Crops are ripening in the heat quickly and that is keeping combines busy in the southern portion of the province.
Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly crop report says five percent of the provincial crop was combined, as of Monday. That is ahead of the five-year average of three per cent.
Another nine percent has been swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Harvest is most advanced in the southwest, where 10 percent of the crop is combined. The southeast is at eight percent, while central regions are sitting at two percent.
Quality is good, but early yields have been variable.
“Some areas have been about average and you go a few miles away, it seems they are well below,” says Shannon Friesen, a crops extension specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. “It’s certainly not looking look like a bumper crop this year, but we are hopeful that overall things are about average.”
Twenty-four percent of the provincial wheat crop has been combined, along with 21 percent of peas and 20 percent of lentils. Only six per cent of the Saskatchewan canola crop has been swathed or prepared for straight-cutting.
Topsoil moisture conditions have worsened with the hot and dry weather. Across the province, topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 31 percent adequate, 44 percent short and 25 percent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture comes in at only 24 percent adequate, 38 percent short and 38 percent very short.
There have been reports of stubble and combine fires in drier areas. Growers are being encouraged to have a portable water supply in the field as a precaution.
You can check out the region-by-region crop report below:
SOUTHEAST
Crop District 1 -Carnduff, Estevan, Redvers, Moosomin and Kipling areas;
Crop District 2 Weyburn, Milestone, Moose Jaw, Regina and Qu Appelle areas;
Crop District 3ASE Radville, Minton and Lake Alma areas
With the recent hot and dry weather, crops are quickly drying down. Eight per cent of the crop is now in the bin, up from three per cent last week and well ahead of the five-year (2013-2017) average of five per cent for this time of year. Twelve per cent of the crop is now swathed or ready to straight-cut.
The region did not report any rainfall last week. The Lampman area maintains the record (398 mm) for the most rain in both the region and the province since April 1. Extreme temperatures and the prolonged lack of moisture in many areas have caused crops to quickly ripen; as a result, yield and quality may be affected. Any future rain will be of little benefit to crops, which are rapidly advancing. Many pastures and hay fields are in need of significant rainfall to help them recover from the hot and dry conditions.
Topsoil moisture conditions have significantly worsened since last week. Topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 14 per cent adequate, 68 per cent short and 18 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 10 per cent adequate, 51 percent short and 39 per cent very short. All crop districts are reporting that at least 78 per cent of cropland, hay land and pasture are short to very short topsoil moisture at this time.
Reported crop yields so far range from average to well below average; however, the quality of combined crops remains good. Most crop damage this past week is attributed to lack of moisture, strong winds and hot temperatures. There have been reports of combine and stubble fires in some drier areas of the region.
Producers are busy combining, swathing canola and hauling bales.
SOUTHWEST
Crop District 3ASW Coronach, Assiniboia and Ogema areas; Crop District 3AN Gravelbourg, Mossbank, Mortlach and Central Butte areas;
Crop District 3B Kyle, Swift Current , Shaunavon and Ponteix areas;
Crop District 4 Consul, Maple Creek and Leader areas
With 10 per cent of the crop now in the bin, producers in the southwestern region are well ahead of the five-year (2013-2017) average of six per cent for this time of year. Thirteen per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Very little rainfall was reported in the region, with the Lucky Lake and Tyner areas reporting 1 mm and the Shaunavon area 3 mm. The Vanguard area has received the most rainfall (193 mm) in the area since April 1. Extreme temperatures last week and the prolonged lack of moisture have caused crops to dry down rapidly; as a result, yield and quality will be affected. Any future rain will be of little benefit crops, which are rapidly advancing. Many pastures and hay fields are in need of significant rainfall to help them recover from the hot and dry conditions.
Topsoil moisture conditions continue to quickly deteriorate due to lack of moisture, strong winds and hot temperatures. Topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 10 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and 50 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated as six per cent adequate, 31 percent short and 63 per cent very short. All crop districts are reporting that at least 83 per cent of cropland and 89 per cent of hay land and pasture are short to very short topsoil moisture at this time.
Yields reported so far range from about average to well below average; however, the quality of combined crops is good to excellent. Most crop damage this past week was due to strong winds, lack of moisture and hot temperatures. There have been some reports of grasshoppers, as well as stubble and combine fires in drier areas. Livestock feed remains in short supply.
EAST-CENTRAL
Crop District 5 Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville and Kelvington areas;
Crop District 6A Lumsden, Craik, Watrous and Clavet areas
Most producers in the region are just beginning harvest. Two per cent of the crop is now combined, just ahead of the five-year (2013-2017) average of one per cent for this time of year. Seven per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Little to no rainfall was received last week, although the Elfros area reported 1 mm, the Allan area 5 mm and the Meacham area 2 mm. The Langenburg area has received the most precipitation (390 mm) in the region since April 1. Crops are rapidly drying down with the lack of moisture and recent hot temperatures. For some later-seeded crops, rain will help fill pods and heads; however, for crops that are already mature , any future rain will be of little benefit.
