to analyze facts, discuss alternatives and make decisions.
  • Heart: Show concern and compassion for the welfare of others and accept the responsibilities of citizenship and developing attitudes and values. 4-H promotes loyalty to friends, ideas and a program that has stood the test of time.
  • Hands: Learn new skills and develop pride and respect for work completed. 4-H often provides members with their first real experience using their own initiative to complete projects and to work with the club and community.
  • Health: Develop and practice healthy living physically, mentally and socially. As personal and group goals are set and met, confidence grows, and new situations are met with ease.

The 4-H program strives to encourage individual growth in young people by developing self-confidence, the ability to make wise decisions and a responsible attitude toward community service. Through it all, they also have a lot of fun.

 

Tax Relief for Livestock Producers

Harper Government Announces Tax Relief for Western Livestock Producers
July 23, 2015 – Ottawa, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz today released a list of designated regions in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba where tax deferrals have been authorized for 2015.
The designation allows livestock producers in prescribed drought regions who are facing feed shortages to defer a portion of their 2015 sale proceeds of breeding livestock for one year in order to help replenish that stock in the following year. Proceeds from deferred sales are then included as part of the producer’s income in the next tax year, when those proceeds may be at least partially offset by the cost of replacing their breeding animals.
To defer income, the breeding herd must have been reduced by at least 15%. If this is the case, 30% of income from net sales can then be deferred. In cases where the herd declines by 30 per cent or more, 90% of income from net sales can be deferred. Eligible producers can request the tax deferral when filing their 2015 income tax returns.
List of All Designated Areas Eligible for 2015
Quick facts
  • AgriInsurance is the first line of response for producers dealing with weather related damages to their crops, while AgriInvest and AgriStability can help with income losses.
  • From April 1 to July 21, 60% of the Prairie agricultural landscape has received ‘Very Low’ to ‘Record Low’ precipitation. This area represents 27,000 farms and more than 5.8 million cattle.
  • In addition to the tax deferral, producers are encouraged to take full advantage of assistance available under the suite of Business Risk Management programs.
  • Producers facing cash-flow challenges are encouraged to apply to the federal Advance Payments Program to access low interest guaranteed loans of up to $400,000 to help them manage their financial obligations. The interest on the first $100,000 is paid by the Federal Government.  This may be of particular interest to livestock producers looking for cash to purchase feedstocks. APP administrators will work with producers to find the best option to suit the unique needs of each farm operation.
  • This list represents the current designation of affected areas. Subsequent regions may be added to the list as required, in consultation with the provinces.

Contacts:  Jeff English Director of Communication Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz 613-773-1059

Media Relations Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Ottawa, Ontario 613-773-7972 1-866-345-7972 Follow us on Twitter: @AAFC_Canada