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 30, lentil Anthracnose risk is medium across most of Saskatchewan. However, higher-risk areas remain in the northwest and parts of the northern region of the province.
- The risk remains generally stable through the weekend. Most of the province is expected to remain at medium risk, while isolated northern regions continue to experience medium-high to high risk.
- Hot, dry weather is expected to limit further disease development in many areas, although fields with established infections should continue to be monitored.
Chickpea Ascochyta Risk Maps: Agronomist Notes
- As of July 30, chickpea Ascochyta risk varies across Saskatchewan. Much of central, eastern, and northeastern Saskatchewan remains at low risk, while parts of western Saskatchewan are at medium risk.
- Several high-risk pockets remain in the northwest near the North Battleford and Prince Albert regions, as well as isolated areas of the southwest.
- Risk remains relatively similar through the weekend, with low risk persisting across most of eastern Saskatchewan and higher-risk pockets remaining concentrated in northwestern regions of the province.
Temperature Maps: Agronomist Notes
- Warm temperatures across Saskatchewan (max ~28-35°C for most of the province, avg ~24-28°C) will continue to support crop advancement and maturity but may increase heat and moisture stress in some areas.
- Minimum temperatures of ~12-18°C are expected across most of the province, providing warm overnight conditions.
Precipitation Map: Agronomist Notes
- Very little precipitation is expected across Saskatchewan over the next four days.
- Most of the province is forecast to receive less than 5 mm, with only isolated areas in the northwest and far south receiving scattered showers.
- Hot and dry weather is expected to continue across much of Saskatchewan through the weekend.
Heat Blast Map: Agronomist Notes
- There is risk of heat blast this week across southern and west-central Saskatchewan due to prolonged hot temperatures and warm overnight lows however many pulse crops in these areas have advanced beyond flowering stages.
- The highest risk is in the southwest and south-central regions of the province, where some areas are forecast to experience three to four days of heat blast conditions if fields continue to flower.
- Risk remains low across much of eastern and northeastern Saskatchewan where flowering continues in some areas.
Growing Degree Days Map: Agronomist Notes
- Most of Saskatchewan is at approximately 900-1100 GDD since May 1, supporting pod fill and crop maturity.
- There are pockets of the central and southern regions that have accumulated more than 1100 GDD and may be approaching maturity more rapidly.
- Northern regions generally remain slightly behind at approximately 850-1000 GDD.
- Overall GDD accumulation remains above normal for many areas, advancing crop development and maturity.
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.