Pulse Crops Starting to Pod

REGINA - Jul 7/16 - SNS -- Saskatchewan's pulse crops continue to develop at an above average pace, according to the latest crop progress report from Saskatchewan Agriculture, but disease pressure is reported throughout the growing region.

Already, 3% of the province's pulse crops are podding, while another 69% are flowering. Other crops are also developing rapidly, with 51% of the fall cereals are in the dough stage while 34% of the spring cereals are in the heading stage. Also, 20% of the flax and 60% of the canola and mustard are flowering.

However, while the hot and humid conditions are accelerating crop development, they are also forcing farmers to apply fungicides to combat disease.

At the same time, the provincial agriculture department said there were reports of localized flooding, strong winds and disease. Hail was reported in a few areas of the province and crops are being assessed for damage.

The majority of the province received rainfall this past week with the Outlook area reporting 95 mm. Many other areas reported well over 25 mm of rain. Across the province, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 9% surplus, 85% adequate and 6% short.

         Saskatchewan Pulse Crop Development Stage
                   (per cent)
               Emerging Vegetative  Flowering    Podding
Southeast             2         31         64          3
Southwest             0         27         71          2
East Central          0         28         70          2
West Central          1         27         69          3
Northeast             0         33         64          3
Northwest            13         82          5          0
All                   1         27         69          3
SOURCE: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Crop reports in southeastern Saskatchewan say the majority of crops remain in good-to-excellent condition, with many reports of crops being at least two weeks ahead of normal development. However, recent heavy and frequent rainfall has flooded low-lying areas and caused some disease issues in fields. Producers are applying fungicides to all crop types as time and field conditions permit.

Crops in southwestern Saskatchewan are also in good-to-excellent condition, but many low spots have flooded and pulse crops are beginning to yellow in some fields. Producers are applying fungicides to all crop types as field conditions permit. There are reports that producers are spraying for cabbage seedpod weevils in canola and mustard crops and for grasshoppers in some lentil crops.

Most crops in east-central crop districts are in good-to-excellent condition and remain at their normal stage of development for this time of year. Some crops have lodged due to strong winds and heavy rain, and producers are applying fungicides as disease conditions are optimal. The majority of crop damage this week is due to standing water that has flooded some low spots and yellowed some crops.

In west-central crops districts, crops remain in good-to-excellent condition and the recent rain will help them mature. The majority of crop damage this week was caused by localized flooding, strong winds and hail. Many producers are spraying fungicides on all crop types as disease pressure is high and conditions are optimal. There are reports of grasshoppers in some of the lentils and producers are monitoring fields.

High disease pressure is also reported in northwest Saskatchewan, forcing farmers to apply fungicides to all crops. Even so, they remain in relatively good condition and growth is rapidly advancing under optimal growing conditions. The majority of crop damage this past week is due to strong winds and disease pressure. There are reports of hail damage, although crops are expected to recover.

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