After multiple weeks of delay, many producers were able to return to the field and complete harvest. Thanks to warm and dry weather last week, producers now have 92 per cent of the 2018 crop harvested, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report. This is up from 82 per cent last week, but slightly behind the five-year (2013-2017) average of 94 per cent for this time of year. While many producers have wrapped up harvest or expect to in the coming days, the rest will need at least another week or more of warm and dry weather.
Harvest is most advanced in the southwestern region, where 97 per cent of the crop is now combined. The southeastern and northeastern regions have 95 per cent combined, the west-central region 90 per cent and the east-central region 89 per cent. The northwest has made tremendous progress this past week and now has 82 per cent combined.
Ninety-six per cent of the barley and mustard, 94 per cent of the durum, 92 per cent of the spring wheat, 90 per cent of the canola, 80 per cent of the flax and 73 per cent of the soybeans have now been combined. Crops continue to come off tough in many areas and are being placed in dryers when available.
Little to no rainfall was reported across the province. Topsoil moisture conditions are relatively unchanged over the last few weeks. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 65 per cent adequate, 28 per cent short and five per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 56 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and eight per cent very short.
The majority of crop damage this past week was due to lodging, bleaching and sprouting. Geese and other wildlife continue to feed on swathed crops, while some standing crops have shelled out. Producers are completing fall work such as putting down fertilizer, working fields, fixing fences and hauling bales.
Crop Report October 16 to 22, 2018