Producers in the southeast are busy harvesting, desiccating and swathing, with 21 percent of the crop now in the bin so far.
According to the weekly Crop Report from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture for the week of August 13th to 19th, this progress is in spite of some rain delays, and is ahead of the five-year average of 11 percent and 10-year average of 14 percent for the southeast region.
Large variations in harvest progress are reported between census divisions given the differences in moisture conditions experienced throughout the growing season. Many producers are hopeful for rain following harvest to help replenish soil moisture conditions.
Rainfall was variable throughout the region with widely scattered storms reported, producing heavy rain, high winds and hail in some areas. The highest rainfall recorded fell in the Craven and Strasbourg areas, which reported 69 mm and 66 mm respectively. The Odessa area received 32 mm over the past week, and the Creelman area received 14 mm.
Topsoil moisture continues to fall short within the region. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is 33 percent adequate, 37 percent short, and 30 percent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is 25 percent adequate, 40 percent short, and 35 percent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 17 percent adequate, 42 percent short and 41 percent very short.
The persistent hot and drier conditions have led pasture conditions to diminish within the region, but recent rains may help improve conditions in some areas. Currently, 18 percent of pastures are in good condition, 23 percent are fair, 49 percent are poor, and 10 percent are very poor.
Within the southeast region, 88 percent of fall rye has been harvested as well as 51 percent of winter wheat. For spring seeded cereal crops, 32 percent of both durum and oats are harvested, 29 percent of barley, followed by only eight percent of spring wheat harvested. For pulse crops within the region, 66 percent of field peas are harvested followed by 49 percent of lentils and 25 percent of chickpeas. Mustard is ahead in harvest completion for oilseeds with 31 percent in the bin. Currently, canola sits at four percent harvested within the region. Harvest percentages reported include the percentage of crop harvested as feed.
Regionally, 40 percent of the fall rye is reported at 1 CW and 60 percent 2 CW. Winter wheat grade quality is reported at 39 percent 1 CW, 54 percent 2 CW, five percent 3 CW, and two percent as feed.
Crop damage over the past week was mainly due to the impacts from the lack of moisture combined with the increased temperatures. Wind also caused crop lodging within the region along with isolated areas reporting up to severe hail damage. Grasshoppers continue to persist in the drier areas within the region as well. As canola matures, sclerotinia stem rot development is still being reported.
Source: Province of Saskatchewan