Depending on where you are in the province, a mixed bag in terms of weather has left farmers dealing with different struggles this season.
Shannon Friesen, a crop extension specialist, says many growers on the eastern side of the province are dealing with excess moisture, while the Southwest and Midwest are struggling with drought conditions.
“We have a good portion of the crop that has actually been turning yellow due to excess moisture and being in standing water.” Friesen says. “We also have some drought stress on the western side of the province due to, of course, lack of moisture.”
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Friesen says the recent rains have been helpful in moving crops, but he also hopes for some warmth so the process can speed up.
Saskatchewan’s agriculture ministry says many crops are behind their normal stages of development for this time of year, adding that warm weather would help crops advance and wet fields dry out.
Friesen says that for areas that need the opposite, it’s probably already too late.
“We have growers in those drier areas where some of the crops have advanced prematurely and dried up prematurely.” Friesen says. “So some of that rain isn’t actually going to benefit.”
Friesen says there are fields, however, where the rain will help not only the crops, but also the pastures.
Cropland topsoil moisture is classified as excess nine percent, adequate 71 percent, poor 18 percent, and very poor two percent. Hay and grassland topsoil moisture is classified as excess eight percent, adequate 66 percent, poor 22 percent, and very poor four percent.
The ministry says recent rains will improve hay crops, but estimated yields will remain below average.
In recent years, the province has mainly experienced drought conditions. Friesen says that farmers’ optimism is growing.
“We’ve had a lot thrown at us over the last couple of years, but for the most part this year, there’s a little bit more, I guess, optimism out there. As long as we can get things to grow, things should really pick up for us.” Friesen says.
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Saskatchewan farmers struggling with conditions that are too wet or too dry
Most of this week’s crop damage was due to localized flooding, high winds, extremely dry soil conditions, hail and leaf spot diseases. Farmers are also trying to combat damage from rising grasshopper populations, as well as gophers causing crop damage.
Currently, growers focus on applying fungicides and insecticides, checking for pests, repairing equipment, and planting hay.
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