Early combining started over portions of southern Saskatchewan, prior to extensive rain last weekend.

The Saskatchewan Agriculture weekly crop report indicates between 30 and 80 millimetres brought harvest operations to a halt.

“Quite a general swath through the southeast and southwest got a good shot of rain, which hampers harvest conditions,” says Cory Jacob, an extension specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture.

The harvest south of the TransCanada Highway is already running behind the five year average. About one percent has been combined with another three percent swathed or ready to straight-cut. The five-year average is eight percent combined in the southwest and six percent in the southeast.

The Ministry of Agriculture’s regional crops specialist at Weyburn estimates about five percent of the crop has been combined in her area.

“You are going to get a whole lot more if you go south of town,” says Sherry Roberts. “Down by Oungre and Tribune, I would say most of the peas are off in that area and a huge percentage of lentils But once again, there is going to be a variation because of how the spring went with some guys getting into the field earlier than ever, but then things slowed down.”

At this point, Roberts believes it will be an average to above average crop in the southeast.

Crop development in the rest of the province remains behind normal. Some pre-harvest desiccation has started in central areas.

The majority of hay has been baled and yields were disappointing in many areas due to very dry conditions last year and extending through the spring.

Hay yields on dryland are only about 40 percent of those recorded on irrigated land.

The irrigated hay yields are normal, but very dry conditions over the winter and spring impacted production that depended on mother nature for moisture.

Estimated average dryland hay yields are 0.9 tons per acre for alfalfa; one ton per acre for alfalfa/bromegrass; 0.8 tones per acre for other tame hay; 0.7 acres for wild hay and 1.8 tons per acre for greenfeed.

Estimated average irrigated hay yields are 2.4 tons per acre for alfalfa; 2.2 tons per acre for alfalfa/bromegrass; 1.9 tons per acre for other tame hay; 1.2 tons per acre for wild hay and 3.2 tons per acre for greenfeed.

You can check out the region-by-region crop report below:

SOUTHEAST

Despite the rain delays, harvest is underway in the southeast region. One per cent of the crop is now stored in bins while just over three per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut. This is well-behind the five-year (2014-2018) average which is six per cent combined.

The region reported significant rainfall last week. The Pense area reported the most rainfall at 82 mm. The Lampman area received 45 mm, the Kipling area 33 mm, the Weyburn area 62 mm, the Briercrest area 58 mm, the Odessa area 65 mm and the Radville area up to 60 mm. The Indian Head area has received the most precipitation since April 1 (352 mm). The rainfall may cause downgrading and quality issues in the pulse crops. However, the rainfall will be beneficial to many pastures, hay land and late-seeded crops in the region.

Topsoil moisture conditions have greatly improved with the rainfall. Topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 13 per cent surplus, 83 per cent adequate, three per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated as two per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate, 12 per cent short and two per cent very short.

Most crop damage this past week is attributed to localized flooding and strong winds.

Producers are busy hauling bales, getting equipment ready for harvest, desiccating and combining crops.

The majority of crop damage this week was from strong winds and localized flooding.

Producers are busy hauling bales and grain, getting ready for harvest and desiccating and combining crops.

SOUTHWEST

Rain delays last week have slowed harvest operations in the southwest region. One per cent of the crop has been combined while just over two per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut. This is well-behind the five-year (2014-2018) average for this time of year which is eight per cent combined.

Rainfall in the region ranged from 15 mm in the Gull Lake area to 78 mm in the area south-west of Moose Jaw. The Big Beaver area reported 54 mm, the Limerick area up to 69 mm, the Eyebrow area 41 mm, the Cadillac area 60 mm, the Vanguard area 75 mm, the Webb area 62 mm, the Kyle area 23 mm, the Consul area 24 mm and the Cabri area 25 mm. The area south-west of Moose Jaw has received the most precipitation since April 1 (365 mm). The rainfall may cause downgrading and quality issues in the pulse crops. However, the rainfall was beneficial to many pastures and hay land and late-seeded crops in the region.

