Ministry of Agriculture
Submitted
Harvest has progressed quickly throughout most of the province over the past week. Currently, 42 per cent of the 2024 crop has been harvested, which is up from the 25 per cent reported last week. This is ahead of the five-year average of 34 per cent and the 10-year average of 31 per cent. Producers are hopeful for favourable weather to further advance harvest operations throughout the province in the coming weeks.
The southwest region continues to lead harvest operations with 73 per cent of this year’s crop harvested. The southeast region has 47 per cent of the crop in the bin, followed by the east-central region at 38 per cent and the west-central region at 31 per cent. The northeast currently has 22 per cent harvested and the northwest region sits at 19 per cent harvested.
Winter cereals are nearing completion with 94 per cent of fall rye and 93 per cent of winter wheat harvested. Pulse crops have also substantially increased in harvest completion with 92 per cent of lentils and 90 per cent of field peas harvested. Of the cereal crops, durum is the furthest ahead in harvest progress at 63 per cent, followed by barley at 52 per cent and oats at 32 per cent. Spring wheat currently sits at 28 per cent harvested across the province and canary seed sits at 19 per cent. Mustard is the furthest advanced at 63 per cent harvested for oilseed crops, followed by canola at 16 per cent and flax at eight per cent.
The range in growing conditions across the province has caused varying yield estimates reported for all crop types. Regionally, producers also indicate large variations in yield from field to field due to the scattered rainfall amounts received throughout the growing season. The current estimated averages of crop yields are 45 bushels per acre for hard red spring wheat, 33 bushels per acre for durum, 75 bushels per acre for oats, 63 bushels per acre for barley, 34 bushels per acre for canola, 36 bushels per acre for field peas and 1,317 pounds per acre for lentils. Throughout many regions of the province, crop yields and quality have been negatively impacted by the high temperatures that occurred through the critical stages of flowering combined with the dry conditions experienced in many regions. Additionally, with the increased temperatures occurring through harvest, producers will need to monitor grain storage in the coming weeks.
Rainfall was variable throughout the province with many areas reporting reduced rainfall amounts over the past week apart from the west-central region which received the highest rainfall. The Marsden area reported the highest amount of rainfall for the week at 60 mm followed by the Neilburg area at 57 mm. The Macklin and Unity areas received 50 mm over the past week.
Topsoil moisture conditions are similar to those reported from last week. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 40 per cent adequate, 38 per cent short and 22 per cent very short. Hayland is rated as 34 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and 27 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 23 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and 37 per cent very short. Producers are hopeful for rain following harvest to help replenish soil moisture conditions and mitigate further fire risk.
Crop damage reported over the past week was mainly due to wind and migratory birds. Crop lodging has caused some challenges for producers while combining. Minor damage was also reported from hail and grasshoppers in some regions of the province.
As producers continue with combining, swathing, desiccating, baling straw and hauling bales, they are reminded to exercise caution and remain safe in all the work that they do. Fire risk remains high in many areas due to the drier conditions. Additionally, motorists are asked to remain vigilant and exercise patience when travelling around or near farm equipment on the highway.
SUBHEADLINE: Northeastern Saskatchewan
Despite scattered showers causing some delays to harvest over the past week, harvest progressed within the region. Currently 22 per cent of the crop is harvested within the region which is ahead of the five-year average of 20 per cent and the 10-year average of 16 per cent. As producers continue with harvest in the region, they are also busy swathing, desiccating, baling straw, hauling bales and will be monitoring bins in the coming weeks. The risk of fire is a concern within the region.
Harvest progress by crop is quite variable throughout the region. Currently fall rye is 51 per cent harvested and winter wheat is 43 per cent combined with an additional 23 per cent indicated as not being harvested due to other damage and/or challenges. Additionally, durum is five per cent combined with an additional 58 per cent indicated as not being harvested due to other damage and/or challenges. Barley is 51 per cent harvested, spring wheat is 17 per cent, oats are 16 per cent and canary seed sits at two per cent harvested within the region. Field peas are reported to be 83 per cent harvested with lentils at 61 per cent harvested. For oilseed crops, canola is eight per cent harvested and flax is sitting six per cent complete. Producers are reporting other damage and/or challenges associated with mustard harvest within the region at this time. A full summary of individual crop harvest progress for all regions can be viewed in the attached harvest progress table.
