Saskatchewan’s harvest reached four per cent complete as of Aug. 17, as scattered rain showers and thunderstorms moved across the province and slowed combining operations, according to the latest provincial crop report.
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The moisture was welcome in some regions, but early-morning humidity shortened harvest windows and created poor desiccation conditions. Producers noted that warmer temperatures are needed to help advance crop maturity.
Rainfall varied across regions
Rainfall was variable across the province last week. Some areas reported receiving significant precipitation from scattered showers and thunderstorms, while others recorded trace or no rainfall, resulting in uneven moisture conditions across crop districts.
The highest rainfall was reported in the Browning area, with 115 millimetres of rain, followed by the Enniskillen area with 106 mm and the Coalfields area with 102 mm. The Reciprocity and Meadow Lake areas reported 73 mm.
Localized showers resulted in slight improvements to topsoil moisture conditions across the province.
Topsoil moisture conditions
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated at two per cent surplus, 54 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and seven per cent very short.
Hayland topsoil moisture is two per cent surplus, 52 per cent adequate, 38 per cent short and eight per cent very short.
Pasture topsoil moisture is one per cent surplus, 43 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and 15 per cent very short.
Harvest progress by region
Cool weather, rainfall and humidity slowed crop development and harvest operations last week. While harvest has begun in some areas, mainly on early seeded pulse crops, spring and winter cereals, most crops are still developing and not yet ready to combine.
Harvest completion remains significantly below the five-year average of 15 per cent and the 10-year average of 12 per cent, but ahead of last year at this time, when three per cent of the crop had been harvested.
The southwest leads in harvest progress at nine per cent complete, followed by the southeast at four per cent, west-central at two per cent and east-central at one per cent.
Crop-specific harvest completion
Winter cereals harvested include winter wheat at 33 per cent and fall rye at 44 per cent.
Spring cereals harvested include triticale at 37 per cent, barley at five per cent, durum at one per cent, spring wheat at one per cent, oats at four per cent and canary seed at one per cent.
Pulses harvested include lentils at 13 per cent and field peas at 18 per cent.
Livestock water supply
Provincially, 81 per cent of reporters indicated no water shortages are occurring or are anticipated for livestock producers. Moderate shortages were reported in some areas.
The full crop report is available from the Government of Saskatchewan.
