Harvest progress has been slow going over the past week, due in part to scattered rain showers and thunderstorms leading to humid mornings provincewide. The subsequent shortened harvest days and poor desiccation weather have producers looking forward to more favourable conditions in the near future.
Provincially, harvest progress sits at three per cent, which is behind both the five and 10-year averages, again driven by a combination of rainfall, humidity delaying crop development and harvest progress.
“A lot of producers are working to take off their winter cereal crops as well as their lentil and pea crops as well. There are also a few producers starting to take off some of their spring seeded cereal crops, but harvest has yet to really kick off for those crops, and no canola has been taken off yet,” said crops extension specialist Tyce Masich about progress in the Moose Jaw area.
Progress is led by the southwest, with eight per cent of harvest completed. This is followed by the southeast with four per cent and east-central at two per cent. West-central, the northeast and northwest all trail with just one per cent of harvest complete.
“I think in the next couple of weeks there's supposed to be warm and dry conditions. That should help crops mature and then dry down and then allow producers to really get into the field and kick off with harvest,” Masich said.
“If we get these hot and dry conditions, I expect progress to really take off in the next couple of weeks and for us to catch up to those five- and 10-year averages.”
While progress has been slow, harvest operations have advanced over the past week. Winter wheat is at the front of the pack with 46 per cent, followed by fall rye at 44 per cent and triticale at 34 per cent.
Field peas and lentils lead harvest for spring-seeded crops, with 17 per cent of peas combined and 12 per cent of lentils.
Barley is the frontrunner for cereal crops at eight per cent harvested, trailed by durum at five per cent, oats at two per cent and spring wheat at one per cent. Canola is currently the only oilseed making progress with harvest and sits at just one per cent combined.
Widespread rainfall was experienced across much of the province over the past week. The Yorkton area received 95 millimetres (mm) — the highest recorded in the province — with Swan Plain’s 78mm and the Calder area’s 76mm taking the second and third place provincially.
Despite rain putting the brakes on harvest progress, topsoil moisture levels have benefited as a result. Cropland moisture levels are sitting at 80 per cent adequate, 10 per cent short, and two per cent very short provincially. Hayland topsoil moisture levels are in a similar position, with 73 per cent adequate, 19 per cent short, three per cent very short and five per cent reporting a surplus. Pasture moisture levels are reported as 67 per cent adequate, 24 per cent short, and three per cent very short with a six per cent surplus.
As for livestock water supplies, 67 per cent of producers report no water shortages occurring or anticipated, however, 17 per cent indicated moderate shortages, 14 per cent report impending shortages within the next one to two months and two per cent are experiencing severe shortages.
Most producers are not currently concerned about water quality but can have their water sources tested by visiting their local regional office.
Crop damage provincially is led by bertha armyworms, but damage and spraying are generally limited to the central and northern regions. Grasshoppers have also started to make their presence known over the past week.
Crop lodging, due to wind damage, was reported across the province along with hail damage in isolated areas. There was localized flooding reported in the southern part of the province due to heavy and fast rainfall last week.
Masich added that the Moose Jaw area is in line with the rest of the province when it comes to the sources of crop damage over the past week.
“All the rainfall that they've that Southwest has been getting in the last few weeks, not necessarily this last week, but in the weeks leading up to it, there's been a lot of rainfall that so that's caused some crops to lodge which might make harvesting some cereal crops, for example, a little more tricky,” he said.
“There's also pockets of grasshopper activity in parts of the Southwest, not widespread by any means, which have caused a little bit of crop damage here and there.”
He added that hot and dry conditions that are set to persist through to next week will likely see rapid progress be made.
“That should clear up any environmental concerns and allow producers to get out in the field and get the crop off.”
Harvest is a very busy and stressful time for producers, and they are reminded to take safety precautions in their work this fall. This includes having fire mitigation resources 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 exercise caution when encountering machinery and equipment travelling on roadways.