The recent string of hot days and precipitation that we received in the last few weeks has benefitted producers in the area.

"Prior to that," explained Daphne Cruise, with Saskatchewan Agriculture, "we were missing a lot of those rains in the southeast but since then I think the crop has definitely responded, the pastures as well. So that's good news."

"When it comes to topsoil moisture in the southeast, we're sitting at 7% surplus, 65% adequate, and 28% short on the croplands."

The hay crop is also benefitting from the increased rain at 5% surplus, 66% adequate, 25% short, and 4% very short on hay and pastureland.

"Producers have just started cutting for the year. 2% as of just a couple days ago has been cut. Right now the predicted quality is rated at 4% excellent, 57% good, and 39% fair. Even just a few weeks ago, that moisture did help the hay crop but in a lot of areas, it's still expected to be lower than average for yield this year just because we didn't get that early season moisture for the southeast and that's what the perennial hay crop needs to establish good yield."

"Things are looking up but producers have indicated that it might be lower than average."

However, all this rain isn't a good thing for everyone. 

"There are some areas particularly in the very far southeast that have quite a bit of surplus topsoil moisture at this time. The last couple weeks have definitely dumped more moisture on those areas in particular but things are looking a lot better than they did up until about a couple weeks ago." 

She added that most crop damage is due to lack of moisture. Severe weather along with large hail can also affect the crops.

"It just depends on how big and at what crop stage those crops are in if they do receive any kind of damage. For the most part, it sounds like a lot of the cereals are either in the boot stage or starting to head out, the pulses are starting to flower, and even some canola is starting to bolt and flower as well so with that, especially at this time, usually, canola is the most forgiving. If we tend to see a big storm at this time of year, it doesn't mean to say that it will completely bounce back but that all depends on how bad the storm is."

"It's just one of those things where if it happens, you have to assess the damage after and maybe hang on and wait a week to see what kind of regrowth happens."