Extreme heat conditions over the last week contributed to deteriorating crop conditions in the Weyburn area.

The weekly crop report from Saskatchewan agriculture and food said generally hot, dry conditions prevailed over the area with some wind and thundershowers.

An average of 4 mm of rain was reported, ranging from an average low of 1 mm in the far southeast to 7 mm. Hail damage was reported in the area from Francis to Sedley with golf-ball-size and larger hail stones.

SaskAg extension agrologist Elaine Moats said Monday farmers have started swathing their winter wheat crops, and earlier crops of peas. The rest of the pea crop won't be far behind.

Spraying for grasshoppers is still going on some green crops, and spraying for aphids will continue until the crops mature enough that aphids won't be able to damage them.

Crops that are still flowering remain at risk; as the seeds start to lose moisture and the crop develops, aphids can do less damage, she said.

Producers in the area continue to experience some temporary shortages with the supply of pesticide for the aphids, she said.

The bulk of the tame hay harvest is done. Moats said the good side of the dry weather is that it has allowed producers to put up their hay in dry conditions.

She said crop conditions continue to be extremely patchy. Some fields are being turned under and other crops have been cut for feed but there are good crops, too, she said.

The department's crop report said crop reports rate 57 per cent of spring cereals as normal and 25 per cent ahead; 58 per cent of oilseeds are normal and 27 per cent ahead; 43 per cent of pulse crops are normal and 46 per cent ahead; 60 per cent of fall cereals are normal and 33 per cent ahead of normal.