Southeastern Saskatchewan crops continued to get too much of a good thing in the past week, with continuous rain - coupled with cool temperatures and strong winds - that has slowed crop development.

An average of 27 mm of rain fell in the Weyburn crop district in the past week, matching the average rainfall across the southern grainbelt. The RM of Cymri recorded the most rain in the region with 45 mm, while the RM of Fillmore recorded the least at 9 mm.

Crop damage from flooding has been reported in southeastern and south central areas of the province, including the Weyburn area, where there are excessive moisture conditions with low spots under water. Strong winds have also caused damage over much of the same areas.

Wind and rain are hampering the efforts of many producers to spray for weeds. Farmers in some areas are becoming concerned about weed control as crop development progresses.

Diseases such as root rot, due to excess moisture, have been sighted in emerging crops.

In terms of crop development in southern Saskatchewan, spring cereals are 27 per cent at or passed the jointed stage; 60 per cent of the flax crop is at the seedling stage; 35 per cent of the canola crop has reached the rosette stage; one per cent of the southern pulse crops are flowering, with an additional 77 per cent at the vegetative stage; and 53 per cent of fall cereals are at the heading stage.

Flea beetles have continued to eat away at canola in the area, and are affecting crops in a large portion of the southeastern and south central parts of the province.

The beetles have necessitated some re-seeding, and there are still a handful of farmers in the southeast who are not completely finished seeding.

Haying and silage operations are just beginning to get underway. Over 80 per cent of crop reporters in the south rate moisture conditions on hay and pasture land as good. Many hay crops are short, and yields are expected to be down.