Ministry of Agriculture
Submitted
Limited rainfall allowed many producers to wrap up harvest this past week. Harvest progress increased two per cent and currently sits at 99 per cent complete.
Producers in the southeast, southwest and west-central regions have finished harvest. Nearly all producers in the northeast region have completed harvest as progress sits at 99 per cent. Finally, harvest is close to wrapping up in the east-central and northwest regions at 98 per cent complete.
With harvest near completion in much of Saskatchewan, only a few types of crops remain in the field. This includes oats, canola, flax and soybeans. Harvest progress for oats is at 99 per cent complete and the remainder of these crops should be off in the next week. For oilseed crops, both canola and flax harvest progress is 98 per cent complete. Soybeans remain the furthest behind at 90 per cent complete, but the remaining 10 per cent is ready to be combined. Harvest for all winter cereals, triticale, field peas, lentils, durum, mustard, chickpeas, spring wheat, barley and canary seed crops is complete.
The province had very limited rainfall last week which allowed producers to get lots of field work done. The Wapella, Choiceland and North Battleford areas received the most rainfall with 10 mm of precipitation. The Star City area followed with nine mm, while the Arborfield and Saint Brieux areas each got eight mm. No snowfall was reported this week, but snow is certainly on the horizon for Saskatchewan.
The dry conditions this week caused topsoil moisture to decrease slightly. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 54 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and nine per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture currently sits at 45 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and 14 per cent very short. Finally, pasture topsoil moisture remains the lowest, with conditions at 37 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 21 per cent very short. Producers are hoping to get more rain prior to freeze-up to improve topsoil moisture conditions for next year.
Since almost all crops are off in the province, little crop damage is being reported. Heavy winds continue to damage the few crops remaining in the field by blowing swaths around and shelling grain. Migratory birds and other wildlife continue to feed on the few remaining crops, but damage is minimal.
Producers are working hard to get necessary field work done prior to freeze-up. After they finish harvest, producers are busy spraying weeds, harrowing and preparing their livestock operations for winter. Since producers are still busy with field work, they are reminded to prioritize safety in the work they do. Large machinery is still moving on public roads, so drivers are reminded to use extra caution when encountering farm equipment on roadways.
This will be the last Crop Report until the final report is issued on October 30, 2024. This will allow time for appropriate information to be gathered and prepared.
Northeastern Saskatchewan
The northeast experienced the largest increase in harvest progress last week. Harvest is now 99 per cent complete, which is six per cent higher than the last report.
The only crops with acres left to combine are oats, flax and canola. Almost all oat crops are off as 99 per cent of these crops are in the bin. Both flax and canola follow closely at 97 per cent complete.
Some areas in the northeast got modest rainfall. The Choiceland area got the most rain with 10 mm, followed by the Star City area which received nine mm. Finally, the St. Brieux and Arborfield areas both received eight mm.
Topsoil moisture levels are similar to the previous week and the northeast continues to have the best topsoil moisture conditions in the province. Cropland topsoil moisture is 87 per cent adequate and 13 per cent short. Hayland topsoil moisture is 73 per cent adequate, 26 per cent short and one per cent very short. Pasture topsoil is 71 per cent adequate, 28 per cent short and one per cent very short.
Crop damage occurred this week from wind, waterfowl and wildlife, but damage was insignificant. Producers are continuing to spray for weeds, apply fertilizer and till low spots.
Northwestern Saskatchewan
Last week was cool and foggy in the northwest. Harvest is now 98 per cent complete, which is up five per cent from the previous week.
Most crops are completely off in this region, with only a few spring wheat, oats and canola crops left to harvest. Spring wheat and canola crops are at 99 per cent and 98 per cent complete, respectively. Oats are a little further behind, with harvest progress at 91 per cent complete.
There was very little rainfall in the northwest last week. The most precipitation fell around North Battleford, which was only 10 mm. The Rabbit Lake and Meadow Lake areas each received four mm of rain. Despite this limited rain, topsoil moisture conditions slightly improved in the northwest. Cropland topsoil moisture is currently one per cent surplus, 63 per cent adequate, 28 per cent short and eight per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is 45 per cent adequate 39 per cent short and 16 per cent very short. Finally, pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 44 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and 21 per cent very short.
Since most crops have been harvested, crop damage is very limited. There was some minor damage from wind, migratory birds and wildlife activity. Producers are largely focused on post-harvest weed control and putting equipment away for the winter. Livestock producers are currently baling straw, hauling bales and moving their animals home for the winter.
