Scattered showers caused minor delays but Saskatchewan producers still managed to make good headway this past week on what will be a drought-reduced harvest.
According to the latest weekly crop report on Thursday, 7% of the provincewide crop was in the bin as of Monday, up from 3% a week earlier and well ahead of the five-year average of 1%. An additional 6% of the crop was ready to straight combine as of Monday, versus the average of 2%. Last year at this time, just 1% of the Saskatchewan crop was off.
Harvest is most advanced in the southwest region at 12% complete, followed by the southeast at 8%, the west-central at 7% and the east-central at 4%. Producers in the northern regions have a little more than 1% of the crop combined.
An estimated 54% of the provincial winter wheat, 51% of the fall rye, 37% of the field peas and 29% of lentils were harvested as of Monday.
Much of the province received small amounts of rain this week, with parts of the northern, west-central and southeast regions receiving half an inch to an inch. The Lipton area received the most rainfall with 37 mm. The showers did little to offset the ongoing drought but there was a slight increase in topsoil moisture conditions. Cropland topsoil moisture was rated as 6% adequate, 32% short and 62% very short as of Monday. That compares to 3% adequate, 31% short and 66% very short a week earlier.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to wind, drought stress, heat, wildlife, grasshoppers and flea beetles. There have also been isolated reports of hail.
Southeast:
Harvest is well underway in the region, with some producers starting to combine and many more desiccating. Currently, eight per cent of the crop is combined and seven per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut. The five-year average (2016-2020) for this time of year is two per cent of the crop combined and three per cent of the crop swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Thirty-eight per cent of the fall rye, 48 per cent of the winter wheat, 63 per cent of the field peas, 15 per cent of the barley and 35 per cent of the lentils are now in the bin.
There were scattered rain showers throughout the region this week, ranging from a couple millimeters to over an inch in some areas. Moisture conditions slightly improved due to showers across the region throughout the previous week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 17 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and 36 per cent very short.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to wind, dry conditions and localized reports of hail. There were also reports of grasshoppers damaging crops.
Southwest:
12 per cent of the crop has been combined and another eight per cent is ready to be straight-cut in the region. The five-year average (2016-2020) for this time of year is three per cent of the crop combined and four per cent of the crop swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Fifty-one per cent of the fall rye, 50 per cent of the field peas, eleven per cent of the barley and 27 per cent of the lentils are now combined.
Rainfall was received in the southern half of the region this week, ranging from nil to 15 mm in the Rockglen and Big Beaver areas. The scattered rain showers across the region did little to improve the topsoil moisture conditions in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent adequate, 28 per cent short and 68 per cent very short.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to heat, drought stress, wind and grasshoppers.
East-Central:
Crops continue to rapidly dry down in the region, with some farmers beginning harvest operations. Four per cent of the crop has been combined at this time and six per cent has been swathed or is ready to straight-cut. Producers have reported that the heat and dry conditions have resulted in some crops ripening prematurely and not filling properly resulting in lower yields than normal.
Seventy-five per cent of the fall rye, 38 per cent of the winter wheat, 34 per cent of the field peas and 32 per cent of the lentils are now in the bin.
There were scattered rainfall in the east-central region this week resulting in some areas receiving over an inch. The area around Lipton received the highest amount of rain in the region this week with 36 mm.
Topsoil moisture conditions have slightly improved in the region due to recent rainfall. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent adequate, 30 per cent short and 64 per cent very short.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to wind, drought stress, grasshoppers and flea beetles feeding on green crops.
West-Central:
Harvest operations are progressing nicely in the region with seven per cent of the crop combined and ten per cent swathed or is ready to straight-cut. Many producers are still desiccating their crops and they will be ready to combine shortly. Several poor yielding fields in the region have been cut for greenfeed instead of being harvested for grain.
Fifty per cent of the fall rye, 94 per cent of the winter wheat, 22 per cent of the field peas and 30 per cent of the lentils have been combined.
Very small amounts of rain were received throughout most of the west-central region this week. The Central Butte and Luseland areas received the most rain in the region with five mm.
There was a slight improvement in topsoil moisture conditions in the. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent adequate, 16 per cent short and 83 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent adequate, 12 per cent short and 86 per cent very short. Some rain and cooler conditions would be welcome to support crops during the grain filling stages.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to heat, wind and dry conditions. There were also reports of localized hail. Pastures are suffering due to hot, dry conditions and some are becoming incapable of supporting cattle, forcing producers to either move them or haul bales.
Northeast:
Crops are rapidly advancing in the region again this week. The warm temperatures have helped crops progress and some crops are starting to turn colour earlier than usual. Producers have started to swath and combine winter cereals in the region. Swathing and desiccating of other crops is expected to start within the next week.
Small amounts of rain were received throughout most of the northeast region. The Hudson Bay area received the highest amount of rainfall in the region this week with 25 mm. Topsoil moisture conditions have slightly improved in the area, with more land being rated as adequate. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and 56 per cent very short.
There were some reports of crop damage this past week caused by winds, drought stress and lygus bug in canola which is being sprayed.
Northwest:
Crop development has continued to progress in the region this week. Producers are busy prepping for harvest and will likely be out combining within the next week or two. Although the region received more rainfall than others, the crops in the north west have struggled all season long under poor growing conditions brought on by dry conditions.
Most of the northwest region received rain this week, with many areas receiving half of an inch. Moisture conditions remained relatively stable in the region this week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 55 per cent very short.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to wind, heat and localized reports of hail. There was also damage caused by bertha armyworms and grasshoppers in the region but it is likely too late to spray to control these pests.
Click here to see more...