ASSINIBOIA - Another warm and dry week allowed harvest to progress markedly in the southwest, according to the crop report for the period of August 29 to September 4. The region is now 81 per cent completed harvest, ahead of the five-year average of 64 per cent. While some crops are still standing, a few operations were able to finish their last fields.
With winter cereals harvest completed and all spring cereals being 80 per cent or more harvested, producers are focusing on their oilseeds. Flax is 20 per cent harvested, while canola is 72 per cent harvested and mustard is 78 per cent in the bin. Lentils and peas are over 90 per cent harvested, and chickpeas are 54 per cent harvested for the year.
Regional yields for the southwest are well below those of the provincial averages due to dry conditions. Hard Red Spring Wheat is anticipated to yield 20 bu./ac., durum 17 bu./ac. and barley 25 bu./ac. Canola yields are estimated at 14 bu./ac., while mustard is 469 lbs./ac. Lentils are anticipated to be 714 lbs./ac. and chickpeas 981 lbs./ac.
Little moisture was received in the southwest this week, with Limerick reporting the most received with 17 mm. Topsoil moisture remains limited; 11 per cent of cropland moisture is adequate, 46 per cent is short and 43 per cent is very short. Hay and pasture moisture is even more limited, with only 10 adequate moisture, 30 per cent short and 60 per cent very short.
Crop damage this past week is due to grasshoppers and dry conditions. Sooty moulds have been threatening grades where moisture was received. Producers are busy wrapping up harvest, securing winter feed resources and hauling water for livestock.
