Producers have made significant harvest progress, due in large part to the warm and dry weather, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Weekly Crop Report.
Sixty-five per cent of the crop is now combined, up from 45 per cent last week, which is well ahead of the five year (2012-2016) average of 40 per cent combined for this time of year. Twenty-two per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Harvest is most advanced in the southwestern region, where 86 per cent of the crop is now combined. The southeastern region has 76 per cent combined, the west-central region 66 per cent and the east-central region 57 per cent. The northeastern region has 37 per cent combined, while the northwestern region has 35 per cent combined. Some producers have wrapped up harvest operations and many more expect to be finished in the coming weeks.
Ninety-eight per cent of lentils, 95 per cent of field peas, 82 per cent of mustard, 81 per cent of durum, 71 per cent of barley, 63 per cent of spring wheat, 50 per cent of canola and 20 per cent of flax have now been combined. Thirty-nine per cent of canola is swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Durum grades are being reported as 69 per cent 1 CWAD, 28 per cent 2 CWAD and three per cent 3 CWAD.
Pea grades are 47 per cent 1 CAN, 49 per cent 2 CAN and four per cent 3 CAN. Lentil grades are 37 per cent 1 CAN, 57 per cent 2 CAN, five per cent 3 CAN and one per cent Sample grade. Minimal disease issues have occurred so far, although there are some lighter bushel weights being reported.
The majority of the province received no rainfall last week, although the Unity and Neilburg areas both reported receiving five mm. Topsoil moisture conditions continue to worsen with the warm and windy weather. Across the province, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 15 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and 46 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 11 per cent adequate, 34 per cent short and 55 per cent very short.
With the dry field conditions, many producers have indicated that winter cereals may not be seeded this fall. Lack of moisture continues to cause crop damage, while strong winds have blown swaths around and shelled-out standing crops. There are many reports of combine and grass fires due to the extremely dry conditions. Some areas in the north reported frost and producers are assessing damage.
SaskPower has received nine reports of farm machinery coming in contact with power lines since September 1, bringing the total since August 1 to 33. Producers are urged to be extremely careful when using equipment around power lines. Safety information is available at www.saskpower.com/safety.
For a complete copy of the Crop Report, please visit http://www.publications.gov.sk.ca/redirect.cfm?p=87156&i=101803.
Follow the 2017 Crop Report on Twitter at @SKAgriculture.
