While some areas of Saskatchewan received some rain this past week, southern and central parts of the province remain very dry, according to the latest weekly crop report.
Saskatchewan Agriculture says significant rainfall is needed in most regions of the province to help replenish the topsoil and fill out crops.
Hot temperatures, strong winds, hail, localized flooding and lack of rain have caused damage to crops. Some areas of the province received rain this past week, including the Barthel area, which saw 98 millimetres. Several storms moved through the province late last week, with damage ranging from minimal to severe.
Crops are ripening quickly, with the majority ranging from 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.
Meanwhile, livestock producers now have 74 per cent of the hay crop baled or put into silage. An additional 14 per cent is cut and ready for baling.
Due to the sustained stretch of dry weather, applications to Saskatchewan’s Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program will now be considered until Sept. 30, past the current Aug. 1 deadline. The program assists farmers and ranchers in developing sustainable water supplies for agricultural use.
