NORTH BATTLEFORD - Harvest has not started in the northwest but crops have begun to turn and some will be ready for swathing or desiccating in the next seven-10 days. Rain still has the potential to help later seeded crops fill with seed and producers are hopeful they receive a little more before crops completely dry down. Producers are positive about their potential crop yields, stating they appear to be up from last year.
Rainfall in the northwest region ranged from nil to 51 mm in the Nielburg area, the Glaslyn area received 41 mm, the Duck Lake and Mayfair areas 37 mm and the Livelong area 24 mm. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 77 per cent adequate, 21 per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate, 17 per cent short and one per cent very short.
Pastures in the region benefited greatly from early season moisture and regular rainfall through the spring and their conditions have improved since last year. They are rated as 19 per cent excellent, 40 per cent good, 38 per cent fair and three per cent poor.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to heavy rains and strong winds causing some crops to lodge, there was some minor hail damage as well. Producers are worried that either a severe hailstorm or an early frost will get to their crops before they are able to harvest.
