Saskatchewan livestock producers have 65 per cent of the 2012 hay crop cut and 42 per cent baled or put into silage, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report. Ninety-one per cent of the hay crop is rated as good to excellent in quality.

The estimated average hay yields on dry land are reported as 1.4 tons per acre for alfalfa and wild hay, 1.6 tons per acre for alfalfa/brome and other tame hay and 1.9 tons per acre for greenfeed. On irrigated land, the estimated average hay yields are 2.1 tons per acre for alfalfa, 2.3 tons per acre for alfalfa/brome, 2.4 tons per acre for other tame hay and 2.6 tons per acre for greenfeed).

Warm and dry weather this past week has allowed for crops to advance quickly and most of them are in good condition. High temperatures and humidity have resulted in thunderstorms in some areas that produced varying amounts of precipitation. Disease, insects and wind are causing the majority of crop damage.

Cropland top soil moisture is rated as 18 per cent surplus, 74 per cent adequate and eight per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 11 per cent surplus, 75 per cent adequate, 13 per cent short and one per cent very short.

Farmers are busy haying and controlling diseases and insects. Follow the 2012 Crop Report on Twitter at @SKGovAg.