YORKTON - After some rain delays, conditions have improved and harvest is once again in full swing, according to the crop report for the period of August 22 to 28. Crops in the region are now 19 per cent harvested, ahead of the five-year average of 15 per cent.
Producers have made great progress in their fall cereals this week and have 96 per cent of winter wheat and fall rye in the bin for the year. Field peas are 82 per cent harvested and lentils are 77 per cent harvested for the year. Mustard leads oilseed progress with 32 per cent of the crop in the bin, ahead of canola at four per cent and flax at two per cent. Producers are mainly focusing on spring seeded cereals right now, 39 per cent of barley, 13 per cent of spring wheat, 11 per cent of durum and six per cent of oats are harvested for the year.
Scattered showers moved through the region this week. The Bankend area received the most rain, with 50 mm recorded. This moisture helped replenish soil moisture and 54 per cent of crop land now has adequate moisture, 33 per cent is short and 13 per cent is very short. In pastures and hay land, 37 per cent have adequate soil moisture, 50 per cent is short and 13 per cent is very short.
Crop damage this past week is primarily due to drought stress and grasshopper damage, with localized flooding and wind damage reported. Producers are busy desiccating and combining mature crops, while others are hauling feed and water for livestock.
