Saskatchewan producers made little harvest progress this past week, as rain idled combines across the province.
Thursday’s weekly crop report showed the overall provincial harvest at 79% complete as of Monday, up just 5 points from the previous week although still ahead of the five- and 10-year averages of 75% and 69%. Last year, an estimated 91% of the Saskatchewan crop was in the bin.
“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,” the report said.
Rain has now limited harvest progress in the province for the past two weeks.
The highest amounts of rainfall this past week were mainly recorded in the southwest region. The Gouldtown area recorded 100 mm, followed by the Richmound and Eston areas at 82 mm and 81 mm, respectively. Additionally, the Neidpath area received 78 mm and the Admiral area received 75 mm.
Cropland topsoil moisture was rated as 64% adequate, 32% short and 4% very short as of Monday, versus 1% surplus, 41% adequate, 37% short, and 21% very short a week earlier.
The southwest region is nearing harvest completion with 96% of crops in the bin as of Monday. The southeast region was 83% done. The east-central and west-central regions were at 75% and 70% complete, respectively. The northeast and northwest regions both were at 65% complete.
Durum leads in harvest progress for spring-seeded cereal crops at 95% complete, followed by barley at 91% and spring wheat at 85%. Oats sit at 75% complete and canary seed at 68%. Harvest is nearing completion for chickpeas at 93%. For oilseed crops, mustard is 93% harvested followed by canola at 56%. Flax and soybeans are the furthest behind in harvest completion at 42% and 32% complete, respectively.
As producers evaluate livestock water supplies moving into the fall, 59% indicate there are no shortages occurring or anticipated with 31% indicating they have moderate shortages. Additionally, 85% of producers reported no concerns about water quality for their livestock. Producers in the southwest and west-central regions of the province are expressing higher concerns about livestock water shortages and reduced water quality.
Southeast:
Despite precipitation causing harvest delays over the past week, harvest has progressed to 83 per cent complete within the region. This is up from the 77 per cent reported last week. This is ahead of the five-year average of 77 per cent and the 10-year average of 76 per cent. As producers work to complete harvest within the region, they are also busy with spraying for fall weed control, harrowing, baling, hauling bales, cleaning corrals and fencing. Additionally, some producers have started their winter cereal seeding operations.
Rain fell throughout the region over the past week. The highest rainfall recorded fell in the Whitewood area at 69 mm followed by the Belle Plaine area at 62 mm. The Strasbourg and Saltcoats areas both received 52 mm and the Regina area received 50 mm.
The recent moisture has helped improve topsoil moisture conditions and green up pastures within the region. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 75 per cent adequate, 22 per cent short and two per cent very short
Southwest:
Rainfall over the past week caused significant delays to harvest, but many within the region welcomed the moisture to help alleviate major shortages in topsoil moisture and green up pastures for fall grazing. Currently, 96 per cent of harvest is complete which is only slightly up from the 95 per cent reported last week. This is ahead of the five-year average of 89 per cent and the 10-year average of 84 per cent.
Widespread precipitation fell within the region with many areas receiving significant amounts over the past week. The highest rainfall recorded fell in the Gouldtown area at 100 mm followed by the Richmound and Eston areas at 82 mm and 81 mm, respectively. The Neidpath area received 78 mm and the Admiral and Shaunavon areas both received 75 mm.
The recent precipitation has substantially improved pastures and topsoil moisture conditions within the region. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 49 per cent adequate, 46 per cent short and five per cent very short.
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