Harvest has hit the halfway mark here in the southeast region of Saskatchewan. Farmers got back in the field after some stormy weather hindered progress in August. In September, sunny and windy conditions have sped up the drying of crops and with more sun forecasted into the middle of the month farmers can expect little delays weather-wise.
According to the Weekly Crop Report from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture for the week of August 27th to September 2nd, harvest is 47 percent complete, which is ahead of the five-year average of 36 per cent and the 10-year average of 40 per cent. In addition to combining within the region, producers are busy swathing, baling straw, hauling bales and monitoring bins for heating. Despite moisture received throughout much of the region last week, the risk of fire remains elevated.
Winter cereals and some pulse crops are nearing harvest completion. Currently, winter wheat is 94 percent harvested as well as 95 percent of fall rye, 98 percent of field peas, and 92 percent of lentils. Harvest is 69 percent complete for barley, 68 percent complete for durum, 63 percent for oats, 39 percent complete for spring wheat and canary seed sits at 49 per cent complete. Mustard is the furthest advanced at 65 percent harvested for oilseed crops, followed by canola at 21 percent and flax at 19 percent harvested.
Estimated crop yields vary throughout the region with areas reporting poorer yields to other areas reporting average to above average. Overall, producers are indicating that the increased heat and drier conditions experienced throughout the growing season impacted yield and quality for various crops.
Producers estimate 45 bushels per acre for hard red spring wheat, 32 bushels per acre for durum, 79 bushels per acre for oats, 63 bushels per acre for barley, 30 bushels per acre for canola, 32 bushels per acre for field peas and 1,199 pounds per acre for lentils.
Lower rainfall amounts were received this week within the region with some areas reporting no rainfall. The highest rainfall recorded fell in the Broadview area at 25 mm followed by the Glenavon area at 22 mm. The MacNutt and Moosomin areas both received 15 mm over the past week and the Alida area received 11 mm.
Topsoil moisture dropped within the region this week. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one percent surplus, 64 percent adequate, 29 percent short and six percent very short. Hayland is rated as one percent surplus, 52 percent adequate, 38 percent short and nine percent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 44 percent adequate, 44 percent short and 12 percent 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.
Over the past week, crop damage was mainly due to the wind. Minor crop damage was reported from migratory birds and grasshoppers.