The vast majority of farmers will have their combining done in time for the Thanksgiving long weekend.
Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly crop report indicates 96 percent of the provincial crop was in the bin, as of Monday. Another three percent was in the swath or ready to straight-cut.
The greatest amount of harvest activity occurred in the northwest over the past week. Combining in the region is 91 percent, up from 66 percent the previous week. The following is the harvest progress by region:
Southwest 99 percent
Southeast 98 percent
West Central 98 percent
East Central 92 percent
Northeast 93 percent
Northwest 91 percent
Nineteen percent of soybeans are still in the field, along with 14 percent of flax, 8 percent of canola, 5 percent of oats and three percent of spring wheat.
Crop reporters were asked to estimate spring wheat quality. The numbers are very good with 64 percent forecast to grade 1 CW, 29 percent 2 CW, six percent 3CW and one percent feed.
Estimated average provincial crop yields are:
Hard Red Spring Wheat 46 bushels an acre
Canola 36 bushels an acre
Barley 66 bushels an acre
Peas 39 bushels an acre
Lentils 1,487 pounds an acre
Durum 38 bushels per acre
Late July and August heat appeared to have impacted canola yields in southern areas. The average canola yield in the southwest is estimated at 28 bushels an acre, which compares to 41 bushels in the northwest where there was more precipitation during the growing season.
Topsoil moisture is short in many areas and rain is needed once harvest is complete. Provincial cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 31 percent adequate, 41 percent short and 28 percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 22 percent adequate, 36 percent short and 42 percent very short.
With an early harvest completion, more farmers are taking care of fall field work before the snow arrives.
You can check out the region-by-region crop report below:
SOUTHEAST
Currently, 98 per cent of the crop has been combined, which is up from 96 per cent last week and remains ahead of the five-year (2015-2019) average of 84 per cent for this time of year. Most of the crop still being harvested is later maturing soybeans, flax and canola. Farmers are continuing post-harvest field operations. With it being so dry, farmers are working low spots in fields that are normally too wet. There has been some post-harvest weed control, but in many areas the weeds are not actively growing due to the lack of moisture.
Most of the region saw little to no rainfall, with the Whitewood and Moose Jaw area receiving the highest amount of rain this week at two mm. The Broadview area received one mm and there were trace amounts to no rain reported in Crop Districts 1A, 2A and 3ASE. The Tantallon area has received the most precipitation in the region since April 1 with 346 mm.
Moisture conditions remain the same. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 11 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and 48 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as seven per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and 56 per cent very short. High amounts of precipitation are needed this fall and winter to provide adequate moisture for crops next year.
Yield estimates were around average in the region, but varied depending on the amount of moisture received throughout the growing season. Spring wheat grades at this time are reported as 70 per cent 1 CW, 24 per cent 2 CW and six per cent 3 CW.
Most of the crop damage reported this week was caused by wind blowing swaths around and shelling out seed, waterfowl or symptoms caused by lack of moisture throughout the growing season.
Farmers are busy wrapping up harvest, harrowing, hauling bales and moving cattle.
SOUTHWEST
Harvest is essentially complete in the region, with 99 per cent of the crop in the bin. The five-year (2015-2019) average for this time of year is 86 per cent. Farmers are now working on other post-harvest work and getting cattle ready for the winter. More farmers are working land that is normally sloughs or low spots due to limited moisture in these areas.
There was very little precipitation reported in the southwest this week. The Leader area received the most rain this past week with three mm. The Hazenmore area received two mm of rain and the Kyle area one mm. Crop Districts 3ASW, 3AN and 4A all reported trace or no rain.
Topsoil moisture conditions have continued to deteriorate in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 25 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and 31 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 15 per cent adequate, 36 per cent short and 49 per cent very short. While some farmers are controlling weeds and applying fall fertilizers, many have noted that it is too dry. Rain this fall and snow over the winter is necessary to improve moisture conditions and fill dugouts that have been evaporating over the hot, dry summer.
Yields are around average in the region but varied greatly depending on specific areas where rainfall was received rainfall. Spring wheat grades at this time are being reported as 72 per cent 1 CW, 24 per cent 2 CW and four per cent 3 CW.
Most of the crop is now combined, but there were still reports of wind blowing canola swaths in the fields and some symptoms due to lack of moisture during the growing season.
Farmers are busy wrapping up harvest, hauling grain, fixing machinery and fences, hauling bales and moving cattle.
WEST CENTRAL
Good progress continued to be made in the region with many farmers starting to wrap up harvest. Ninety-eight per cent of the crop has been combined, which is up from 90 per cent last week and remains ahead of the five-year (2015-2019) average for this time of year of 73 per cent. Farmers are focusing on post-harvest work such as spraying weeds and harrowing or working sloughs and low spots that are normally too wet.
There was very little rain received in the region this past week, ranging from none to just 5 mm in the Macklin area. The Smiley and Rosthern areas received 2 mm and the Conquest, Saskatoon and Rosetown areas 1 mm.
