Producers in the southeast have made considerable harvest progress with nearly half of all crops already in the bin, above the province’s average for this time of year.
According to the latest crop report from the Ministry of Agriculture, harvest is 47 per cent complete. This is ahead of the five year average of 36 per cent, and the 10-year average of 40 per cent.
Producers are busy combining, swathing, baling straw, hauling bales, and monitoring bins for heating.
While some moisture was recorded in the region, the risk of fire remains elevated.
In the southeast, winter cereals and some pulse crops are nearing harvest completion. Winter wheat is 94 per cent harvested, fall rye is 95 per cent harvested, field peas are 98 per cent harvested, and lentils are 92 per cent harvested.
The harvest is 69 per cent complete for barley, 68 per cent for durum, 63 per cent for oats, and 39 per cent for spring wheat, while canary seed sits at 49 per cent complete.
Mustard is the most advanced of the oilseed crops, followed by canola at 21 per cent and flax at 19 per cent harvested.
The reported percentages include crops harvested for feed. Crop yield estimates varied across the region, with some areas reporting lower yields, while others saw average to above-average yields.
Overall, producers said the hot, dry conditions experienced throughout the growing season affected the yield and quality of various crops.
Producers estimated yields at 45 bushels per acre for hard red spring wheat, 32 bushels per acre for durum, 79 bushels per acre for oats, 63 bushels per acre for barley, 30 bushels per acre for canola, 32 bushels per acre for field peas, and 1,199 pounds per acre for lentils.
Varying amounts of rainfall were recorded this week, with some areas reporting no rainfall.
Topsoil moisture levels dropped within the region this week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated at one per cent surplus, 64 per cent adequate, 29 per cent short, and six per cent very short.
Hayland topsoil moisture is rated at one per cent surplus, 52 per cent adequate, 38 per cent short, and nine per cent very short.
Pasture topsoil moisture is rated at 44 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short, and 12 per cent very short.
Producers are hoping for rain after the harvest to replenish soil moisture, support pasture growth, and reduce fire risks heading into the fall.
Crop damage over the past week was largely due to wind. Minor damage was reported from migratory birds and grasshoppers.