PROVINCIALLY…

Producers were able to make significant harvest progress over the past week due to the lack of moisture.

Currently, 61 percent of this year’s crop is in the bin, up from 42 per cent reported last week. This is ahead of the five-year average of 50 per cent and the 10-year average of 46 per cent. 

Although the hot and dry weather has allowed harvest to progress, combine and equipment fires are a significant risk. Producers are also monitoring stored grain closely as there are concerns for bin heating given the high temperatures that occurred at the time of combining.

The southwest region is still the furthest advanced in harvest progress at 85 per cent complete. The southeast and west central regions are past the half-way point, with 65 per cent and 54 per cent of harvest complete, respectively. The northwest region currently has 49 per cent harvested, the east-central region is 46 per cent harvested and the northeast region is 34 per cent harvested.

Harvest is nearly complete across the province for winter cereals, triticale, lentils and field peas. Durum is 83 per cent harvested, barley is 70 per cent harvested, spring wheat is 60 per cent harvested, oats are 53 per cent harvested and canary seed are 32 per cent harvested. Chickpeas are estimated to be 76 per cent harvested.

For oilseed crops, mustard is the furthest advanced at 84 per cent harvested, followed by canola at 28 per cent and flax at 22 per cent harvested.

Crop yield and quality continues to vary throughout the province due to the scattered rainfall received throughout the growing season. Producers have indicated good crop quality in some areas, but there are an increasing number of producers who are concerned with light bushel weights and small seed size for various crops. 

Pea grades are mainly 2 CAN at 58 per cent with 39 per cent at 1 CAN; this is slightly above the 10-year average of 53 per cent 2 CAN and 39 per cent 1 CAN.

Similarly, lentil grades are mainly 2 CAN at 69 per cent with 25 per cent at 1 CAN; the 10-year average is 49 per cent 2 CAN and 27 per cent 1 CAN. Durum grade quality is reported at 28 per cent 1 CW, 36 per cent 2 CW and 23 per cent 3 CW. The 10-year average for durum grade quality is 36 per cent 1 CW, 27 per cent 2 CW and 20 per cent 3 CW. Quality for barley is reported at 27 per cent malt, 48 per cent 1 CW and 25 per cent 2 CW/sample.The 10-year average for barley is reported at 29 per cent malt, 51 per cent 1 CW and 20 per cent 2 CW/sample.

There was only limited rainfall across the province this past week. The Meadow Lake area reported the highest amount of rainfall at 16 mm followed by the Yellow Creek and North Battleford areas that both reported 10 mm. The remaining areas of the province received less than 10 mm, with many receiving no rainfall to trace amounts.

Topsoil moisture conditions continue to decline due to the hot and dry weather conditions.Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 33 per cent adequate,43 per cent short and 23 per cent very short. Hayland is rated as one per cent surplus, 26 per cent adequate, 43 per cent short and 30 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 17 per cent adequate, 43 per cent short and 40 per cent very short. There is a significant need for large amounts of precipitation in many areas to help with replenishing topsoil and subsoil moisture levels along with improving pasture conditions.

Crop damage over the past week is mainly due to wind and migratory birds. Grasshoppers are being reported at higher numbers in some areas with overall minor to moderate crop damage estimated.Producers are busy combining, swathing and desiccating later seeded crops, along with baling straw, hauling bales and hauling grain. Some producers are beginning their fall fieldwork which includes harrowing and post-harvest spraying for weed control.

EAST CENTRAL SASKATCHEWAN…

Harvest progressed throughout the region over the past week with 46 per cent of this year’s crop harvested. This is ahead of the five-year average of 25 per cent and the 10-year average of 34 per cent.

As producers continue with harvest, they are also busy with baling straw, hauling bales, and swathing and desiccating some of the later seeded crops.

Harvest is complete for winter wheat within the region with fall rye, lentils and field peas nearing completion. Durum is 79 per cent harvested, barley is 62 per cent harvested,spring wheat is 54 per cent harvested, oats are 38 per cent harvested, and canary seed has limited harvest progress reported. Mustard is the furthest advanced at 25 per cent  harvested for oilseed crops, followed by canola at 16 per cent and flax at six per cent.Harvest percentages reported include crop harvested as feed.

Within the region, some producers indicate that combined crops are of good quality while others indicate that the size and bushel weights are below normal. Pea grades are reported to be 55 per cent at 1 CAN with 44 per cent at 2 CAN and one per cent at 3 CAN.Lentil grades are mainly 1 CAN at 72 per cent with 28 per cent at 2 CAN. Durum grade quality is reported mainly at 1 CW for the region. Quality for barley is reported at 35 percent malt, 47 per cent 1 CW and 18 per cent 2 CW/sample.

Limited precipitation fell throughout much of the region over the past week. The highest amount was reported in the Wadena area at four mm followed by the Hyas area at three mm. All other areas received less rainfall over the past week with many areas receiving no precipitation.

Topsoil moisture continues to decline within the region due to the lack of moisture and increased temperatures. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated 49 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and four per cent very short. Hayland is rated as 34 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 24 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is ratedas 28 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and 25 per cent very short. Producers are hopeful for larger amounts of precipitation following harvest to help replenish soil moisture  levels along with improve pasture conditions.

Over the past week, crop damage was mainly due to wind along with migratory birds. Producers have also indicated that grasshoppers have caused up to moderate damage in some isolated areas of the region.  

(News release from Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture)