Warm, dry conditions across Saskatchewan allowed farmers to make significant progress over the past week, bringing the provincial harvest to 63 per cent complete.
Read more: UPDATE: Shelter-in-place order lifted following arrest in Wainwright
According to the latest crop report from the Ministry of Agriculture for the period ending Sept. 28, combining progress jumped 22 percentage points from the previous week. Despite the rapid advance, overall progress continues to trail historical benchmarks, including the five-year average of 91 per cent and the 10-year average of 82 per cent, due to a delayed start to the season.
Harvest progress remains balanced across most regions. The southwest leads the province at 84 per cent complete, followed by the west-central region at 69 per cent and the southeast at 57 per cent. Completion rates in other regions include:
- Northwest: 53 per cent
- East-central: 52 per cent
- Northeast: 49 per cent
Combining for winter cereals is virtually complete, with both fall rye and winter wheat reaching 100 per cent harvested.
Pulse crops are also nearing the finish line, with field peas and lentils at 97 per cent and 96 per cent complete, respectively, while chickpeas sit at 65 per cent.
Among spring cereals, triticale leads at 97 per cent harvested, followed by barley and durum both at 79 per cent, spring wheat at 65 per cent, oats at 56 per cent, and canary seed at 50 per cent.
Oilseeds continue to lag overall progress: mustard is 84 per cent complete, canola is 45 per cent harvested, flax stands at 24 per cent, and soybeans sit at 17 per cent.
Minimal rainfall across the province led to a slight dip in topsoil moisture. Cropland topsoil moisture is currently rated as 81 per cent adequate, 13 per cent surplus, and six per cent short. Topsoil moisture for hayland is rated at 84 per cent adequate, while pasture land stands at 81 per cent adequate.
Water supplies remain strong, with 93 per cent of producers reporting no current or expected shortages. Minor quality issues were noted by eight per cent of respondents, primarily linked to blue-green algae growth in dugouts.
High winds caused the majority of crop damage over the reporting period, blowing swaths across fields in some areas. Minor damage was also attributed to localized flooding, frost, waterfowl, and wildlife.
With dry conditions persisting, officials are warning producers of an elevated risk of combine and equipment fires. Farmers are advised to clean machinery regularly, keep fire suppression equipment nearby, and use extra caution around powerlines and when moving heavy machinery on public roadways.
Read more: Border City marks Truth and Reconciliation Day
