Lots of rain has fallen across the Prairies this year, but not everyone has been fortunate enough to receive the moisture
REGINA — Some crops are running out of moisture despite decent spring rain through most of Saskatchewan.
Last week’s high temperatures took their toll in parts of the southwest that hadn’t yet recovered from previous years’ drought. Both field crops and pastures were suffering.
Tyler Wilson, who farms near Admiral, said some crops still looked good but others required significant moisture soon.
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“Things are going backwards fast,” he said July 12.
Canola and mustard in full flower were turning orange and aborting flowers, Wilson said. Cereals were burning up and aborting kernels, and crops were starting to look wavy.
“Grazed pastures are starting to turn brown, and grasshoppers are moving more into grain land,” he said.
“We have started spraying some crops a second time already.”
Other parts of the province were also starting to get dry but saw some heavy rain last week that could help.
Tyson Jacksteit farms near Golden Prairie and said the eighth year of drought is upon his family farm.
“The rains have just continued to find ways around us,” he said.
Their crops looked good earlier in July, but last week’s heat took its toll.
“We are losing bushels every day now and will become very dire in another week or so,” he said July 12.
“Showers in the forecast tomorrow but if we miss that it will be ugly.”
Wilson added some later crops have lots of growth but might not have enough moisture to fill grain.
Both said they need significant rain soon.
Topsoil moisture conditions were deteriorating due to less rain and higher temperatures, although they were still quite good in many regions. Drier weather helped move haying operations along.
Alberta reported much the same situation, while Manitoba continues to be wet.
Saskatchewan issued a provincial fire ban July 11 for all crown lands, provincial parks, provincial recreation sites and the entire north due to the conditions. The ban covers open fires, controlled burns and fireworks. It includes all land within 4.5 kilometres of the provincial forest boundary.
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency asked all municipalities to consider implementing bans if they examined their fire risk and had concern. Some pockets in the grain belt were at extreme fire risk.
