Southwest Region

There was little to no precipitation over the past week. Some isolated thunderstorms over the weekend with no major amounts reported. Winds continue to dry out soil surface leading to poorer germination and emergence of later seeded crops. Much of the seed in those fields is sitting in dry topsoil. Soil temperatures increased last week due to a short, late week heat wave.

Most farmers are hoping for a decent rain to soften packed seeds and provide adequate moisture for germinating canola and later seeded crops.
 
Overall seeding is 95 to 97% complete. With the dry weather most producers completed seeding except for isolated wetter fields and some silage plantings.
 
Winter wheat is in the flag leaf to early heading stage and most fall rye fields are heading. Rainfall is needed to help maintain the yield potential.

Early seeded cereal crops are in the 3 to 4 leaf stage with producers starting to apply weed control measures. Cereal growth is slow due to the lack of moisture now impacting more fields.
 
Early seeded canola is at the 2 to 3 leaf stage and producers are completing their first pass of weed control products.
 
Field peas are growing well and are in the 2 to 3 leaf stage.
 
Early planted soybeans have emerged and entered the unifoliate stage. Later planted soybeans are germinating and emergence is uneven.
 
Corn and sunflower growth are slow. Corn is in the 2 to 3 leaf stage and most sunflower fields have good emergence.

Flea beetles are a major issue in canola fields but their density remains below threshold levels. Diamond back moth counts remain at low levels in the area.
 
Forecasted rain on Friday missed most of the area. Most producers now have cattle on summer pastures.