EAST CENTRAL — Despite rainfall and cool weather producers were able to make harvest progress this week.
According to the Sept. 3 to 9 crop report, 18 per cent of the crop is now in the bin, up from 11 per cent last week but well behind the five-year (2014-18) average of 43 per cent for this time of year.
Northeastern Saskatchewan
The northeastern region now has eight per cent of the crop in the bin, up from four per cent last week but behind the five-year (2014-18) average of 23 per cent for this time of year. An additional 28 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 trace amounts to 10 millimetres in the Garrick area. The Nipawin area received six millimetres of rain, the Hudson Bay, Arborfield and Star City areas three millimetres, the Melfort area four millimetres and the Kinistino area two millimetres. The Arborfield area has also received the most precipitation since April 1 (319 millimetres).
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 20 per cent surplus, 78 per cent adequate and two per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 15 per cent surplus, 83 per cent adequate and two per cent short. Crop District 8A is reporting that 46 per cent of the cropland and 27 per cent of hay land and pasture has surplus topsoil moisture at this time.
The majority of crop damage this past week was due to strong winds. Producers are reporting that downgrading is expected at the elevator due to sprouting, bleaching and staining.
Producers are busy moving bales, cattle and waiting for warm and dry weather.
East Central Saskatchewan
Some harvest progress was made last week in the region despite wet and cool weather. Eight per cent of the crop is in the bin, up from three per cent last week and remaining well behind the five-year (2014-2018) average of 32 per cent for this time of year. An additional 14 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 trace amounts to 40 millimetres in the Bethune area. The Rocanville area received 15 millimetres of rain, the Saltcoats area seven millimetres, the Lipton area 15 millimetres, the Goodeve area eight millimetres, the Kelliher area six millimetres, the Elfros area 10 millimetres, the Rhein area three millimetres, the Kuroki area six millimetres, the Craik area 24 millimetres, the Bulyea area 22 millimetres and the Allan area two millimetres. The Lipton area has received the most precipitation since April 1 (448 millimetres).
Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 16 per cent surplus, 79 per cent adequate and five per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as eight per cent surplus, 85 per cent adequate, six per cent short and one per cent very short. Crop District 5A is reporting that 23 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, light frost 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 waiting for favorable harvest weather.
The crop report is provided weekly by the Government of Saskatchewan.
