Ministry of Agriculture, Submitted
Harvest has progressed nicely this past week with 68 per cent of this year’s crop now in the bin. This is up from 51 per cent last week, ahead of the five-year average (2018-2022) of 52 per cent and the 10-year average (2013-2022) of 48 per cent.
Combines continue to roll across the province with the end of harvest in sight for many producers. The southwest is near completion at 93 per cent. The west-central is not far behind at 78 per cent complete. The east-central and northeast are now past the halfway point, with 54 per cent and 55 per cent complete respectively. The northwest continues to make great progress at 39 per cent complete.
Field peas and lentils are nearly completed, with 96 per cent of each in the bin. Chickpeas continue to be harvested quickly, with 78 per cent of the crop off. Spring seeded cereals have been the main focus of producers for the last few weeks. Barley is now 86 per cent complete, durum is 88 per cent, spring wheat is 75 per cent and oats are 58 per cent complete. Triticale harvest is essentially complete with 99 per cent of the crop off. Eighty-nine per cent of the harvested triticale has been allocated for use as livestock feed. Producers are now turning their focus to oilseed harvest, with 84 per cent of mustard, 42 per cent of canola, 31 per cent of soybeans and 25 per cent of flax in the bin.
Provincially, quality is slightly above the 10-year average for peas, lentils and durum. Pea grades are mainly 1 CAN at 39 per cent or 2 CAN at 57 per cent; this is slightly above the 10-year average of 38 per cent 1 CAN and 54 per cent 2 CAN. Lentils are very similar, with 31 per cent of the crop 1 CAN and 57 per cent 2 CAN; the 10-year average is 28 per cent 1 CAN and 49 per cent 2 CAN. Durum grade quality is reported at 32 per cent 1 CW, 46 per cent 2 CW and 22 per cent 3 CW. This is ahead of the 10-year average of 34 per cent 1 CW, 27 per cent 2 CW and 22 per cent 3 CW.
Pockets of rain moved through the province and halted combines momentarily this week; however, no major rain events were reported. The North Battleford area received the most rain with 25 mm recorded. Topsoil moisture remains unchanged with 35 per cent of cropland having adequate moisture, 41 per cent short and 24 per cent very short.
Twenty-nine per cent of hay and pasture land has adequate moisture, 42 per cent are short and 29 per cent are very short.
Crop damage this past week is due to light frosts in the north, drought conditions in the south and grasshoppers. Producers are busy swathing, combining and desiccating canola. Producers are also moving cattle onto stubble fields, hauling water and preparing for winter.
Harvest is a very busy and stressful time for producers. 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 Farm Stress Line is available to provide support to producers toll free at 1‑800‑667‑4442. The public is reminded to take extra caution, time and space when encountering machinery on the roads.
Northeastern Saskatchewan
The northeast has crossed the half-way point this week, and the region harvest is now 55 per cent complete. This is ahead of the five-year average of 37 per cent.
Producers are finishing their spring cereals this week and are turning their focuses onto their oilseeds. The region has 100 per cent of durum, 91 per cent of barley 77 per cent of spring wheat and 67 per cent of oats harvested for the year. Canola is 26 per cent harvested, while minimal progress has been made on flax. Fifty per cent of the region’s chickpeas are off for the year.
Producers are seeing their lentils being graded at 2 CAN. Their peas are mainly 2 CAN at 70 per cent or 3 CAN at 16 per cent. Some untimely rains made harvesting wheat at the best stage difficult and resulted in some sprouted grain, causing most durum to be rated at Other.
Minimal rain fell in the northeast this week, with Humboldt receiving the most at seven mm. Topsoil moisture is adequate in the region. Seventy-eight per cent of cropland has adequate moisture and 22 per cent is short. Similarly, 66 per cent of hay and pastureland has adequate moisture and 34 per cent is short.
Crop damage this past week is due to light frosts and wildlife damage. Producers are busy combining and applying post-harvest herbicides. Producers are also moving cattle and preparing for winter.
Northwestern Saskatchewan
Harvest in the northwest is now 39 per cent complete, up from 21 per cent last week and ahead of the five-year average of 30 per cent. While some producers had to pause harvest for moisture levels to improve, many producers in the northwest are pleased with harvest so far.
Producers are focusing on their spring cereals while they wait for their canola swaths to dry down. Barley is 67 per cent harvested, spring wheat is 52 per cent complete and oats is 37 per cent complete for the year. Flax is currently 26 per cent harvested, while canola is 18 per cent complete and 53 per cent is in swath.
Producers have begun selling grain and are getting their first grades back for the year. Lentils are being graded at 2 CAN at 56 per cent while some are 3 CAN 34 per cent. Peas are mostly being graded at 2 CAN at 77 per cent, with some being graded at 3 CAN at 16 per cent.
The North Battleford area received the most rain in the province this week, with 25 mm being reported. Topsoil moisture has increased this week, with 48 per cent of cropland having adequate moisture, 48 per cent is short and four per cent is very short. Thirty-nine per cent of hay and pastures have adequate topsoil moisture, 55 per cent is short and six per cent is very short.
Crop damage this past week is due to light frosts and excess moisture. Producers are busy swathing, combining and monitoring moisture levels. Producers are also moving bales, working livestock and marketing cattle.
