Sixteen percent of the 2018 crop has been combined, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly crop report.
That is well ahead of the five-year average (2013-2017) of seven percent for this time of year.
Harvest is most advanced in the southwest, where 31 percent of the crop has been combined. The southeast is next at 24 percent, followed by west-central at 13 percent. The east-central region sits at seven percent with the northern grainbelt between one and four percent. Many producers in the north expect to be in the field within the next week.
Fifty-seven percent of winter wheat, 55 percent of peas and lentils, 16 percent of barley, 14 percent of durum, five percent of spring wheat and three percent of canola have been combined. An additional 29 percent of the canola is swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Yields are extremely variable, depending on spring and summer moisture.
“Yields vary greatly, even from mile-to-mile,” says Shannon Friesen, a crops extension specialist. “We have heard anywhere from above average to well below average, even only a few miles away.”
Topsoil moisture conditions have worsened as the warm, dry weather continues. Across the province, cropland is rated as 25 percent adequate, 44 percent short and 31 percent very short. Many southern and central areas have not received a significant rainfall in nearly two months.
Pasture conditions are only rated as 17 percent good, 28 percent fair, 29 percent poor and 26 percent very poor.
You can check out the detailed region-by-region 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
Harvest progress has tripled thanks to recent warm and dry weather. Twenty-four per cent of the crop is now combined, up from just eight per cent last week and well ahead of the five-year (2013-2017) average of 12 per cent for this time of year. Twenty-seven per cent of the crop is now swathed or ready to straight-cut.
While the majority of the region did not report any rainfall last week, the Radville area received 8 mm and the Kisbey and Weyburn areas 3 mm. The Lampman area maintains the record (398 mm) for rain in both the region and the province since April 1. The prolonged lack of moisture and warm temperatures have caused crops to ripen quickly, and many pastures and hay fields remain in need of significant rainfall to help them recover. Pasture conditions in the region are currently rated as 11 per cent good, 47 per cent fair, 25 per cent poor and 17 per cent very poor.
Topsoil moisture conditions continue to decline with the lack of moisture. Topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 14 per cent adequate, 55 per cent short and 31 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 10 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and 53 per cent very short. All crop districts are reporting that at least 78 per cent of cropland, hay land and pasture is short or very short topsoil moisture at this time.
Reported yields so far vary greatly across the region, all depending on how much moisture was received over the growing season. Overall, yields range from average to well below average; however, there have been some pulse and cereal crops that have yielded much better than expected. Most crop damage this past week was due to lack of moisture, but strong winds have blown swaths around in some fields. There have been a few reports of ergot and fusarium in durum fields. Given the dry conditions, concerns remain about feed shortages and the risk of fire.
Producers are busy combining, swathing crops 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
Harvest is moving along quickly in the southwest, where 31 per cent of the crop now combined. This is up from 10 per cent last week and remains well ahead of the five-year (2013-2017) average of 14 per cent for this time of year. An additional 17 per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Some areas reported small amounts of rainfall, although the majority of the region did not receive any. The Hazenmore area reported 2 mm of rain and the Cabri area 1 mm. The Vanguard area has received the most rainfall (193 mm) in the area since April 1. The prolonged lack of moisture and warm temperatures have caused crops to ripen quickly and many pastures and hay fields remain in need of significant rainfall to help them recover. Pasture conditions in the region are currently rated as two per cent good, 15 per cent fair, 29 per cent poor and 54 per cent very poor.
Topsoil moisture conditions are rapidly deteriorating in the region. Topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as six per cent adequate, 36 per cent short and 58 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated as two per cent adequate, 21 per cent short and 77 per cent very short. All crop districts are reporting that at least 82 per cent of cropland and 93 per cent of hay land and pasture are short or very short topsoil moisture at this time.
Reported yields so far vary greatly across the region, all depending on how much moisture was received over the growing season. Overall, yields range from about average to well below average; however, some reporters have indicated that yields are much better than expected for crops such as pulses. The majority of crop damage was due to lack of moisture, but strong winds have blown swaths around in fields. Given the dry conditions, concerns remain about feed shortages and the risk of fire.
Producers are busy combining, swathing crops and hauling bales.
EAST-CENTRAL
Crop District 5 Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville and Kelvington areas;
Crop District 6A Lumsden, Craik, Watrous and Clavet areas
Seven per cent of the crop is now in the bin, up from two per cent last week and ahead of the five-year (2013-2017) average of three per cent for this time of year. Twenty-four per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut.
