Saskatchewan producers made harvest progress early last week before widespread rain and localized hail arrived, according to the latest provincial crop report.
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Harvest is now 18 per cent complete across Saskatchewan, up seven per cent from the previous week but significantly below the five-year average of 39 per cent and the 10-year average of 34 per cent, the provincial report says.
The week began with predominantly dry conditions across much of the province, allowing producers to make harvest progress in winter cereals, pulses and other early-seeded crops. Many regions received significant rainfall and localized hail later in the week.
Significant rainfall reported
The Prairie Rose area recorded the highest rainfall at 136 millimetres, followed by the Fertile Belt area at 125 mm. The Langenburg and Sasman areas also received 113 mm and 96 mm, respectively.
The widespread precipitation significantly improved topsoil moisture conditions across much of Saskatchewan. Cropland topsoil moisture is now 11 per cent surplus, 64 per cent adequate, 20 per cent short and five per cent very short.
Hayland topsoil moisture is seven per cent surplus, 63 per cent adequate, 23 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is four per cent surplus, 56 per cent adequate, 28 per cent short and 12 per cent very short.
Harvest progress by crop
Winter wheat harvest is 74 per cent complete and fall rye is 88 per cent complete. Among spring cereals, triticale is 68 per cent harvested, barley is 32 per cent, durum is 20 per cent, spring wheat is six per cent, oats are 12 per cent and canary seed is four per cent.
Lentils are 73 per cent harvested, field peas are 66 per cent and chickpeas are seven per cent. Among oilseeds, mustard is 25 per cent harvested, soybeans are seven per cent and canola is four per cent. Flax harvest stands at one per cent.
Current provincial average yield estimates are 52 bushels per acre for hard red spring wheat, 44 bushels per acre for durum, 94 bushels per acre for oats, 74 bushels per acre for barley, 41 bushels per acre for triticale and 38 bushels per acre for canola.
Producers throughout the province continue to report considerable yield variability due to the dynamic nature of the growing season. The significant variation in growing conditions across Saskatchewan resulted in a wide range of yield estimates for all crops.
Producers remain optimistic that favourable weather conditions will support further harvest progress. Saskatchewan harvest began early this year amid heat and dry conditions, though excess rain and hail damaged crops in some regions earlier in the summer.
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