Topsoil moisture conditions benefited greatly from the rainfall. Topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as three per cent surplus, 79 per cent adequate, 15 per cent short and three per cent very short. Topsoil moisture on hay land and pasture is rated as 70 per cent adequate, 26 per cent short and four per cent very short.

Crop damage last week was from strong winds and localized flooding.

Producers are busy hauling bales, getting equipment ready for harvest, desiccating and combining crops.

WEST CENTRAL

Harvest operations are just beginning in the region. Producers are reporting that some winter cereal crops are swathed and ready to straight-cut as well as pulse crops being desiccated. Harvest is expected to be general in the region in the coming weeks.

Scattered rain showers fell across the region last week and ranged from nil to 35 mm in the Tugaske area. The Outlook area reported up to 9 mm, the Dinsmore area 13 mm, the Smiley area 8 mm, and the Kindersley, Kerrobert, Battleford and Phippen areas 2 mm. The Dinsmore area has received the most precipitation since April 1 (278 mm).

Topsoil moisture conditions slightly changed from the previous week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 61 per cent adequate, 36 per cent short and three per cent very short, while hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 58 per cent adequate, 38 per cent short and four per cent very short.

Crop damage this week was caused by strong winds, hail and a lack of moisture.

Producers are busy getting ready for harvest and desiccating pulse crops.

EAST CENTRAL

Harvest operations are just starting in the region. There are reports of winter cereal crops that are swathed and ready to straight-cut as well as pulse crops being desiccated. General harvest in the region is expected in the coming weeks.

Some areas in the region received rainfall last week that ranged from trace amounts to 72 mm in the Lumsden area. The Rocanville area reported 22 mm, the Lipton area 32 mm, the Ituna area up to 38 mm, the Elfros area 5 mm, the Earl Grey area 20 mm, the Holdfast area 19 mm and the Kenaston area 16 mm. The Ituna area has received the most precipitation since April 1 (333 mm). The rainfall may cause downgrading and quality issues in the pulse crops. However, the rainfall was beneficial to many pastures and hay land and late-seeded crops in the region.

Cropland topsoil moisture improved with the rainfall. Across the region, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 77 per cent adequate and 21 per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 63 per cent adequate and 35 per cent short and two per cent very short at this time.

The sources of crop damage this week were strong winds and a lack of moisture.

Producers are getting equipment prepared for harvest and hauling grain and bales.

NORTHEAST

Producers in the region expect to well underway harvest in the coming weeks. As indicated by producers there are reports of some pea crops being desiccated and winter cereal crops that are swathed and ready to straight-cut.

The majority of the region received little rainfall this past week. Rainfall ranged from nil in many parts of the region to 6 mm in the Tisdale area. The Porcupine Plain and Spruce Home areas reported 5 mm, the Melfort area 3 mm, the Arborfield area 1 mm and the Lake Lenore area 2 mm. The Lake Lenore area has received the most precipitation since April 1 (266 mm).

Topsoil moisture slightly deteriorated last week from a lack of rainfall, which would be beneficial to pastures and hay land. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 86 per cent adequate and 12 per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 74 per cent adequate, 23 per cent short and two per cent very short.

Favourable weather has allowed livestock producers to make significant haying progress.

Producers indicated no sources of significant crop damage this past week.

Farmers are busy haying, hauling grain, getting equipment ready for harvest and desiccating crops.

NORTHWEST

Regionally, producers expect to begin harvest in the coming weeks as crops mature. There are reports of pulse crops starting to show signs of maturing in the region.

The majority of the region received little rainfall this past week. Rainfall ranged from trace amounts up to 6.5 mm in the Neilburg area. The Duck Lake and Frenchman Butte areas reported 3 mm, the Mayfair and Turtleford areas 2 mm, the Glaslyn area 1 mm, trace amounts were received in the Prince Albert and Borden areas. The Turtleford area has received the most precipitation since April 1 (357 mm).

Topsoil moisture conditions slightly declined from the previous week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 89 per cent adequate and 10 per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 79 per cent adequate and 21 per cent short.

Co-operative weather has allowed many livestock producers to make good haying progress.

Producers indicated no sources of significant crop damage this past week.

Farmers are busy haying, hauling grain and getting equipment ready for harvest.