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 August 4, lentil Anthracnose risk is medium to medium-high across most of the province. There are a few pockets that remain at high risk in the northern region.
- The risk decreases slightly throughout the week in the northern region, and the high-risk area shifts to the northwest region.
Chickpea Ascochyta Risk Maps: Agronomist Notes
- As of August 4, chickpea Ascochyta risk varies across the province. The majority of the province is at medium to medium-high risk, however there are scattered pockets in the province that remain at high risk.
- The risk remains similar throughout the week, however the high-risk area is expected to increase by the end of the week.
Temperature Maps: Agronomist Notes
- Moderate temperatures across Saskatchewan (max ~20-30°C for most of the province, avg ~15-20°C) will support crop development and maturity.
- Minimum temperatures of ~0–10°C are expected for most of the province this week.
Precipitation Map: Agronomist Notes
- Minimal precipitation is expected this week across the province. The northern region may receive up to 10 mm.
- The rest of the province will remain dry this week.
Heat Blast Map: Agronomist Notes
- No heat blast is anticipated for this week as temperatures will remain cool-moderate throughout the week.
Growing Degree Days Map: Agronomist Notes
- Most of Saskatchewan is at ~1000-1100 GDD since May 1, supporting flowering and reproductive growth.
- There are a few pockets of the province at ~1100-1200 GDD which may have slightly more advanced crop growth.
- A few small pockets of the province are at ~900-1000.
- Overall GDD accumulation remains moderate, supporting reproductive growth and pod fill.
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.