Harvest progress in Saskatchewan remains slow-going due to heavy thunderstorms in some areas, according to the provincial crop report released Thursday morning.
Rainfall and humid conditions stalled combining in other areas, the report says, as progress is behind the five- and ten-year averages with 12 per cent of the crop off.
The southwest is ahead at 23 per cent, the southeast is at 14 per cent complete, the east-central 11 per cent, west-central six per cent and only a few producers in the northeast (three per cent) and the northwest (two per cent) have started harvest.
Tyce Masich, Crops Extension Specialist with the Ministry of Agriculture out of the Outlook regional office, says producers are usually 25 per cent of the way through harvest at this point.
Winter cereal and pulse crops are the main focus for farmers. Winter wheat is the furthest ahead at 70 per cent harvested and fall rye at 66 per cent. For pulses, peas are 45 per cent harvested and lentils 35 per cent. For spring cereals, triticale is 42 per cent combined, barley 17 per cent, and durum 13 per cent. The first acres of spring wheat, oats, and chickpeas are coming off, according to the crop report, but it's minimal.
Masich says crop reporters were asked to cover grades of winter wheat and fall rye.
"Provincially, winter wheat grades are 23 per cent 1 Canada Western (CW), 65 per cent 2 CW, 11 per cent 3 CW and one per cent CW Feed. Winter wheat quality this year is lower than the 10-year average of 54 per cent 1 CW, 32 per cent 2 CW, nine per cent 3 CW, and five per cent CW Feed. For fall rye, grades are 30 per cent 1 CW, 56 per cent 2 CW, 13 per cent 3 CW and one per cent sample. Like winter wheat, fall rye quality this year is lower than the 10-year average of 52 per cent 1 CW, 39 per cent 2 CW, eight per cent 3 CW and one per cent sample." states the report.
Thunderstorms went through most of the northern grain belt. The Nipawin area had the most rainfall with 42 millimetres, followed by the North Battleford area with 30 mm, and Consul 28 mm. There was noticeable damage from strong wind and hail in areas that had thunderstorms as claims continue to be made in affected areas.
While Bertha army worms caused the most crop damage this past week, compared to other factors such as grasshoppers and wildlife, it was fairly minor as farmers sprayed where needed. Hot temperatures with dry conditions in other areas caused minor damage to later-seeded crops that have not reached maturity yet.
Topsoil moisture levels remained very adequate. Crop land moisture is three per cent surplus, 77 per cent adequate, 18 per cent short, and two per cent very short. Hay land moisture is three per cent surplus, 66 per cent adequate, 27 per cent short and four per cent very short. Pasture land moisture is three per cent surplus, 60 per cent adequate, 31 per cent short and six per cent very short.
The crop report also noted rain and high soil moisture over the last few weeks improved pasture conditions in many areas as "five per cent of pastures are in excellent condition, 43 per cent are good, 38 per cent are fair, 12 per cent are poor and two per cent are in very poor condition."
Drivers are reminded again to be patient and cautious when around large equipment on the road, and farmers are reminded to take precautions to reduce the risk of fire and injury.
