The Ministry of Agriculture’s most recent crop report shows that harvest has begun for producers in the southeast, with hot temperatures and limited rainfall causing crops to mature rapidly.
Harvest is currently 11 per cent complete in the southeast, which is about the six per cent provincial average. Harvest progress in this region is also ahead of the four per cent five-year average and five per cent 10-year average.
Fall rye is leading the harvest progress, with 64 per cent now in the bin. Winter wheat progress is significantly behind fall rye, with 18 per cent combined so far.
Producers are progressing with pulse crops, with 41 per cent of field pea, 31 per cent of chickpea and 29 per cent of lentil crops harvested.
Durum is leading the way for spring-seeded cereal crops, as 18 per cent of durum harvest is complete, followed by oats at 12 per cent and barley at 10 per cent.
Few oilseed acres have been harvested, with merely one per cent of canola harvest complete; however, progress is expected to excel in the coming weeks.
Little rainfall was seen in the southeast during the last week, with minimal showers taking place. Carnduff received the most rain in the area with 27 mm. The lack of moisture continues to affect cropland topsoil moisture, which currently sits at 29 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 27 per cent very short.
Hayland topsoil moisture is at 21 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 31 per cent very short. Meanwhile, pasture topsoil moisture is rated at 21 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and 39 per cent very short.
The recent dry conditions have also impacted livestock water supplies, with concerns coming from producers about algae blooms in water sources. Shortages have been reported within 34 per cent of livestock water sources; 17 per cent of sources are estimated to be short within the next couple of months, and 49 per cent are not expected to be short. Seventeen per cent of livestock producers in the area reported concerns about water shortages, with 83 per cent not concerned.
Some producers experienced crop damage in the region over the last week due to a lack of moisture and heat. Wind, sclerotinia and grasshoppers were also reported last week.