Saskatchewan’s harvest is picking up pace provincewide, but rainfall and high humidity continue to slow field work in the east and delay operations in parts of the west, according to the provincial crop report for the period of Sept. 15 to Sept. 21.
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The report, released Sept. 24 by the Ministry of Agriculture, puts overall harvest progress at 41 per cent complete. That figure remains well behind the five-year average of 82 per cent and the 10-year average of 73 per cent for this point in the season.
Harvest progress by region
The southwest continues to lead the province at 67 per cent complete, followed by the west-central region at 45 per cent, the ministry said.
The southeast sits at 38 per cent complete and the east-central region at 29 per cent. The northwest is at 26 per cent and the northeast at 24 per cent, according to the report.
The ministry said high temperatures over the weekend and into this week should help producers make up ground or finish remaining fields. The latest numbers follow a provincial report released earlier this month that put harvest at 27 per cent complete, and an update the following week that showed rainfall continuing to stall progress across much of the province.
Crop-by-crop harvest figures
Winter cereal harvest is nearly finished, with fall rye at 99 per cent complete and winter wheat at 97 per cent, the ministry said.
Among oilseeds, mustard harvest sits at 63 per cent complete, canola at 26 per cent, soybeans at 10 per cent and flax at 7 per cent. Spring cereal progress includes triticale at 91 per cent, barley at 61 per cent, durum at 55 per cent, oats at 33 per cent, spring wheat at 32 per cent and canary seed at 25 per cent.
Pulse crops are further along, with lentils at 92 per cent complete, field peas at 91 per cent and chickpeas at 32 per cent, according to the report.
Rain totals and crop quality concerns
Significant rain fell across parts of the province early in the week, with the heaviest amounts reported in the southeast. The Moosomin area recorded 75 millimetres and the Bethune area 54 millimetres, while the Alida and Carnduff areas received 34 and 32 millimetres respectively, the ministry said.
Wet conditions and high humidity are affecting quality in some cereal and pulse crops still standing in the field, with reports of poor quality and sprouting, according to the report.
Topsoil moisture remains mostly adequate across the province. Cropland moisture is rated 19 per cent surplus, 76 per cent adequate and 5 per cent short. Hayland is 12 per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate, 6 per cent short and 1 per cent very short, while pasture moisture is 8 per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate, 9 per cent short and 2 per cent very short.
Pasture conditions and crop damage
Pasture conditions have improved significantly since August, the ministry said. Provincially, 13 per cent of pastures are rated excellent, 58 per cent good, 21 per cent fair, 7 per cent poor and 1 per cent very poor.
Crop damage this week was mostly linked to flooding and wind, with some low-lying areas lost to water accumulation, according to the report. Waterfowl damage was also more prevalent as geese, cranes and other birds move across the province.
Safety reminders for producers
The ministry reminded producers that harvest is a busy and stressful time and pointed to the Farm Stress Line, available toll-free at 1-800-667-4442.
With an increase in machinery fires reported this season, the ministry is asking producers to keep fire mitigation resources on hand, blow off combines regularly and take precautions around power lines. The public is also reminded to use caution around farm machinery travelling on roadways during harvest.
A complete, printable version of the crop report is available through the Ministry of Agriculture, which also posts weekly updates on Twitter at @SKAgriculture.
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