EAST CENTRAL — Warm weather and wind has allowed combining to resume, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Weekly Crop Report.
From Sept. 10 to 16, 23 per cent of the crop is now in the bin, up from 18 per cent last week, still well behind the five-year (2014-18) average of 50 per cent for this time of year.
Northeastern Saskatchewan
The northeastern region made some harvest progress this week and now has 15 per cent of the crop in the bin, up from eight per cent last week but behind the five-year (2014-2018) average of 34 per cent for this time of year. An additional 51 per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut. Warm and dry weather is needed for crops to mature and for fields to dry up.
The region received small amounts of rain last week, ranging from small amounts to 29 millimetres in the Humboldt area. The Nipawin and Birch Hills areas received eight millimetres of rain, the Hudson Bay, Porcupine Plain and Melfort areas seven millimetres, the Star City area 12 millimetres, the Ridgedale area 14 millimetres and the Garrick area 21 millimetres. The Arborfield area has also received the most precipitation since April 1 (331 millimetres).
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 21 per cent surplus and 79 per cent adequate. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 13 per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate and three per cent short. Crop District 8A is reporting that 41 per cent of the cropland and 28 per cent of hay land and pasture has surplus topsoil moisture at this time.
Producers are reporting that downgrading is expected at the elevator due to sprouting, bleaching and staining.
Producers are busy moving bales, cattle and continuing with harvest operations as crop maturity and weather permit.
East Central Saskatchewan
Some harvest progress was made last week in the region despite wet and cool weather. Twelve per cent of the crop is in the bin, up from eight per cent last week and remaining well behind the five-year (2014-2018) average of 41 per cent for this time of year. An additional 39 per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut. The region will need several weeks of warm and dry weather to help crops mature and for harvesting to continue.
Rainfall was received in much of the region last week, ranging from eight millimetres in the Kelvington area to 64 millimetres in the Bethune area. The Rocanville area received 37 millimetres of rain, the Saltcoats area 26 millimetres, the Lipton area 38 millimetres, the Jedburgh area 35 millimetres, the Kelliher area 42 millimetres, the Elfros area 13 millimetres, the Rose Valley area 15 millimetres, the Craik area 18 millimetres, the Stalwart area 30 millimetres and the Meacham area 10 millimetres. The Lipton area has received the most precipitation since April 1 (486 millimetres).
Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 12 per cent surplus, 80 per cent adequate and eight per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as seven per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate, 10 per cent short and one per cent very short. Crop District 5A is reporting that 24 per cent of the cropland and five per cent of the hay and pasture land has surplus topsoil moisture at this time.
The majority of crop damage this past week was due to localized flooding and strong winds. There have been several reports of crops bleaching, staining and sprouting due to the excess moisture and downgrading is expected at the elevator.
Producers are getting back out in the field and continuing with harvest operations as the weather permits.
The crop report is provided weekly by the Government of Saskatchewan.
