Producers in the southeast are making notable progress with the harvest, now at 65 per cent complete, up from 47 per cent last week and ahead of the five- and 10-year averages of 55 per cent. The Ministry of Agriculture’s latest crop report highlights that producers are busy baling straw, hauling bales, and working on later-seeded crops. Some have finished harvesting and are beginning fall fieldwork. However, concerns are rising about crop quality and the impact of dry conditions as the season advances.
Harvest progress varies by crop: winter cereals, lentils, and field peas are nearly complete. Durum is 88 per cent harvested, barley is 83 per cent, spring wheat and triticale are 67 per cent, oats are 65 per cent, and chickpeas are 81 per cent. Among oilseeds, mustard leads at 83 per cent, with flax at 36 per cent and canola at 35 per cent. Percentages also include crops harvested as feed.
Producers are concerned about crop quality, noting lighter bushel weights and smaller seed sizes. Most lentils are of middle-grade quality (2 CAN), with fewer achieving the highest quality (1 CAN). Compared to the 10-year average, this year’s lentil quality is higher for middle grade but lower for the highest grade. Durum wheat quality is spread across various grades, with most falling in the middle grade (2 CW). Historically, durum has had a higher proportion of the highest grade (1 CW). Barley quality shows a slight increase in malt grade but a lower percentage of the highest grade (1 CW) compared to the 10-year average, with more middle-grade barley (2 CW) than usual.
Precipitation in the southeast was minimal over the past week, with most areas receiving 3 mm or less. Topsoil moisture is declining due to low moisture and rising temperatures. Current ratings are: cropland topsoil moisture as two per cent surplus, 53 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short, and eight per cent very short; hayland moisture as one per cent surplus, 38 per cent adequate, 50 per cent short, and 11 per cent very short; pasture topsoil moisture as one per cent surplus, 35 per cent adequate, 52 per cent short, and 12 per cent very short.
The region urgently needs significant precipitation to replenish soil moisture levels and improve pasture conditions. Recent crop damage has been primarily due to wind and migratory birds, with increased grasshopper pressure noted, though overall crop damage remains limited.