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Author: Nicole Czemeres

Crop Report July 14-July 20

For the Period July 14 to July 20, 2015

One year ago

Fourty-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.

Follow the 2015 Crop Report on Twitter @SKAgriculture

SK Crop Development – July 20

% Ahead

% Normal

% Behind

Fall Cereals

29

66

5

Spring Cereals

16

68

16

Oilseeds

13

64

23

Pulse Crops

24

63

13

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

Dry land

Irrigated Land

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)

EC SK Crop Development – July 20
% Ahead
% Normal
% Behind
Fall Cereals
20
76
4
Spring Cereals
13
72
15
Oilseeds
10
67
23
Pulse Crops
11
81
8

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
Dry land
Irrigated Land
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

We Support the Royal Canadian Legion

The Municipality provides annual support to the Royal Canadian Legion.  The Royal Canadian Legion is Canada’s largest Veteran support and community service organization. Our more than 300,000 members in over 1400 Branches across Canada make a difference in the lives of Veterans and their families, provide essential services within our communities, and Remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our Country.

Below is the eleven fallen Canadian soldiers from Saskatchewan from the past ten years.

Master Corporal Jeffrey Scott Walsh


Age: 33
Home Town: Regina, Saskatchewan
Unit: 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Shilo, Manitoba
Deceased: August 9, 2006
Incident: Shooting accident, Kandahar, Afganistan

Corporal David Braun


Age: 27
Home Town: Raymore, Saskatchewan
Unit: 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Shilo, Manitoba
Deceased: August 22, 2006
Incident: Suicide bomber attack, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Corporal Shane Keating


Age: 30
Home Town: Dalmeny, Saskatchewan
Unit: 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Shilo, Manitoba
Deceased: September 18, 2006
Incident: Suicide bomber attack, Kandahar, Afganistan

Corporal Bryce Jeffrey Keller


Age: 27
Home Town: Regina, Saskatchewan
Unit: 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, Alberta
Deceased: August 3, 2006
Incident: Ground offensive, near village of Pashmul, Afghanistan

Corporal Cole D. Bartsch

Age: 23
Home Town: Saskatchewan
Unit: 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, Alberta
Deceased: July 4, 2007
Incident: Improvised Explosive Device, Afghanistan

Sergeant Prescott Shipway

Age: 36
Home Town: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Unit: 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group
Deceased: September 7, 2008
Incident: Improvised explosive device, Panjwayi District, Afghanistan

Corporal Dustin Roy Robert Joseph Wasden

Age: 25
Home Town: Spiritwood, Saskatchewan
Unit: 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1 CER)
Deceased: August 20, 2008
Incident: Improvised explosive device, Zharey district, Afghanistan

Master Corporal Joshua Brian Roberts

Age: 29
Home Town: Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Unit: 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Shilo, Manitoba
Deceased: August 9, 2008
Incident: Insurgent attack, Zharey District, Afghanistan

Corporal Brendan Anthony Downey

Age: 37
Home Town: Dundurn, Saskatchewan
Unit: Military Police Detachment in Dundurn, Saskatchewan
Deceased: July 4, 2008
Incident: Non combat related, Persian Gulf, Western Asia

Lieutenant Justin Boyes

Age: 26
Home Town: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Unit: 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry
Deceased: 28 October 2009
Incident: Improvised explosive device, south-est of Kandahar City, Afghanistan

Master Corporal Byron Garth Greff

Age: 26
Home Town: Swift Current, Saskatchewan
Unit: 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry
Deceased: October 29, 2011
Incident: Improvised explosive device, Kabul, Afghanistan

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=h3IutxvltBM

Farmland Ownership Consultation

The Government of Saskatchewan is reviewing farmland ownership and would like input.  Follow the links to take the survey and let your voice be heard!

http://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/have-your-say/farmland-ownership-consultation

Crop Report for July 7-13

For the Period July 7 to July 13, 2015
One year ago
Twenty-five per cent of the 2014 hay crop had been cut and 15 per cent had been baled or put into silage. Warm weather was helping crops recover from flooding stress.
Follow the 2015 Crop Report on Twitter @SKAgriculture
SK Crop Development – July 13
% Ahead
% Normal
% Behind
Fall Cereals
34
59
7
Spring Cereals
17
62
21
Oilseeds
13
60
27
Pulse Crops
22
58
20
Livestock producers now have 32 per cent of the hay crop cut and 38 per cent baled or put into silage, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report.

