Lack Of Early Summer Rain Hurts Hay - Moisture Came At Right Time For Grains

The lack of runoff and early Summer rains have had negative effects on large portions of the provincial hay crop.

The recent wet weather has helped improve pasture conditions although the rain fall was variable regionally as well as provincially.

The recent hot and dry weather has helped farmers and ranchers get more hay cut and baled or silage over the past week.

At present 26 percent of the hay crop is cut with 49 percent baled or silaged.

Hay producers told MJ Independent in the Moose Jaw region rains came late for hay but were timely for grain crops.

Average durum head size - MJ Independent photo

In many of the local crops visited by MJ Independent the heads or pods are developed but still need to fill. More rain is likely necessary for an average or above average crop with heads and pods needing rain to fill out to their maximum potential.

The soil still has moisture close to surface but it is also drying out - MJ Independent photo

The weekly farm report from Saskatchewan Agriculture lists grain crop land moisture-wise at one percent surplus, 71 percent adequate, 22 percent short and five percent very short.

Most crops are listed in fair to excellent condition.

Moisture-wise hay and pasture land is slightly drier that crop land.

Hay and pasture land moisture-wise is at one percent surplus, 63 percent adequate, 25 percent short and 11 percent very short.