Producers had to fight against rain over September 22 and 23 to continue making progress with harvesting.
According to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s crop report for September 20 to 26, producers were still able to make some progress, with 70 per cent of the 2016 crop combined and 22 per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut.
This total is slightly below the five-year (2011-2015) average for this time of year, which is 79 per cent combined.
Regionally, the southwest is furthest advanced in the harvest, where producers have 79 per cent of the crop in the bin. Compared to 70 per cent of the crop combined in the southeast, 61 per cent in the east-central region, 65 per cent in the west-central region and northeastern regions and 64 per cent in the northwest. Some producers in the southern regions have managed to complete harvest.
By crop, 98 per cent of the field peas, 93 per cent of the lentils, 68 per cent of the durum, 67 per cent of the spring wheat, 61 per cent of the canola and 20 per cent of the flax have been combined.
Rain was steady throughout the province, but areas in the west-central and northwestern regions received less precipitation than other areas. Most producers reported receiving at least 25 mm of rain or more for their areas. The greatest amount of rainfall was reported in the Moosomin area, with a total rainfall of 63 millimetres. Other areas included Carnduff, 56 millimetres; Limerick, 38 millimetres; Webb, 30 millimetres; Foam Lake, 51 millimetres; Bethune, 42 millimetres; Nipawin, 33 millimetres; Biggar, 13 millimetres; and Meadow Lake, 9 millimetres.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 17 per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate and two per cent short across the province. The recent rain slowed the province due to the fact that topsoil was not quite dry enough to support equipment, and now is even wetter. Areas around Porcupine Plain, Tisdale and Arborfield are reporting that 49 per cent of cropland acres have surplus moisture at this time. Areas around Canora, Preeceville and Foam Lake have producers reporting that 36 per cent of cropland acres have surplus moisture at this time. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as seven per cent surplus, 87 per cent adequate and six per cent short.
Canola swaths were blown about by strong winds and caused major losses for some producers. Standing water from the recent rain also caused some crop damage, while bleaching, sprouting, fusarium and earth tag are causing grade loss.
Producers continue harvesting, hauling bales and controlling weeds.
A complete, printable version of Crop Report is available online at the Government of Saskatchewan website, and updates can be found on Twitter at @SKAgriculture.
