ESTEVAN - Harvest has not begun as crops are behind their normal development due to late seeding dates and cool rainy weather delaying growth. Any rain now will keep crops from drying up on hot windy days and will allow crops to fill their pods or heads with seed.
Other crops that are still flowering need some warm sunny days to quicken their maturity. Earlier seeded crops are still not ready for harvest, but some are ready for desiccation and producers will be conducting those activities in the coming week. Yield estimates have not been finalized for the region, however many producers are expecting a far better crop in comparison to 2021.
The Briercrest area received 49 mm of rain last week, the Bienfait and Avonlea areas 40 mm and the Glenavon and Odessa areas 20 mm. While this rain has delayed haying operations in the region, it is very good for crops as they carry out seed filling before beginning to ripen for harvest. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as twelve per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate, five per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent surplus, 87 per cent adequate, seven per cent short and one per cent very short.
After receiving early season moisture in the form of snow and rain, along with regular rainfall since April 1, many pastures in the region have greatly improved and are now able to support cattle without issue. Pasture conditions are rated as 41 per cent excellent, 46 per cent good, eleven per cent fair, one per cent poor and one per cent very poor.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to heavy rain, wind, hail and grasshoppers. Strong winds and heavy rains resulted in some crop lodging, this will make harvest more difficult and possibly reduce quality of harvested seed. A hailstorm hit the northwest corner of the region and resulted in damage to crops, buildings and equipment.
Producers are busy finishing up haying and starting to gear up for harvest even if it is a few weeks away. Many producers will be starting their applications of desiccants in the coming week or so to prep crops for harvest.
