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By Jaryn Vecchio

Crop Conditions

P.A. area farmers in much better shape compared to those in the south

Jul 26, 2023 | 11:57 AM

Many farmers around Prince Albert are counting their lucky stars as they’ve been able to keep most of their crops despite non-consistent weather.

The same can’t be said for some areas especially in the southern part of Saskatchewan as fields have started to dry up over a lack of precipitation.

These drought conditions have forced some rural municipalities (RMs) to declare an agricultural emergency while the belief from Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Agriculture is that more will do so in the near future if things don’t improve.

“Agriculture Minister David Marit has requested the federal government promptly conduct an AgriRecovery assessment to determine what assistance could be provided to livestock producers, recognizing that all relief options need to be considered to help deal with the current challenges,” read a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture.

For Bob Reid, who farms in the Smeaton area between P.A. and Nipawin, he’s been able to keep most of his crops despite only a couple of rain showers. He’s not at 100 per cent as he has had some issues with two fields of mustard, however, that’s been the only real issue.

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“There are a few grasshoppers and we sprayed for some, but other than that I can’t complain,” he said. “If we didn’t have that last rain or two, it wouldn’t have been pretty.”

Reid also understands how fortunate he’s been this year.

“You drive from Saskatoon south; the canola market is just all burnt up.”

The same can be said for Kerry Peterson who farms in the Shellbrook area. While he has lost some crops, he believes he’s on pace for a normal year.

“If we can get another rain between now and the middle of August, that’ll go a long way in getting us to 85 per cent,” Peterson said.

Meanwhile, Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Agriculture doesn’t want to speculate on just how bad this year’s yield will be.

“It is too early in the growing season to predict the impact dry conditions might have as conditions can quickly change based on the weather over the growing season,” read the ministry’s statement.

They added that the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) is offering support to livestock producers by allowing additional acres of low-yielding cereal, pulse crops, canola, and flax to be used as feed.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow