Submitted
Producers were able to make significant harvest progress over the past week due to the lack of moisture. Currently, 61 per cent 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 field work which includes harrowing and post-harvest spraying for weed control.
As harvest is a very busy time for producers, they are reminded to take safety measures in all the work they do. This includes having fire mitigation resources on hand and taking precautions when working around powerlines. The public is reminded to take extra caution, time and space when encountering machinery on the roads.
Northeastern Saskatchewan
Despite scattered showers within the region again this week, harvest was able to progress to 34 per cent complete. This aligns with the five-year average of 34 per cent and is ahead of the 10-year average of 30 per cent. As producers continue with harvest in the region, they are also busy with baling straw, hauling bales, along with swathing and desiccating some of the later seeded crops.
Harvest progress by crop is quite variable throughout the region with some fluctuations as compared to previous weeks reports. Producers have indicated that they are struggling with hailed out crops in some areas. Currently, fall rye and triticale harvest is complete within the region with field peas nearing completion. Winter wheat estimated to be 29 per cent combined with an additional 35 per cent indicated as not being harvested due to other damage and/or challenges. Additionally, durum is 26 per cent combined with an additional 58 per cent indicated as not being harvested due to other damage and/or challenges. Barley is 63 per cent harvested, spring wheat is 47 per cent, oats are 36 per cent and canary seed sits at 11 per cent harvested within the region. Lentils are reported to be 76 per cent harvested. For oilseed crops, canola is 13 per cent harvested and flax is sitting at nine per cent complete. Producers are reporting other damage and/or challenges associated with mustard harvest within the region at this time. Harvest percentages reported include crop harvested as feed.
Within the region, some producers indicate that grades of combined crops are holding strong for earlier harvested cereals and peas while others indicate that the size and bushel weights are below normal. Pea grades are reported to be 73 per cent at 2 CAN with 26 per cent at 1 CAN and one per cent at 3 CAN. Lentil grade quality is reported mainly at 2 CW for the region. Durum grade quality is reported at 21 per cent 1 CW and 79 per cent 2 CW. Quality for barley is reported at 41 per cent malt, 41 per cent 1 CW and 18 per cent 2 CW/sample.
Rain was scattered throughout the region over the past week. The highest amount was reported in the Yellow Creek area at 10 mm followed by the Carrot River area at nine mm and the St. Brieux area at eight mm. All other areas received less than six mm of rainfall over the past week with many areas receiving no precipitation.
Reductions to topsoil moisture were reported over the past week. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated 45 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and eight per cent very short. Hayland is rated as 38 per cent adequate, 49 per cent short and 13 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 35 per cent adequate, 51 per cent short and 14 per cent very short. Producers are hopeful for precipitation following harvest to help replenish soil moisture levels and improve pasture conditions within the region.
Over the past week, minor crop damage was mainly due to wind along with migratory birds and other wildlife. Producers have also indicated that grasshoppers have caused up to moderate damage in some isolated areas of the region.
Northwestern Saskatchewan
Producers made significant harvest progress within the region over the past week despite scattered rainfall. Harvest currently sits at 49 per cent complete which is up from the 19 per cent reported last week. This is ahead of the five-year average of 27 per cent and the 10-year average of 24 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 progress by crop is variable throughout the region. Winter cereal harvest is complete within the region. Lentil and field pea harvest are nearing completion with 98 per cent harvested and 95 per cent harvested, respectively. Sixty-six per cent of spring wheat is harvested, barley is 63 per cent harvested and oats are 49 per cent harvested.
For oilseed crops, flax is reported to be 30 per cent harvested and canola is 17 per cent harvested. Harvest percentages reported include crop harvested as feed.
Within the region, many producers indicate reduced quality due to lighter bushel weights and smaller seed size for various crops. Pea grades are reported to be 80 per cent at 2 CAN with 12 per cent at 1 CAN and eight per cent at 3 CAN. Lentil grades are mainly 2 CAN at 64 per cent with 25 per cent at 1 CAN and six per cent at 3 CAN. No reports on durum quality were provided. Quality for barley is reported at four per cent malt, 64 per cent 1 CW and 32 per cent 2 CW/sample.
Rain was scattered throughout the region over the past week. The highest amount was reported in the Meadow Lake area at 16 mm followed by the North Battleford area at 10 mm. All other areas received less than six mm of rainfall over the past week with some areas receiving no precipitation.
Topsoil moisture declined over the past week. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated 22 per cent adequate, 50 per cent short and 28 per cent very short. Hayland is rated as 16 per cent adequate, 45 per cent short and 39 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 15 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and 41 per cent very short. Producers are hopeful for precipitation following harvest to help replenish soil moisture levels and improve pasture conditions within the region.
Over the past week, minor crop damage was mainly due to wind along with migratory birds and other wildlife. Producers also indicated that grasshoppers caused moderate damage in some isolated areas of the region.
