Following weeks of dry conditions, local producers welcomed the wet weather in the area at the beginning of the month.
According to the latest Crop Report from the Ministry of Agriculture, farmers are optimistic the precipitation will help crops fills adequately but are also concerned that the rain will also affect the grain quality.
The northeast section led the province in the total amount of rainfall between August 5-11. Beatty led the way with 105 mm while Star City received 102 mm.
Closer to the Humboldt region, the Bruno area received 97 mm of rain. The report indicated that several areas in the northeast received over 50 mm during the week.
With the increased amount of rainfall, topsoil moisture levels were affected. Cropland topsoil moisture is now rated as 14 per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate, and a mere two per cent short. Hayland topsoil moisture levels are 13 per cent surplus, 73 per cent adequate, and 14 per cent short. Similarly, pasture topsoil moisture levels are 12 per cent surplus, 72 per cent adequate, and 16 per cent short.
There has been minimal harvesting activity around the area, The only combining so far is the opening passes of winter cereal fields, with only one per cent of winter wheat and fall rye taken off.
Haying has been mostly completed by livestock producers. Dryland alfalfa yielded 1.05 tons per acre, tame hay yielded 0.54 tons per acre, and greenfeed yielded 1.64 tons per acre. Northeast silage yields were the lowest in the province with an average yield of 4.13 tons per acre in the region.
Some of the crops in the area lodge due to the heavy rainfall and windy conditions. The recent rainfall has also caused minor to moderate damage in some areas.
There are also pockets of high bertha armyworm populations which producers are actively scouting for and spraying when necessary.
From a provincial perspective, two per cent of the crops has been harvested which is behind both the five-year and ten-year averages. Majority of the harvesting has occurred in the southwest area of the province, while some producers in the southeast and east-central are starting to take crop off.
Like the northeastern area, producers in west central, and the other northern regions have not started harvesting.
If favourable conditions occur over the next couple of weeks, producers are hoping to begin harvest.
Farmers are reminded to keep safety in mind during harvest.
The Farm Stress Line is a toll-free number that producers can use to help manage their stress during this busy time, which can be reached at 1-800-667-4442.