EAST CENTRAL — Despite cool and wet weather, producers were able to make some harvest progress this week according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Aug. 20 to 26 crop report.
Six per cent of the crop is now combined, which is up from two per cent last week, but behind the five-year (2014-18) average of 16 per cent for this time of year.
Northeastern Saskatchewan
In the northeastern region producers have one per cent of the crop combined, which is up from less than one per cent last week and four per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut. The five-year average for this time of year is four per cent combined. In the coming weeks as crops mature harvest will be general in the region.
The majority of the region received significant rainfall this week; up to 90 millimetres of rain was reported in the Hudson Bay area. The Star City area reported 31 millimetres, the Ridgedale area 57 millimetres, the Nipawin area 56 millimetres, the Lake Lenore area 86 millimetres, the Bruno area 37 millimetres and the Kinistino area 36 millimetres. The Lake Lenore area has received the most precipitation since April 1 (304 millimetres).
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 13 per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate and six per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 12 per cent surplus, 80 per cent adequate, seven per cent short and one per cent very short. Crop District 8B is reporting that 11 per cent of crop land and 16 per cent of hay land and pasture is short to very short topsoil moisture at this time.
Producers indicated strong winds and hail as sources of crop damage this week. Pasture conditions are in the region are rated as two per cent excellent, 62 per cent good, 27 per cent fair and nine per cent poor at this time.
Farmers are busy getting equipment ready for harvest and desiccating crops.
East Central Saskatchewan
Harvest operations are getting underway in the region. Two per cent of the crop is combined, which is up from less than one per cent last week. Four per cent of the crop is either swathed or ready to straight-cut. The five-year average for this time of year is eight per cent combined. General harvest in the region is expected in the coming weeks as crops mature.
Most of the region received rainfall last week that ranged from small amounts to 130 millimetres in the Lipton area. The Rocanville area reported 50 millimetre, the Jedburgh area 30 millimetres, the Kelliher area 65 millimetres, the Kenaston area 79 millimetres and the Stalwart area 88 millimetres. The Lipton area has received the most precipitation since April 1 (412 millimetres).
Across the region, topsoil moisture conditions have greatly improved with the recent rainfall. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 85 per cent adequate, five per cent short and four per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 79 per cent adequate and 13 per cent short and five per cent very short at this time. Crop District 5B is reporting that 17 per cent of cropland and 22 per cent of hay land and pasture is short to very short topsoil moisture at this time – a large improvement in topsoil moisture conditions.
The sources of crop damage this week were strong winds, hail and localized flooding. Across the region, pasture conditions are currently rated as one per cent excellent, 27 per cent good, 54 per cent fair, 14 per cent poor and four per cent very poor at this time. The recent rainfall, though not good for the crops, was beneficial to the pastures.
Producers are getting equipment prepared for harvest, desiccating crops and hauling and bales.
The crop report is provided weekly by the Government of Saskatchewan
