By Alice McFarlane

Saskatchewan crops remain in relatively good condition

Jul 23, 2020 | 12:00 PM

SASKATCHEWAN – Crops are advancing quickly, thanks to recent rain and warm weather. But the additional humidity has many producers on their sprayers hoping to control disease.

Ministry of Agriculture crops extension specialist John Ippolito said farmers are hoping to protect their crops.

“Fungicide applications became pretty widespread on cereals and oilseeds as well as pulses,” Ippolito said. “Not a lot of disease showing up at this point, but farmers have been taking preventative measures to keep it to a minimum.”

Ippolito works out of the ministry’s Kindersley office. He said there is a concern about disease, in particular with pulse crops.

“There will be anthracnose in lentils but because of the crop that’s coming, and the rainfall amounts we’ve had, a lot of growers have taken preventative measures in the past two weeks,” he said.

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Crop damage this past week was attributed to localized flooding, hail, and strong winds. Rainfall varied throughout the province this past week with many regions receiving at least half an inch. The Kuroki area in the east-central region received the greatest amount of rain at 51 millimeters.

With hot weather in the forecast, many crops are expected to quickly catch up with 77 per cent of spring cereals, 74 per cent of oilseeds and 84 per cent of pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year.

Haying continues in between rain showers, although frequent rain and high humidity has prevented dry-down of many hay crops. Hay yields have been below normal for many producers and most are unsure if a second cut is possible this year.

Farmers are busy haying, applying fungicides, scouting for disease and insects, and getting equipment ready for harvest which should begin in a few weeks in southern locations.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF