While still well behind the five-year curve, Saskatchewan growers were able to make a substantial push forward with their harvest work last week in some warmer, sunnier weather.
The province on Thursday reported 29 per cent of its 2010 crop has now been harvested, up from 11 per cent last week but well below the five-year (2005-09) provincial average of 75 per cent for this time of year.
Another 44 per cent of the province’s harvestable acreage is swathed or ready to straight-combine, the province said.
“Significant” combining progress was seen in fields of canola, mustard, lentils, field peas, winter wheat and barley, the province noted.
Read Also
Field-by-field mapping could improve yield, productivity predictions
University of Saskatchewan researchers are using field border mapping to collect data on field variability, including problematic weeds, and to predict things like yields.
The southwest region of the province reported the most harvesting progress so far this year, with 36 per cent of acres complete. The west-central region, however, is the farthest behind at just 20 per cent.
Much of the crop damage has been due to rain and frost over the past couple of weeks, the province said, also noting lodging, flooding, bleaching, sprouting, cranes and geese among the causes of crop damage.
Topsoil moisture is reported as 49 per cent “surplus” and 51 per cent “adequate” on cropland, but as 27 per cent surplus and 70 per cent adequate on hayland and pasture.
Pasture conditions are similar to a month ago and are rated as 40 per cent excellent, 49 per cent good, nine per cent fair and two per cent poor, the province said. Ninety-eight per cent of livestock producers have “adequate” water supplies for their livestock.
