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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.

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

For the Period July 14 to July 20, 2015

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 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.

It is National Tequila Day!  Do you know how hard it is to find a joke about tequila I can actually put up on the website?

Coming home after Tequila Day:

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