Topsoil moisture conditions have significantly worsened since last week. Topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 26 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and 27 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 19 per cent adequate, 49 percent short and 32 per cent very short. Crop District 6A is reporting that 44 per cent of the cropland and 51 per cent of the hay land and pasture are very short topsoil moisture at this time.
Reported yields so far are about average, although some winter cereal yields are less than expected. Crop damage last week is attributed to strong winds, lack of moisture and hot temperatures. There have been some reports of bertha armyworms, but damage appears to be minimal at this time.
WEST CENTRAL
Crop Districts 6B Hanley, Outlook, Loreburn, Saskatoon and Arelee areas;
Crop District 7A Rosetown, Kindersley, Eston, Major;
Crop District 7B – Kerrobert, Macklin, Wilkie and Biggar areas
Two per cent of the crop is now in the bin, just slightly ahead of the five-year (2013-2017) average of one per cent for this time of year. Eight per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut. The recent heat is advancing crops quickly and later-seeded crops could use a good rain to help fill heads and pods.
There were scattered showers in some parts of the region. The Hanley area reported 9 mm of rain, the Saskatoon area 4 mm, the Rosthern area 3 mm, the Biggar, Cando, Rosetown and Kindersley areas 1 mm and the Major and Macklin areas 8 mm. The Saskatoon area has received the most precipitation (318 mm) in the region since April 1.
Extreme temperatures last week and the prolonged lack of moisture have caused crops to dry down rapidly; as a result, yield and quality will be affected. Any future rain will be of little benefit to crops, which are rapidly advancing. Many pastures and hay fields are in need of significant rainfall to help them recover from the hot and dry conditions.
Despite rainfall in some areas, topsoil moisture conditions have worsened. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 38 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and 23 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 26 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and 33 per cent very short. Crop District 6B is reporting that 74 per cent of the cropland and 81 per cent of the hay land and pasture are short to very short topsoil moisture at this time.
Reported yields so far range from about average to well below average; however, crop quality remains good. Crop damage this past week was mainly due to lack of moisture, wind and hot temperatures. There have been some reports of grasshoppers, as well as stubble and combine fires in drier areas.
NORTHEAST
Crop District 8 Hudson Bay, Tisdale, Melfort, Carrot River, Humboldt, Kinistino, Cudworth and Aberdeen areas;
Crop District 9AE Prince Albert, Choiceland and Paddockwood areas
Two per cent of the crop is now in the bin, just slightly ahead of the five-year (2013-2017) average of one per cent for this time of year. Eight per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut. The recent heat is advancing crops quickly and later-seeded crops could use a good rain to help fill heads and pods.
There were scattered showers in some parts of the region. The Hanley area reported 9 mm of rain, the Saskatoon area 4 mm, the Rosthern area 3 mm, the Biggar, Cando, Rosetown and Kindersley areas 1 mm and the Major and Macklin areas 8 mm. The Saskatoon area has received the most precipitation (318 mm) in the region since April 1.
Extreme temperatures last week and the prolonged lack of moisture have caused crops to dry down rapidly; as a result, yield and quality will be affected. Any future rain will be of little benefit to crops, which are rapidly advancing. Many pastures and hay fields are in need of significant rainfall to help them recover from the hot and dry conditions.
Despite rainfall in some areas, topsoil moisture conditions have worsened. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 38 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and 23 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 26 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and 33 per cent very short. Crop District 6B is reporting that 74 per cent of the cropland and 81 per cent of the hay land and pasture are short to very short topsoil moisture at this time.
Reported yields so far range from about average to well below average; however, crop quality remains good. Crop damage this past week was mainly due to lack of moisture, wind and hot temperatures. There have been some reports of grasshoppers, as well as stubble and combine fires in drier areas.
NORTHWEST
Crop District 9AW Shellbrook, North Battleford, Big River and Hafford areas;
Crop District 9B Meadow Lake, Turtleford, Pierceland, Maidstone and Lloydminster areas
Crops are advancing rapidly in the region due to recent hot temperatures. Less than one per cent of the crop has been combined, although pulse desiccation and canola swathing are well underway. Additional rain is needed to help later-seeded crops fill heads and pods.
Rainfall last week ranged from nil to 29 mm in the Meadow Lake area. The Hafford area received 2 mm of rain, the Duck Lake area 3 mm, the Spiritwood area 22 mm, the Neilburg area 16 mm, the Turtleford and Lloydminister areas 20 mm and the St. Walburg area 14 mm. The St. Walburg area has received the most precipitation (370 mm) in the region since April 1.
Topsoil moisture conditions have worsened in many areas despite the recent rain. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 69 per cent adequate, 24 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 65 per cent adequate, 28 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Crop District 9AW is reporting that 14 per cent of the cropland and 15 per cent of the hay land and pasture are very short topsoil moisture at this time.
Expected yields range from about average to well above average; however, yields may be affected by the recent high temperatures. The majority of crop damage this past week was due to hail, lack of moisture, wind and hot temperatures.
Producers are busy combining, desiccating fields and swathing crops.