Hay quality is rated as four per cent excellent, 48 per cent good, 34 per cent fair and 14 per cent poor. Concerns about a potential hay shortage continue, as many hay swaths are significantly smaller than normal and pasture growth has been limited.

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

Rainfall over the weekend has helped alleviate moisture stress issues in some areas; however, more rain will be needed to help crops fill. Some areas received only small amounts of rainfall while others reported several inches. Topsoil moisture conditions have slightly improved in much of the province. Provincially, topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as one per cent surplus, 44 per cent adequate, 36 per cent short and 19 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 33 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and 28 per cent very short.

Fifty-nine per cent of fall cereals, 62 per cent of spring cereals, 60 per cent of oilseeds and 58 per cent of pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. Crop conditions vary throughout the province, but the majority of crops are in poor-to-good condition. Lack of moisture and insects such as grasshoppers and wheat midge have caused the most crop damage this week.
Farmers are busy controlling pests and cutting hay.
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)
EC SK Crop Development – July 13
% Ahead
% Normal
% Behind
Fall Cereals
18
75
7
Spring Cereals
11
75
14
Oilseeds
9
65
26
Pulse Crops
7
85
8
Livestock producers now have 33 per cent of the hay crop cut and 24 per cent baled or put into silage. Feed shortages remain a concern in the region as hay yields are expected to be well below average. Hay quality at this time is rated as three per cent excellent, 47 per cent good, 41 per cent fair and nine per cent poor.

Varying amounts of rainfall fell in the region, helping to alleviate moisture stress in some areas. The Esterhazy area reported 61 mm of rainfall this past week while the Craik area has received 181 mm of rain since April 1. This is the greatest amount for both the region and the province.

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 five per cent surplus, 66 per cent adequate, 26 per cent short and three per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent excellent, 56 per cent adequate, 38 per cent short and four per cent very short.
The majority of crops are in poor-to-good condition and crop development varies throughout the region. Some producers are spraying their healthier-looking crops for diseases and insects . Most crop damage this week was caused by lack of moisture, wind, hail and localized flooding.
Farmers are busy controlling pests and cutting hay.
East-central
Winter wheat
Fall rye
Spring wheat
Durum
Oat
Barley
Canaryseed
% excellent
4
0
4
3
5
5
0
% good
71
59
63
81
57
59
84
% fair
24
29
29
16
29
29
16
% poor
1
12
4
0
8
6
0
% very poor
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
Flax
Canola
Mustard
Soybean
Pea
Lentil
Chickpea
% excellent
5
3
0
6
8
3
75
% good
63
54
74
49
64
85
25
% fair
29
32
24
43
24
11
0
% poor
3
10
2
2
4
1
0
% very poor
0
1
0
0
0
0
0

Earl Grey Pasture Tour

Join us on a one day, producer focused, in-the-field, pasture tour.
August 6, 2015 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Location:

Earl Grey Area

Earl Grey, SK
Organizer:
Saskatchewan Forage Council
Email:
Phone:
306-969-2666

Saskatchewan Pasture Tour

Come and learn from producers who use an innovative approach to managing forage in their operations. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from forage producers, researchers and extension staff.

Land being Made available to Cattle Producers

Today Environment Minister Herb Cox and Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart announced that approximately 90,000 acres of Fish and Wildlife Development Fund (FWDF) land will be made available to cattle producers facing dry conditions.

“We recognize the challenges that dry conditions have created for some cattle producers and are pleased to make this land available for grazing,” Cox said.  “It will offer significant acres for cattle producers, and revenue generated as a result of this initiative will help fund future conservation initiatives.”

“We appreciate the Ministry of Environment making these lands available,” Stewart said.  “The extremely dry conditions of this spring and summer have left many cattle producers searching for additional pasture.  This grassland will help producers who are facing a shortage of feed for their cattle.”

