While there was plenty of rainfall in several regions in Saskatchewan for the week of Sept. 17 through Sept. 23, the crop report shows a completion rate remaining above both the five-year average (75 per cent) and ten-year average (69 per cent), currently sitting at 79 per cent.
Megan Rosso, Crops Extension Specialist at the Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Moose Jaw said that producers in many regions are hoping for drier conditions to help finish harvest.
“Although the moisture has helped replenish topsoil moisture conditions and green up pastures for fall grazing, it has also caused concerns for downgrading of crop quality in areas yet to be harvested.”
In the area around Moose Jaw, harvest is 93 per cent complete, with the southwest region as a whole reporting a completion rate of 96 per cent.
Crops that have been fully harvested in Saskatchewan include field peas, triticale, and winter wheat, with lentils and fall rye not far away from harvest completion.
“Durum leads in harvest progress for spring-seeded cereal crops at 95 per cent complete, followed by barley at 91 per cent, and spring wheat at 85 per cent," added Rosso.
Chickpeas sit at 93 per cent completion, and for oilseed crops, mustard leads the way at 93 per cent with canola trailing at 56 per cent.
The crops that are furthest from completion include flax (42 per cent) and soybeans (32 per cent)
With the influx of moisture, Saskatchewan’s cropland topsoil moisture is 64 per cent adequate, 32 per cent short, and four per cent very short, while hayland conditions are 60 per cent adequate, 33 per cent short, and seven per cent very short, and pasture topsoil is 53 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short, and 10 per cent very short.
“Producers are hopeful for additional moisture following harvest to assist with replenishing topsoil moisture conditions for next year.”
When it comes to livestock water, 59 per cent of producers are reporting that they don’t have or anticipate shortages, and 31 per cent say they have only moderate shortages. Concerns about potential livestock water shortages and quality are most prevalent for southwest and west-central producers.