PREECEVILLE - A dry week in the east-central region has given producers a chance to combine their fields with minimal interruptions, according to the crop report for the period of September 19 to 25. The region is now 82 per cent complete harvest, an increase of 16 per cent over last week. The region is ahead of the five-year average of 64 per cent.
Fall cereals, durum, mustard, peas and lentils are completed for the year. Producers are working on the few remaining acres of spring wheat and barley at 94 per cent complete, oats at 89 per cent completed and canary seed at 87 per cent completed. Producers are waiting for their canola at 66 per cent complete, flax at 57 per cent complete and soybeans at 42 per cent complete to finish maturing.
Minimal rainfall was received in the region this week, with Esterhazy recording the most at two mm. Soil moisture in the region is starting to become short. In cropland, 29 per cent has adequate moisture, 53 per cent is short and 19 per cent is very short. Twenty per cent of hay and pastures have adequate moisture, 50 per cent are short and 30 per cent are very short. Livestock producers are anticipating water supply shortages for their animals this fall, with many of them also concerned about their water quality.
Crop damage this past week is due to wind damage and drought conditions, with grasshopper numbers in the region reported to be decreasing. Producers are busy combining and marketing grain. Producers are also hauling water and feed for their animals and preparing for fall and winter.
