Warm weather with few little rain interruptions over the past week has helped speed crop development. Harvest operations have begun in many areas of the province. Less than one per cent of the 2013 provincial crop has been combined, while four per cent has been swathed or is ready to straight combine, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's Weekly Crop Report for the week of August 13 to 19. The five-year average (2008-2012) for this time of year is seven per cent combined and nine per cent swathed or ready to straight cut.
Across the province, five per cent of the peas and winter wheat and two per cent of the lentils have been combined. Five per cent of the canola has been swathed. Swathing of canola has started in the southern regions of the province and is expected to start in the northeast and northwest regions within the week. Desiccation of pulses has just started in the northeast and northwest regions. Warm temperatures will be needed into the harvest season to get the majority of the crop in the bin in good condition.
Rain recorded in the province last week ranged from nil to 88 mm. Grasshoppers and bertha armyworms caused some crop damage. Crop reporters are indicating there are areas in the east-central and northeast regions where bertha armyworm populations are very high.
Across the province, topsoil moisture on crop land is rated as three per cent surplus, 74 per cent adequate, 21 per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 69 per cent adequate, 26 per cent short and four per cent very short.
Farmers are busy with harvest operations.
