Last week in the field: Sask crop report for July 25-31

Producers in the northwest are happy they received rain this past week to help with grain fill. As warm temperatures persist, crops are maturing and beginning to ripen.

The region had some significant moisture this past week with 47 mm was received in the Shellbrook area. Other areas received as little as trace amounts.

The warm and dry conditions persisted despite the rain and caused a decrease in topsoil moisture.

Twenty-four per cent of cropland has adequate topsoil moisture, 60 per cent is short and 16 per cent is very short.

Similarly, 21 per cent of hay and pasture land has adequate moisture, 57 per cent is short and 22 per cent is very short.

Pastures in the northwest are generally in poor condition. Eleven per cent of pastures are in good condition, 34 per cent are fair, 46 per cent are poor and nine per cent are in very poor condition.

Producers are finishing their haying operations and are beginning to cut green feed.

Crop damage this past week is due to dry conditions and insect damage from lygus bugs and grasshoppers.

Producers are busy with haying, desiccating and preparing machinery and bins for harvest.

Prioritizing roadside worker safety

To increase safety for all roadside workers, starting Sept. 1, drivers in the lane closest to any roadside worker vehicle stopped at the side of the road with its lights flashing must slow down to 60 km/h or the posted speed limit, whichever is lower.

Drivers must also move over to the far lane if it’s safe to do so and take reasonable steps to allow other drivers to move over as well.

Currently, only tow truck drivers and first responders are protected under the Traffic Safety Act, but now all roadside workers stopped on the side of the road, with their flashing lights activated, will be covered by these protections.

“This is a commonsense rule change. If you see any flashing lights and people working on the side of the road, slow down to 60 km/h or move over to make an open lane beside them,” said Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen.

“We want to protect our police, paramedics, maintenance workers and tow truck drivers so they can get home safely at the end of the day. These people proudly serve Alberta, and we want to make sure we look out for them.” is on social media!

The new roadside worker safety rules will apply to all roadside workers, including first responders, tow truck operators, highway maintenance workers and snowplow operators.

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This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada.

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Branch Manager

Kneehill

Soil Services Ltd.

We are an independent crop inputs retailer located in central Alberta with a well-established presence in our communities. with a proven track record of providing high quality products and services to our customers. We offer an excellent starting wage, performance bonus plan and group benefits package including health and dental plans. Our company is family focused with a history of great staff retention.

Currently we have a management/sales opportunity at our Drumheller location. The candidate who fills this position would be responsible for all of aspects of the retail sales of that office as well as the efficient and profitable operations of that location.

Primary duties include sales and service of seed, fertilizer, and crop protection products as well as managing custom application. This individual would also be responsible for leading a small team of employees and managing plant operations.

Please email cover letter and resume to: Kneeljb@telus.net

Closing date: August 18, 2023