No rainfall was reported last week across much of the region, although the Humboldt area reported a trace. The Langenburg area has received the most precipitation (390 mm) in the region since April 1. While warm temperatures and lack of moisture are drying crops down, pastures and hay fields remain in need of rainfall to help them recover. Pasture conditions are currently rated as four per cent good, 25 per cent fair, 42 per cent poor and 29 per cent very poor.
Topsoil moisture conditions have significantly worsened since last week. Topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 17 per cent adequate, 55 per cent short and 28 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated as nine per cent adequate, 49 percent short and 42 per cent very short. Crop District 6A is reporting that 44 per cent of the cropland and 59 per cent of the hay land and pasture are very short topsoil moisture at this time.
Reported yields so far range from below average to above average, all depending on moisture received throughout the growing season. Some fields are yielding better than expected, but yields vary greatly from field to field. Most crop damage this past week was due to lack of moisture and wind. There are reports of frost in areas such as Humboldt and Kelvington; however, damage is expected to be minimal as crops have advanced enough. Some producers continue to spray for bertha armyworms in canola fields.
Producers are busy combining, swathing canola and hauling bales.
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
Twelve per cent of the crop is combined in the region, up from just two per cent last week and well ahead of the five-year (2013-2017) average of four per cent for this time of year. Twenty-three per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut.
No rainfall was reported in the region last week. The Saskatoon area has received the most precipitation (318 mm) in the region since April 1. The prolonged lack of moisture and warm temperatures have caused crops to ripen quickly and many pastures and hay fields remain in need of significant rainfall to help them recover. Pasture conditions in the region are currently rated as 24 per cent good, 29 per cent fair, 34 per cent poor and 13 per cent very poor.
Topsoil moisture conditions continue to deteriorate in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 28 per cent adequate, 46 per cent short and 26 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 20 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 38 per cent very short. Crop District 7B is reporting that 93 per cent of the cropland and 91 per cent of the hay land and pasture are short or very short topsoil moisture at this time.
Reported yields so far vary greatly across the region, all depending on how much moisture was received over the growing season. Overall, yields range from about average to well below average. Some barley has been taken off light and some wheat samples have been smaller than normal. Much of the oat crop is being baled for greenfeed. Most crop damage this past week was due to lack of moisture and warm temperatures. Given the dry conditions, concerns remain about feed shortages and the risk of fire.
Producers are busy combining, desiccating pulses and swathing canola.
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
Harvest is well underway and began much earlier than normal for many producers. Four per cent of the crop is now combined, up from less than one per cent last week and ahead of the five-year (2013-2017) average of two per cent for this time of year. An additional 20 per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut.
No rainfall was reported in the region, although the Garrick area received 1 mm. The Arborfield area has received the most precipitation (330 mm) in the region since April 1.
Pastures and hay fields remain in need of significant rain to help them recover from recent hot and dry weather. Pasture conditions at this time are rated as 56 per cent good, 27 per cent fair, 16 per cent poor and one per cent very poor.
Cropland topsoil moisture is currently rated as 68 per cent adequate, 30 per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 68 per cent adequate, 31 per cent short and one per cent very short.
Reported yields so far vary greatly across the region, all depending on moisture amounts received the past few months. While most yields have been about average so far, there are a few reports of crops yielding much higher than expected. Crop damage this past week was mainly due to lack of moisture and wind. Many fields have uneven growth, making swathing and desiccation timing difficult. Some canola fields continue to be sprayed for bertha armyworms.
Producers are busy combining, swathing crops and hauling bales.
NORTHWEST
Crop District 9AW Shellbrook, North Battleford, Big River and Hafford areas;
Crop District 9B Meadow Lake, Turtleford, Pierceland, Maidstone and Lloydminster areas
Harvest is just beginning in the region as crops are rapidly drying down. One per cent of the crop is now combined, in line with the five-year (2013-2017) average for this time of year. An additional 14 per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut.
No rainfall was reported this past week, although the Neilburg area reported a trace.
The St. Walburg area has received the most precipitation (370 mm) in the region since April 1. Hay fields and pastures in the region are in need of significant rainfall to help them recover from recent hot and dry weather. Pasture conditions are currently rated as two per cent excellent, 30 per cent good, 25 per cent fair, 30 per cent poor and 13 per cent very poor.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 57 per cent adequate, 32 per cent short and 11 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 51 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and 12 per cent very short. Crop District 9AW is reporting that 23 per cent of the cropland and 27 per cent of the hay land and pasture are very short topsoil moisture at this time. Rain would be beneficial to help fill later-seeded crops.
Expected yields range from about average to well above average, all depending on moisture received in the past few months. Most crop damage last week was due to lack of moisture and wind. Some crops have uneven growth, and swathing and desiccation timing will be difficult.
Producers are busy combining, desiccating fields and swathing crops.