This week's crop report from the Ministry of Agriculture shows crop development is quickly progressing across the Province. 

Crops Extension Specialist Shannon Friesen says widespread rain across the province ranged from small amounts to 67 millimetres in the Vanguard area to heavy downpours in the Redvers area where about 127 millimetres came down in a short period of time.

"Topsoil moisture conditions have improved this past week. Cropland topsoil moisture is currently rated as nine per cent surplus, 71 per cent adequate, 18 per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as eight per cent surplus, 66 per cent adequate, 22 per cent short and four per cent very short."

Unfortunately, the rain has come to late for many crops which are prematurely advancing in the southwest and west central areas.

She says many crops are behind their normal stage of development for this time of the year with wet areas looking for some sunshine to help dry fields up.

Provincially, 61 per cent of the fall cereals are now heading out, while 28 per cent of the spring cereals are now at the shot blade stage; an additional 12 per cent is heading out. Fifty per cent of the flax crop is at the stem elongation stage, 62 per cent of the pulses are at the vegetative stage and 38 per cent are flowering. Fifty-four per cent of the canola and mustard is in the rosette stage while 16 per cent is now flowering.

The rain and high humidity means poor drying conditions for hay crops.

Friesen says at this point eight per cent of the hay crop has been cut and three per cent baled or put into silage. 

"Hay quality is rated as 19 per cent excellent, 62 per cent good, 16 per cent fair and three per cent poor. The recent rain will improve hay crops, although estimated yields continue to be lower than average. Pasture conditions have also improved and are now rated as 17 per cent excellent, 48 per cent good, 20 per cent fair, 13 per cent poor and two per cent very poor."

Crop damage this past week was due to localized flooding, strong winds, extremely dry soil conditions, hail and leaf spot diseases. 

Friesen notes gophers continue to cause damage while grasshopper populations are continuing to increase in many areas.

The Full Crop Report is available here.