Producers continue to make progress with harvest despite scattered storms throughout the province over the past week.
A few areas received severe storms producing heavy rain and hail causing extensive crop damage. The persistent heat and lack of moisture in other areas of the province continues to rapidly advance crop maturity. Producers that have started harvest are indicating variable yields across the province. In many regions, the lack of moisture and increased heat has impacted grain fill, resulting in yield reductions across various crops.
Currently, Saskatchewan is reporting 15 per cent of harvest complete, ahead of the five-year average of 13 per cent and the 10-year average of 11 per cent. The southwest continues to lead in harvest progress, with 29 per cent of the crop harvested. This is followed by the southeast at 21 per cent and the east-central region at 17 per cent. Notably much of the harvest progress for the east-central region has occurred around the Hanley area due to experiencing drier conditions as compared to the rest of the region. The west-central and northeast regions both sit at five per cent harvest completion and the northwest region reports one per cent of harvest complete.
Harvest progress advanced for all crops over the past week. Provincially, fall rye leads in harvest progress at 62 per cent followed by triticale at 61 per cent and winter wheat at 56 per cent. Lentils and field peas continue to lead the spring-seeded crops in harvest progress; 50 per cent of lentils and 44 per cent of peas are harvested. For cereals, barley sits at 17 per cent harvested, durum is 14 per cent, oats are 11 per cent and spring wheat is four per cent harvested provincially. With 17 per cent harvested, mustard leads in oilseed harvest progress followed by canola at only two per cent harvested across the province.
Provincially, grade quality is variable for fall rye and winter wheat. Fall rye is reported at 57 per cent 1 CW, 26 per cent, 2 CW and 17 per cent 3 CW. Winter wheat grade quality is reported at 61 per cent 1 CW, 25 per cent 2 CW, 13 per cent 3 CW and one per cent as feed.
Rain was variable over the past week with areas receiving no rainfall, to isolated storms reported that produced heavy rain and hail. The highest rainfall recorded fell in the Craven area at 69 mm, followed by the Strasbourg area at 66 mm and the Caron area at 52 mm. The Arborfield area received 49 mm and the Rosthern area received 48 mm over the past week.
Recent moisture has helped improve topsoil moisture conditions across some areas of the province. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is 35 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and 24 per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is 31 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and 25 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 25 per cent adequate, 43 per cent short and 41 per cent very short.
Given the persistent weeks of hot and dry weather, pasture conditions have diminished in many regions. Currently, four per cent of pastures are in excellent condition, 22 per cent are good, 36 per cent are fair, 25 per cent are poor and 13 per cent are very poor.
Crop damage over the past week was mainly due to the persistent lack of moisture throughout many regions, along with the increased temperatures. Crop lodging, due to wind damage, was also reported across the province along with hail damage in isolated areas. Grasshoppers continue to persist in the drier regions of the province as well. Producers are still evaluating sclerotinia stem rot development within their fields as canola matures but many regions are reporting increased amounts of infection this year.
As producers continue with equipment maintenance, hauling bales, desiccating, swathing and harvesting over the next week, they are reminded to take safety precautions in all the work they do. This includes having fire mitigation resources at the ready and taking precautions when working around powerlines. The public is also reminded to exercise caution regarding machinery and equipment travelling on roadways. Harvest can be a stressful time for producers and the Farm Stress Line is available to provide support toll free at 1-800-667-4442.
Northeastern Saskatchewan
As harvest progresses within the region when the weather allows, producers are also busy with equipment maintenance, desiccating and monitoring crop stage for swathing. Producers indicate rain would still be beneficial on later seeded crops and pastures but areas with more advanced crops are hopeful for rain after harvest is complete to help with replenishing soil moisture.
Harvest progress within the region sits at five per cent. This aligns with the five-year average of five per cent and is ahead of the 10-year average of four per cent.
Within the northeast region currently, 49 per cent of fall rye has been harvested along with five per cent of barley, eight per cent of lentils and six per cent of peas. Of the fall rye harvested within the region, producers indicate grade quality to be 3 CW. A full summary of individual crop harvest progress for all regions can be viewed in the attached harvest progress table.
Rain fell throughout the region with many areas receiving higher amounts. Arborfield recorded the highest amount of rainfall over the past week at 49 mm followed by the Rosthern area at 48 mm. The Duck Lake area received 39 mm and the Nipawin area received 35 mm.
Topsoil moisture conditions remain similar to reports from previous weeks. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is one per cent surplus, 55 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and two per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is 53 per cent adequate and 47 per cent short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 47 per cent adequate, 51 per cent short and two per cent very short.
Pasture conditions remain mainly in good to fair condition. Currently, one per cent of pastures are in excellent condition, 41 per cent are good, 45 per cent are fair, 11 per cent are poor and two per cent are very poor.
Crop damage over the past week remains mainly due to the impacts from reduced moisture combined with the increased temperature along with crop lodging due to heavy rain events. Minor to moderate crop damage was reported for wind. As canola continues to mature within the region, sclerotinia stem rot and blackleg infections are being observed.
Northwestern Saskatchewan
As harvest is just starting for some producers within the region, many are anticipating starting within the next week if weather allows. Producers are busy swathing, desiccating and monitoring desiccated crops for dry down. The persistent lack of moisture and increased heat has impacted grain fill within the region across various crops.
Currently, the northwest region is one per cent complete harvest. This is behind the five-year average of three per cent and 10-year average of two per cent for the region.
Within the northwest region currently, winter wheat harvest is complete. Fall rye sits at five per cent harvested and spring wheat is one per cent complete. Three per cent of oats have been harvested for feed. Of the pulse crops, 14 per cent of lentils have been harvested and ten per cent of field peas. Producers have not reported grades for winter wheat or fall rye that has been harvested within the region. A full summary of individual crop harvest progress for all regions can be viewed in the attached harvest progress table.
Rainfall was variable over the past week throughout the region with many areas reporting minimal amounts. The highest rainfall recorded fell in the Hafford area at 18 mm. The Speers area received 13 mm over the past week and the St. Walburg area received 11 mm.
Topsoil moisture conditions remain similar to previous weeks. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is 26 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and 30 per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is 17 per cent adequate, 49 per cent short and 34 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 16 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and 44 per cent very short.
Pasture conditions continue to diminish within the region due to the persistent hot and drier conditions. Currently, one per cent of pastures are in excellent condition, 15 per cent are good, 36 per cent are fair, 30 per cent are poor and 18 per cent are very poor.
Crop damage over the past week remains mainly due to the impacts from reduced moisture combined with the increased temperature along with crop lodging due to wind. Minor crop damage was reported for hail, wildlife and waterfowl over the past week. Grasshoppers are causing minor to moderate damage in some areas within the region. As canola continues to mature within the region, sclerotinia stem rot and blackleg infections are being observed.
