Crops Progress With Recent Rains And Heat

Although the Moose Jaw region saw a dry Spring timely rains have assisted with crop development.

A lentil field just north of Moose Jaw - MJ Independent photo

Saskatchewan Agriculture said in their most recent update some crops in the province, including Moose Jaw, are behind in their development but the recent rains and warmer temperatures is assisting crops to catch up to the point they normally would be by this time of year.

Crops behind in their development not only delay the harvest but additionally risk crops to damage from frosts later in the growing season.

To get a better understanding of what area crops look like MJ Independent spent the better part of a day out on the road looking at them.

A lentil field north of Moose Jaw with some flowering - MJ Independent photo

The lentil crops in the Moose Jaw region are in the flower stage although there is some podding out. (See photo above)

Durum is in the pollination or flower state. (See photo below) And as the crop is getting close to the filling stage rainfall came for most crops at the appropriate time.

A durum crop is in the flowering stage and about to fill the grain heads - MJ Independent photo

Stages of canola development are either in full flower with some podding out to mainly being podded out with a few flowers. (See photo below)

Canola still has a few flowers but is podding out and filling - MJ Independent photo

Area canola crops show no apparent sign of disease or insect infestation.

Canola is still flowering but there are already pods in this field - MJ Independent photo

Field peas have for the most part podded out although there is still some flowering in crops (See photo below)

Field peas are posting while still having some nlossoms

Despite the dry Spring the stand on most pea fields can be rated at good to above average.

Although not the top crop locally field peas are still an important crop - MJ Independent photo

Area hay producers have reported hay stands ranging from below average to above average.

Producers state the rains came, in many instances, too late for this year’s hay crop. Farmers are working between the rain storms to get their hay baled.

The rains, where they have fallen, have however improved pasture conditions. Pasture conditions for many farmers and ranchers was poorer this year due to a lack of snowfall and rain during the Spring.

Saskatchewan Agriculture rated the top soil conditions 84 percent of average provincially before rain fell on Thursday evening.

The total amount of rain on Thursday evening varied.

Although officially Environment Canada listed Thursday's rainfall total at 19 mm or 3/4 of an inch rain gauges within the city showed variations from an inch on South Hill, 1 1/2 inches on North Hill and in Sunningdale at 2 inches to 2 2/10 inches depending on rain gauge location.

The same variable Thursday evening rain fall was evident in the Moose Jaw region.