Topsoil moisture conditions are around the same as the previous week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 37 per cent adequate, 48 per cent short and 15 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 27 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and 29 per cent very short. Farmers are hoping for rain this fall and snowfall over the winter months to improve moisture conditions for the next growing season.
Yields are estimated to be around average in the region, but vary greatly depending on moisture received throughout the year. Spring wheat grades at this time are being reported as 69 per cent 1 CW, 25 per cent 2 CW, five per cent 3 CW and one per cent CW Feed.
While there was not much crop damage reported this week, the majority of crop damage was caused by windy conditions in the field. There were some reports of harvested crops affected by frost earlier in the summer.
Farmers are busy wrapping up harvest, harrowing, spraying weeds, baling straw, moving bales and cattle and planning for next year.
EAST CENTRAL
Good weather conditions in most of the region allow for good harvest progress to be made again this week. Ninety-two per cent of the crop has been combined, which is up from 82 per cent last week and remains ahead of the five-year (2015-2019) average for this time of year of 68 per cent. An additional seven per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut. Scattered rain showers and cool, damp conditions in some parts of the region slowed harvest progress and required some of the crop to be dried.
There was very little rain this past week in the form of scattered showers throughout the region. The Kelvington area received the highest amount of rain in the province this week with 7 mm. The Pelly area received 4mm, the Goodeve and Rhein areas 3 mm, the Foam Lake area 2 mm and the Kenaston, Meacham and south of Raymore areas received 1 mm. The Langenburg area has received the most precipitation in the region since April 1 with 326 mm.
Moisture conditions have remained around the same level over the past few weeks, with most of the land being rated as short in topsoil moisture. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 27 per cent adequate, 38 per cent short and 35 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 19 per cent adequate, 30 per cent short and 51 per cent very short. Farmers are hoping for large amounts of rain to replenish topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions as well as dugout water.
Yields are around average in the region, but vary depending on moisture conditions throughout the season. There have been reports of some yield loss due to lack of moisture and heat stress earlier in the season. Spring wheat grades at this time are being reported as 70 per cent 1 CW, 26 per cent 2 CW, three per cent 3 CW and one per cent CW Feed.
The majority of crop damage this past week was due to windy conditions and waterfowl. There were symptoms reported in crops that were affected by dry conditions, heat stress and frost earlier in the year.
Farmers are busy combining, harrowing, spraying weeds, picking rocks, baling straw and hauling bales.
NORTHEAST
here was great harvest progress made again in the region with 93 per cent of the crop now in the bin. This is up from 81 per cent last week and remains ahead of the five-year (2015-2019) average of 67 per cent for this time of year. An additional seven per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut. While weather conditions were ideal for many farmers, there were scattered rain showers in the region that slowed progress for some.
Most of the region received small amounts of rain this week, with the area south of Tisdale receiving the most with five mm. The Birch Hill area received 3.2 mm, the Arborfield area three mm, the Garrick, Melfort and Bruno area two mm and the Star City area one mm. The Hudson Bay area has received the most precipitation in the region since April 1 with 402 mm.
Cropland topsoil moisture conditions continue to deteriorate in the region, whereas hay and pasture land remained the same. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 57 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and eight per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 51 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and 12 per cent very short. Farmers are hoping for rain after harvest is complete to improve moisture conditions for next spring.
Yields are estimated to be average in the region, varying based on the amount of rainfall received. There was some reduction in yield in certain areas because of lack of moisture and heat stress. Spring wheat grades at this time are being reported as 40 per cent 1 CW, 55 per cent 2 CW, four per cent 3 CW and one per cent CW Feed.
Most of the crop damage this past week was due to wind blowing swaths around and waterfowl. Some of the later maturing crops that are currently being harvested were fields that were affected by hail earlier in the year.
Farmers are busy combining, harrowing, applying fertilizer where moisture is adequate and moving bales and cattle.
NORTHWEST
Most of the region had good, dry harvesting conditions which allowed harvest completion to progress significantly to 91 per cent this week. This remains well ahead of the five-year (2015-2019) average of 59 per cent for this time of year. An additional eight per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut. Some farmers noted that small rain showers and cool, damp conditions delayed combining but they have since continued.
There was minimal rain in the northwest region this past week. The area west of Prince Albert received the highest amount of rain in the region this week with five mm. The Pierceland area received four mm, the Duck Lake area three mm and the Meadow Lake and Mayfair area one mm. The St. Walburg area has received the highest amount of precipitation in the province since April 1 with 486 mm.
Topsoil moisture conditions continued to deplete in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 57 per cent adequate, 32 per cent short and 11 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 44 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 14 per cent very short.
Yield estimates are around average in the northwest, varying based on conditions throughout the season. There were some reports of reductions in yield due to earlier drowned out low spots, heat stress and lack of moisture in some areas. Spring wheat grades at this time are being reported as 57 per cent 1 CW, 24 per cent 2 CW, 14 per cent 3 CW and five per cent CW Feed.
The majority of crop damage this past week was due to windy conditions, wildlife and frost.
Farmers are busy combining, harrowing and moving bales.
