Wet and cool weather is continuing to frustrate the harvest efforts of Saskatchewan producers.
The latest weekly crop report on Thursday pegged the overall harvest in the province at 11% complete as of Monday, up just 5 points on the week and 17 points behind the five-year average. Last year at this time, 39% of the Saskatchewan crop was already in the bin. A further 16% of this year’s crop was swathed or ready to straight combine as of Monday, also behind last year and the average.
The majority of the province received rainfall last week, the report said, ranging from trace amounts to 45 mm in the Lampman area. Across the province, topsoil moisture conditions on cropland were rated as 8% surplus, 81% adequate, 10% short and 1% very short as of Monday, compared to 7% surplus, 78% adequate, 12% short and 3% very short a week earlier.
Most crop damage this past week was due to localized flooding, strong winds, light frost and hail. There have been some reports of crops bleaching and sprouting in areas with excess moisture.
Harvest is most advanced in the southwest region, where 20% of the crop was combined as of Monday. The southeast region had 16% combined, the west-central region 7% and the northwest 6%. The northeast region had 4% combined while the east-central region had 3% combined.
An estimated 75% of fall rye, 64% of winter wheat, 47% of field peas, 39% of lentils, 12% of barley, 5% of durum, 4% of spring wheat and 1% of canola was harvested as of Monday. An additional 19% of the canola was swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Southeast:
Despite heavy rainfall and wet field conditions, producers continue to harvest crops as they’re able to get into the field. Sixteen per cent of the crop is now in the bin, up from 12 per cent last week but well behind the five-year (2014-2018) average of 40 per cent for this time of year. An additional 19 per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut. Many weeks of warm and dry weather are needed for fields to dry up and for harvest to continue.
Much of the region received frequent bouts of rain last week that has left standing water in some fields. Rainfall in the region ranged from small amounts to 45 mm in the Lampman area. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 13 per cent surplus, 77 per cent adequate, nine per cent short and one per cent very short.
The majority of crop damage this past week was due to localized flooding, strong winds and hail. There have been many reports of crops sprouting and bleaching due to excess moisture and downgrading is expected at the elevator. Some producers have also indicated that grasshopper numbers are quite high and that geese and other water fowl are damaging swathed crops.
Southwest:
With 20 per cent of the crop now combined, producers in the southwest continue to harvest in between rain showers. This progress is up from 12 per cent last week but remains well behind the five-year (2014-2018) average of 43 per cent for this time of year. An additional 15 per cent of the crop is now swathed or ready to straight-cut. A good stretch of warm and dry weather is needed for harvest to continue.
Rainfall in the region ranged from trace amounts to 27 mm in the Big Beaver area. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as seven per cent surplus, 87 per cent adequate and six per cent short.
Most crop damage this past week was due to hail and strong winds. With the recent moisture, some crops have bleached, stained and sprouted and downgrading is expected at the elevator. Geese and other water fowl continue to feed on swathed crops.
East-Central:
Very little harvest progress was made last week thanks to wet and cool conditions. Three per cent of the crop is in the bin, up from two per cent last week and remaining well behind the five-year (2014-2018) average of 19 per cent for this time of year. An additional 14 per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut. The region will need several weeks of warm and dry weather to help crops mature and for harvesting to continue.
Heavy rainfall was received in much of the region last week, ranging from small amounts to 42 mm in the Rhein area. Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as eight per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate, seven per cent short and one per cent very short.
The majority of crop damage this past week was due to localized flooding, frost and strong winds. There have been several reports of crops bleaching, staining and sprouting due to the excess moisture and downgrading is expected at the elevator. Geese and other water fowl are also damaging swathed crops.
West-Central:
Harvest progress continues in the region despite recent rain showers. Seven per cent of the crop is now combined, up from three per cent last week but remains well behind the five-year (2014-2018) average of 22 per cent for this time of year. An additional 19 per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut. The region will need a good stretch of warm and dry weather in order for harvest to continue.
Rainfall last week ranged from trace amounts to 41 mm in the Phippen area. Topsoil moisture conditions have improved thanks to the recent rainfall. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 78 per cent adequate, 19 per cent short and two per cent very short.
Localized flooding and strong winds caused the majority of crop damage this past week. However, there are reports of sprouting, bleaching and staining and downgrading is expected at the elevator.
Northeast:
The northeastern region now has four per cent of the crop in the bin, up from one per cent last week but behind the five-year (2014-2018) average of nine per cent for this time of year. An additional 11 per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut. Warm and dry weather is needed for crops to mature and for fields to dry up.
Much of the region received rain last week, ranging from small amounts to 31 mm in the Garrick area. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 19 per cent surplus and 81 per cent adequate.
The majority of crop damage this past week was due to localized flooding, hail, frost and strong winds. Some barley crops are coming off tough with quality concerns from sprouting.
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