Estimated crop yields vary throughout the region with areas reporting poorer yields to other areas reporting average yields to slightly better than expected yields. Overall, producers are indicating that the increased heat experienced throughout the growing season negatively impacted yield and quality for various crops. Producers estimate 55 bushels per acre for hard red spring wheat, 99 bushels per acre for oats, 76 bushels per acre for barley, 42 bushels per acre for canola, 45 bushels per acre for field peas and 1,745 pounds per acre for lentils. A full summary of estimated crop yields for all regions can be viewed in the attached estimated crop yields table.
Scattered rain fell throughout the region with some areas receiving no rainfall. The highest rainfall recorded fell in the Tisdale area at 35 mm. The Arborfield area received 27 mm, the Hague area received 20 mm and the Star City area received 19 mm over the past week.
Topsoil moisture fell within the region this week. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 48 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and five per cent very short. Hayland is rated as 44 per cent adequate, 48 per cent short and eight per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 38 per cent adequate, 54 per cent short and eight per cent very short. Producers are hopeful for rain following harvest to help replenish soil moisture conditions, assist with pasture growth and mitigate fire risk moving into the fall.
Crop damage over the past week was mainly due to wind. Crop lodging has caused some challenges for producers while combining which has slowed harvest progress in some areas. Minor crop damage was reported from migratory birds and grasshoppers.
SUBHEADLINE: Northwestern Saskatchewan
Recent moisture caused some delays to harvest over the past week. Currently 19 per cent of the crop is harvested within the region. This is ahead of the five-year average of 16 per cent and the 10-year average of 13 per cent. As producers continue with harvest in the region, they are also busy swathing, desiccating, baling straw, hauling bales and will be monitoring bins in the coming weeks.
Harvest progress by crop is variable throughout the region. Winter wheat harvest within the region is complete with fall rye sitting at 63 per cent harvested. Lentils are 82 per cent harvested followed by field peas at 81 per cent harvested within the region. Thirty-two per cent of barley is harvested, durum is 28 per cent harvested with indications of being all harvested for feed, oats are 22 per cent harvested and spring wheat is 20 per cent harvested. For oilseed crops, flax is reported to be seven per cent harvested and canola is four per cent harvested. No mustard is reported to be harvested within the region. Harvest percentages reported include per cent of crop harvested as feed. A full summary of individual crop harvest progress for all regions can be viewed in the attached harvest progress table.
Estimated crop yields vary throughout the region with areas reporting poorer yields that didn’t receive adequate moisture. Additionally, hail caused extensive crop loss in some areas within the region. Overall, producers are indicating that the increased heat and lack of moisture experienced throughout the growing season negatively impacted yield and quality for various crops. Producers estimate 46 bushels per acre for hard red spring wheat, 68 bushels per acre for oats, 65 bushels per acre for barley, 35 bushels per acre for canola, 37 bushels per acre for field peas and 1,476 pounds per acre for lentils. A full summary of estimated crop yields for all regions can be viewed in the attached estimated crop yields table.
Rain fell throughout the region at varying amounts over the past week. The North Battleford area recorded the highest amount at 28 mm followed by the Medstead area at 25 mm. The Livelong area received 24 mm and the Maidstone area received 21 mm over the past week.
Topsoil moisture dropped within the region this week. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 42 per cent adequate, 25 per cent short and 31 per cent very short. Hayland is rated as 33 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and 32 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 31 per cent adequate, 31 per cent short and 38 per cent very short. Producers are hopeful for rain following harvest to help replenish soil moisture conditions, assist with pasture growth and mitigate fire risk moving into the fall.
Crop damage over the past week was mainly caused by wind and migratory birds. Overall minor crop damage was reported in the region.
