WEYBURN -- Great harvest progress was made in the southeast region in the last week thanks to favourable conditions. Currently, twenty-two per cent of the crop has been combined, up from eight per cent last week and far ahead of the five-year average (2016-2020) for this time of year of seven per cent. Seventeen per cent of the crops in the region have been swathed or are ready to straight cut, with the five-year average (2016-2020) being ten per cent.
Yields across the region vary greatly with many producers seeing yields lower than anticipated while those who got good rains are realizing yields closer to average.
Eighty per cent of the winter wheat, 59 per cent of the fall rye, 76 per cent of the field peas, 91 per cent of the lentils and 28 per cent of the barley are now combined. Additionally, two per cent of the canola has been combined and 21 per cent is swathed or ready to be straight cut. Some of the barley and oat crops are being harvested for greenfeed.
Parts of the southeast region, specifically in the eastern areas, received rain this past week. Areas around Moosomin received the most rain in the province with 10 mm. The Broadview area received four mm, the Regina area three mm and the Wilcox area two mm. This rainfall will delay some producers but they will be back in their fields once conditions are favourable.
Topsoil moisture conditions have deteriorated in the region this week, even though some areas saw rain. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 12 per cent adequate, 29 per cent short and 59 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent adequate, 24 per cent short and 70 per cent very short.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to wind, lack of moisture, heat and grasshoppers. There were reports of flea beetle and hail damage in the region as well.
Producers are busy getting equipment ready, desiccating and swathing crops and combining throughout the majority of the region. Some producers have completed their harvest operations for the year.