The Fish and Wildlife Development Fund land, located throughout the province, are for the most part native prairie or other grasslands and are typically used for conservation purposes.  The land, which was purchased through the Fish and Wildlife Development Fund, was also made available to producers in 2009.  While some of the available land has water sources and is fenced, much of the land will require temporary fencing or water.  Producers who are awarded access to FWDF lands are responsible for the cost and construction of any necessary improvements.

The same grazing lease fees that apply to agricultural Crown land will apply to the FWDF land.  The land will be made available on a first come, first served basis.  A list of available lands by rural municipality will be available on the Ministry of Environment’s website and at local offices.  Producers who are interested in securing the land should contact their local Ministry of Environment office as to availability, stocking rates and any unique conditions that may apply. For more information, producers can contact their local Ministry of Environment office, visit www.environment.gov.sk.ca or call 1-800-567-4224.

For more information, contact: Michele McEachern Environment Regina Phone: 306-787-0412 Email: [email protected] Sarah Hein Agriculture Regina Phone: 306-787-5389 Email: [email protected] Cell: 306-527-9102

Crop Report June 30- July 6

For the Period June 30 to July 6, 2015

One year ago

Despite flooding in many eastern areas of the province, conditions were slowly improving thanks to warm weather. Six per cent of the 2014 hay crop had been cut and one per cent had been baled or put into silage.

Follow the 2015 Crop Report on Twitter @SKAgriculture

Haying continues in much of the province despite limited plant growth due to the shortfall in precipitation. Livestock producers now have 24 per cent of the hay crop cut and 15 per cent baled or put into silage, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report.

Hay quality is currently rated as four per cent excellent, 43 per cent good, 34 per cent fair and 19 per cent poor. Many hay swaths are significantly smaller than normal and producers are concerned that hay will be in short supply this year as pasture conditions continue to deteriorate from the lack of rainfall.

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

Rainfall this past week ranged from trace amounts to nearly two inches in west-central areas. However, precipitation was spotty and most areas received either no rain or just light showers averaging a third of an inch. As a result, topsoil remains dry. Provincially, topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 33 per cent adequate, 45 per cent short and 22 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 23 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and 36 per cent very short.

Crops are developing well in most of the province, although many crops in drier areas are short, thin and heading out and/or flowering earlier than normal. Sixty-seven per cent of the fall cereals and 39 per cent spring cereals are in the heading stage, with an additional 31 per cent of the fall cereals in the dough stage. Forty-five per cent of flax, 55 per cent of canola and mustard, and 82 per cent of pulse crops are in the flower to boll/pod stage.

Crop conditions vary throughout the province with the majority of crops in poor to good condition. Grasshoppers and lack of moisture remain significant causes of reported crop damage.

Farmers are busy controlling pests and cutting hay.

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)

Haying continues in the region and 16 per cent has now been cut and six per cent has been baled or put into silage. Feed shortages remain a concern for some producers in the region as hay yields are expected to be well-below average. Hay quality is rated as two per cent excellent, 45 per cent good, 39 per cent fair and 14 per cent poor. Pasture conditions are rated as two per cent excellent, 24 per cent good, 42 per cent fair, 24 per cent poor and eight per cent very poor.

Rainfall ranged from trace amounts to 45 mm (the Bethune area). The Stalwart area received 12.5 mm last week, bringing its total rainfall since April 1 to 126.3 mm, the greatest amount for the region.

Little improvement was observed in topsoil moisture conditions from the little rain that fell last week. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as one per cent surplus, 42 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and 10 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 35 per cent adequate, 51 per cent short and 14 per cent very short. Crop District 5B is reporting that 21 per cent of cropland acres and 22 per cent of hay land and pasture acres are very short topsoil moisture at this time.

Crop development varies through the region but the majority of crops are in poor to good condition. Despite the lack of sufficient precipitation, the majority of the crops in the region look better than expected.  This has been attributed to good subsoil moisture that earlier-seeded crops were able to access. The majority of crop damage this week was caused by lack of moisture and insects (mainly flea beetles, aphids and grasshoppers).

Farmers are busy controlling pests, cutting hay where they can and hoping for rain.

Friday Funny

This is funny because this spoof is from ten years ago.  This past week Dukes of Hazzard rerun was pulled from several stations for not being politically correct.