Farmers continue harvest operations but cool, rainy weather slowed progress this past week.
This year’s harvest is now 29 per cent complete. That is up from 20 per cent last week and still well ahead of the five-year average of 12 per cent.
An additional 21 per cent of the crop is now swathed or ready to straight-cut, which is up from the five-year average of 16 per cent.
Ninety-three per cent of winter wheat, 78 per cent of fall rye, 76 per cent of lentils, 81 per cent of field peas, 42 per cent of barley, 31 per cent of durum, 23 per cent of oats, 25 per cent of spring wheat, and six per cent of canola has been combined. An additional 30 per cent of canola has been swathed or is ready to straight-cut.
Harvest progress is most advanced in the southern regions. Producers in the southwest region have 43 per cent combined, the southeast region — which includes Moose jaw — is at 30 per cent, the west-central 27 per cent, the east-central 22 per cent, the northeast 25 per cent, and the northwest is at 15 per cent complete.
Several large weather systems moved through the province last week, resulting in significant amounts of precipitation, along with hail in some areas. The Grenfell area received the most rainfall with 97 mm, while the Moose Jaw area received 77 mm.
The rain will result in downgrading of crops still in the field but it will benefit pastures and hopefully allow them to regrow for next year. Although the rain has helped with the hot and dry conditions, more rain is needed to break out of the current drought.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 32 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short, and 30 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 23 per cent adequate, 34 per cent short, and 42 per cent very short.
Pasture conditions are rated as one per cent good, 15 per cent fair, 46 per cent poor, and 38 per cent very poor.
A complete, printable version of the crop report is available online.
