Crops in southern Sask. need rain soon: report

Strong winds and a lack of rain are creating problems for crops in southern Saskatchewan.

The province'smost recent crop reportindicates thescattered showers from May 30 to June 5 left many of the province's crops with only "trace-to-small" amounts of rain.

"Persistent strong winds and lack of moisture are drying up fields and delaying crop maturity," it reads.

• 11% of Sask. crops seeded, 5% below five-year average, report says

"There are concerns in areas of the southeast that crop and hay yields will be affected if rain is not received soon."

The report goes on to say that besides wind and a lack of moisture, amajority of crop damage done last week was causedby frost and insects, such as flea beetles and cutworms.

"Crop development has been delayed in much of the province and most crops are behind their normal developmental stages for this time of year," according to the report.

Overall, the province reports that most producers have completed seeding operations for the year, with those in the north needing a bit more time.