A relatively warm and dry week allowed many producers to continue with harvest operations, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report. Fourteen per cent of the crop is now in the bin, well ahead of the five-year (2012-2016) average eight per cent for this time. Fifteen per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Harvest is most advanced in the southwest, where 30 per cent of the crop is now combined. The southeastern region has 23 per cent combined, the west-central region 11 per cent and the east-central region four per cent. Both the northeastern and northwestern regions have one per cent of the crop in the bin. If the weather co-operates, the majority of producers in the province expect to be in the field by the end of the month.
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Ninety-two per cent of the fall rye, 83 per cent of the winter wheat, 57 per cent of the lentils, 54 per cent of the field peas, 14 per cent of the durum and two per cent of the canola have been combined. Eighteen per cent of the canola and 14 per cent of the mustard have been swathed.
The majority of the province received little to no rainfall this past week, although the Pierceland area reported 89 mm. Many areas in the northwest are saturated and field access will be an issue.
With the warm temperatures and lack of rain this past week, topsoil moisture conditions have worsened. Across the province, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as one per cent surplus, 32 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and 27 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 26 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and 38 per cent very short.
The majority of crop damage this past week is attributed to hail, strong winds, localized flooding and lack of moisture. Producers continue to scout for insects, such as bertha armyworms in canola.
Producers are busy combining, desiccating crops and hauling bales and grain.
SaskPower has received 12 reports of farm machinery coming in contact with power lines in August, with four reports being received last week. SaskPower urges anyone who has come in contact with electricity to seek medical attention immediately, even if there are no signs of injury.
Saskatchewan Harvest: August 21, percentage combined
- Winter wheat – 83
- Fall rye* – 92
- Spring wheat – 4
- Durum – 14
- Oats – 2
- Barley – 9
- Canaryseed – 0
- Flax – 0
- Canola – 2
- Mustard – 9
- Soybeans – 6
- Lentils – 57
- Peas – 54
- Chickpeas – 2
*includes five per cent ‘other’
