Saskatchewan Disease Risk & Climate Outlook: July 23, 2026

Welcome to the Saskatchewan Disease Risk and Environmental Heatmaps, developed through a partnership between Saskatchewan Pulse Growers and Ukko Agro Inc.

These maps provide weather-based insights to support producers and agronomists across Saskatchewan, with a focus on forecasted risk assessments of lentil Anthracnose and chickpea Ascochyta, alongside key environmental and climate conditions. Using data from a 20 km grid of virtual weather stations with hourly inputs (sourced from IBM/The Weather Company), the system generates regularly updated maps that evaluate how recent and forecasted weather conditions influence disease development and environmental risk factors.

Disease risk maps are designed to identify areas where environmental conditions are conducive to disease development, based on factors such as temperature, humidity, and precipitation. It is important to note that these maps reflect weather-driven risk only—they do not account for crop stage, pathogen presence, host susceptibility, or field-specific conditions such as irrigation, which may create localized microclimates and alter risk levels.

Environmental and climate heatmaps are provided in parallel to support broader agronomic decisions and general crop management under variable weather conditions.

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Lentil Anthracnose Risk Maps: Agronomist Notes

• As of July 23, lentil Anthracnose risk is medium to medium-high across most of the province due to steady moisture throughout the season so far. The northern region of the province remains at high risk.
• The risk decreases slightly throughout the weekend, as hot and dry weather is expected.
• The risk is expected to be medium to medium-high across the province by the end of the weekend.

Chickpea Ascochyta Risk Maps: Agronomist Notes

• As of July 23, chickpea Ascochyta risk varies across the province. The majority of the province is at medium risk, however there are pockets in the central region that are at low risk and some northern regions that remain at high risk.
• The risk remains similar over the weekend.

Temperature Maps: Agronomist Notes

• Warm temperatures across Saskatchewan (max ~25-35°C for most of the province, avg ~20-25°C) will support crop development but may cause some heat stress.
• Minimum temperatures of ~10–20°C are expected for most of the province this week.

Precipitation Map: Agronomist Notes

• Scattered precipitation of up 10 mm is expected this week.
• Hot and dry weather expected for the week.
• There is a small pocket north of Saskatoon that may receive 10-20 mm.

Heat Blast Map: Agronomist Notes

• There is risk of heat blast this week across much of the province due to hot temperatures.
• The highest risk is in the southwest part of the province.

Growing Degree Days Map: Agronomist Notes

• Most of Saskatchewan is at ~800-900 GDD since May 1, supporting vegetative growth.
• There are a few central areas at ~900-1000 GDD which may have slightly more advanced crop growth.
• A few small pockets of the province are at ~700-800.
• Overall GDD accumulation remains moderate, keeping crops in vegetative stages where moisture availability and disease pressure can cause yield impacts.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of these maps, weather-driven models are inherently uncertain, and forecasts may not be 100% precise. All outputs are based on conditions at the time of modeling and are subject to change as weather patterns evolve.

These maps are intended to serve as general decision-support tools only. They should not be relied upon as the sole basis for disease management, spray decisions, or other operational actions. Disease development and crop outcomes may be influenced by local environmental conditions, crop management practices, varietal susceptibility, and other factors not captured in the models. Users are strongly encouraged to verify risk through field scouting, on-site observations, and consultation with qualified agronomic advisors. For disease-specific decisions, refer to additional resources such as fungicide decision support tools and field-level risk assessments.

Information provided through these disease risk and environmental maps are OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The map creators and collaborating organizations assume no liability for decisions made or actions taken based on the use of this information.