Wet and cool weather has delayed harvest progress, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's weekly Crop Report.
Less than one per cent of the crop has been combined. When broken down by crop, six per cent of the winter wheat and fall rye have been combined, while three per cent of the lentils and peas have been combined. The five-year provincial average (2005 to 2009) for this time of year is five per cent combined. Just over two per cent of the 2010 crop is swathed or ready to straight-combine.
Haying continues. Rain, high humidity and heavy dew continue to slow progress. Saskatchewan producers have 90 per cent of the hay crop cut, with 80 per cent of that baled or put into silage. Quality is rated as nine per cent excellent, 65 per cent good, 15 per cent fair and two per cent poor.
The estimated hay yield for both dryland alfalfa and alfalfa/brome stands is 2.1 tons per acre. Estimated yield on irrigated alfalfa and alfalfa/brome stands is 2.7 tons per acre. Greenfeed is expected to yield 2.4 tons per acre on dryland and three tons per acre on irrigated stands. The five-year average (2005 to 2009) yield on dry land alfalfa/brome stands is 1.4 tons per acre.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 27 per cent surplus, 70 per cent adequate and three per cent short. Topsoil moisture on hay land and pasture is rated as 15 per cent surplus, 80 per cent adequate and five per cent short.
The majority of crop damage is being caused by flooding, disease and hail.
Farmers are busy haying, getting ready for harvest and hauling grain.
