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Significant progress was made by Saskatchewan producers over the past week. While some areas experienced rain delays, a total of 41 per cent of this year’s crop is now currently in the bin, up from 23 per cent last week.
Despite considerable progress — fueled by mostly dry weather in the province — producers still lag behind the five-year average of 58 per cent and the 10-year average of 49 per cent. Those same hot and dry conditions that sped progress along are also causing significant risk of combine and equipment fires, and producers are also closely monitoring stored grain as there are concerns about bin heating due to high temperatures at the time of combining.
The southwest region is furthest along for harvest progress at 55 per cent complete, followed by the southeast which is at the half-way point at 50 per cent. Northwestern producers have 41 per cent of their crops off the field as of the most recent update. Meanwhile, the east-central region sits at 31 per cent and the west-central and northeast regions both sit at 27 per cent.
Harvest is nearly complete for winter cereals and field peas, and 84 per cent of lentils are in the bin provincewide. Progress has been steady for other crops as well; 64 per cent of triticale has been harvested, barley sits at 54 per cent complete, durum is at 49 per cent, 35 per cent of spring wheat and oats are in the bin, and canary seed harvest takes up the rear at 11 per cent.
Additionally, an estimated 24 per cent of the chickpea harvest has been completed. Oilseed crops are also progressing, albeit slower than other crops, with mustard leading the pack at 27 per cent, followed by canola and flax at 12 and three per cent harvested, respectively.
The wide variety of growing conditions experienced over the season has led to varying yield estimates for crops of all types in the province. This variance has also seen on a field-to-field basis due to largely inconsistent and scattered rainfall. That being said, the estimated provincial averages are as follows:
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50 bu/acre for hard red spring wheat;
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38 bu/acre for durum;
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93 bu/acre for oats;
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71 bu/acre for barley;
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39 bu/acre for canola;
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42 bu/acre for field peas and;
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1,784 lb/acre for lentils.
It is noted that provincial crop yields have been negatively impacted in many regions due to dry conditions during the growing season. That impact is being seen in the southwest — in which Moose Jaw is situated — in the current estimated regional yields:
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36 bu/acre for hard red spring wheat;
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29 bu/acre for durum;
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53 bu/acre for barley;
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29 bu/acre for canola;
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32 bu/acre for field peas and;
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1,593 lbs/acre for lentils.
The highest yield totals are estimated in the east-central, west-central and northeast regions. The lowest estimates can be found in the southwest and northwest regions, driven primarily by low moisture during crucial stages of crop development.
A majority of the province received little to no moisture during the latest reporting period. However, Foam Lake reported 30mm of precipitation, 26 and 20mm landed in the Lipton and Langenburg areas, respectively. Both Raymore and Porcupine Plain recorded 18mm of precipitation.
Minimal precipitation has resulted in a continued drop in topsoil moisture levels. Cropland moisture levels are currently reported as two per cent surplus, 58 per cent adequate, 33 per cent short, and seven per cent very short. Hayland is rated at two per cent surplus, 48 per cent adequate, 36 per cent short, and 14 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is rated at three per cent surplus, 45 per cent adequate, 34 per cent short, and 18 per cent very short. Producers are now expressing a significant need for precipitation after harvest wraps up to replenish both top and subsoil levels, as well as to improve pasture conditions.
Wind, frost and dry conditions were the primary drivers of crop damage provincially. Additionally, grasshoppers have been reported in higher numbers in some areas, with the effect being minor to moderate crop damage.
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.