The recent rains are helping to improve crop development, but more rain is needed in the southwest and western half of the province where crop stress has been a concern. 

The Ministry of Agriculture's crop report shows crop development has stalled due to extremely dry conditions in the west, which delayed germination and plant growth. 

In the east, development has been slow due to overly wet conditions and cooler temperatures. 

Growing conditions have been reported to be good in the southeast and east central regions where they have adequate moisture and warm weather. 

Strong windy conditions have played a factor in crop damage and top soil drying out especially on the west side of the province. 

Crops Extension Specialist Matt Struthers says the wind is also hampering spraying operations as producers try to deal with a number of issues.

"They're certainly dealing with in crop spraying for weeds. You know, there's some windy days there and of course now that the conditions have improved, weeds are certainly taking advantage of that. So they're spraying weeds, but also trying to get under control insect pests such as flea beetle, cutworm and grasshoppers."

According to the weekly report, provincially 73 per cent of the fall cereals, 55 per cent of the spring cereals, 45 per cent of the oilseed crops and 64 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year.

Flea beetles caused substantial damage in some areas due to canola crops being so slow to develop.

Overall, Struthers says crop conditions seem to be improving in most areas.

"We were stalled out in crop development and crop growth in the West, due to how dry it was. Now that they've gotten some moisture, we're hoping that those crops can bounce back. They can catch up, and we can start to have a better year than we started off with over there. Whereas in the east, we still have that moisture, of course, it just continues to rain over there. We've had some warm days as well, and that's making the crops grow a little bit quicker."

Struthers notes there were reports of crop damage from a hailstorm that hit the Truax area south of Moose Jaw, but producers believe some of the crops will be able to recover.

Rain in the western regions is needed to keep crop development progressing and support pasture growth. 

Producers that did not receive the rain are reporting their crops are starting to go backward in development. 

In the southwest, livestock producers are also raising concerns about grass growth on pastures and hay land, pointing out that as of right now the hay crop in the region does not look good.

Provincially, moisture levels on crop and hay and pasture land continue to improve as more areas of the province receive weekly precipitation. 

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as nine per cent surplus, 75 per cent adequate, 15 per cent short and one per cent very short. 

Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 68 per cent adequate, 21 per cent short and five per cent very short.

You can view Saskatchewan's Weekly Crop Report here.