REGINA - Producers have made the most of another dry week in Saskatchewan with harvest now 82 per cent completed, according to the weekly crop report for the period of September 12 to 18. This is ahead of the five-year average of 64 per cent and the 10-year average of 62 per cent. Producers are hoping for timely rains once harvest is complete.
Harvest in the southwest is essentially complete with 97 per cent of the crop off. Only a few flax acres remain in the region. The west-central region continues to make great progress with 92 per cent of this year’s crop harvested. The southeast has 79 per cent, followed by the northeast and northwest at 75 per cent and finally, the east-central region has 66 per cent harvested.
Producers mainly focused on harvesting oilseed crops this week and made substantial progress. Canola is now 65 per cent complete across the province, up by 23 per cent over last week. Mustard is 97 per cent complete, soybeans are 47 per cent and flax is 39 per cent. Oat harvest has also progressed rapidly, with 79 per cent of the crop harvested, an increase of 21 per cent from last week. Durum is 94 per cent complete, barley is 92 per cent and spring wheat is 88 per cent. Chickpea harvest progressed, with 87 per cent of the crop off. Harvest of fall cereals, canary seed, peas and lentils is complete for the year.
Minimal rain was seen this week, with the Stoughton area receiving the most rain at 10 mm. The lack of significant rain led to topsoil moisture once again decreasing. Twenty-five per cent of cropland has adequate topsoil moisture, 49 per cent is short and 26 per cent is very short. Twenty per cent of hay and pastures have adequate moisture, 49 per cent is short and 31 per cent is very short.
Pasture conditions remain relatively unchanged. Twelve per cent of pastures are in good condition across the province, while 31 per cent are fair, 35 per cent are in poor condition and 22 per cent are in very poor condition. Producers will need multiple significant rain events to improve soil moisture for pasture quality to improve.
Crop damage continues to be caused by drought conditions and grasshoppers. This week crops were also damaged by light frosts, wind and wildlife.
Producers are currently busy with harvest, spraying post-harvest weed applications, working their fields and hauling grain. Many are also hauling bales, preparing feed for winter and marketing cattle.
Harvest is a very busy and stressful time for producers. They are reminded to take safety precautions in all the work they do. This includes having fire mitigation resources at the ready and taking precautions when working around powerlines. The Farm Stress Line is available to provide support to producers toll free at 1‑800‑667‑4442. The public is reminded to take extra caution, time and space when encountering machinery on the roads.
