ASSINIBOIA - Some producers in the region have begun to harvest crops, mainly winter cereals and pulse crops such as lentils and field peas. Rain will not be enough for the crops in the region. However, it would help pastures and hay land recover in hopes they would be able to sustain some fall grazing. Some cereal crops in the region are too poor to be harvested so they will likely be cut for feed as the hay yields in many parts of the region were very poor.
The southwest region did not receive widespread significant rainfall this week, but producers will take all they can. The Moose Jaw area received 30 mm, the Rockglen area 18 mm, the Gouldtown area 14 mm and the Swift Current area nine mm. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 34 per cent adequate, 46 per cent short and 20 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 32 per cent adequate, 28 per cent short and 40 per cent very short.
Pasture conditions are rated as one per cent excellent, 19 per cent good, 29 per cent fair, 35 per cent poor and 17 per cent very poor. Producers in the region hope for more rain to help support pasture growth and recharge water sources for cattle. Some have noted concern for winter feed shortages due to reduced hay yields.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to drought, heat, wind and hail. A large hailstorm passed through the region destroying several fields and leaving many more severely damaged. Grasshoppers also continue to wreak havoc on crops in the region, some have lost a considerable amount of their fields to insect pests.
