Dry conditions last week allowed growers to make significant harvest progress in all areas of the province.
The latest crop report from Saskatchewan Agriculture indicates 61 per cent of the provincial crop had been combined as of Monday, up from 42 per cent the previous week.
The southwest is furthest advanced with 85 per cent combined. The southeast and west-central regions are both past the halfway point at 65 and 54 per cent respectively. The northwest is 49 per cent done, east-central 46 per cent and the northeast 34 per cent harvested.
Breaking it down by crop—peas and lentils are pretty much done with durum 83 per cent harvested, barley 70 per cent, spring wheat 60 per cent, oats 53 per cent and canaryseed 32 per cent harvested. Moving to the oilseeds—mustard is 84 per cent combined, canola 28 per cent and flax 22 per cent. There is an even split of canola that is ready to straight cut, in the swath and still standing. (24 per cent each)
Volunteer crop reporters were asked to assess crop quality for peas, lentils, barley and durum. There is variability depending on summer precipitation. Producers have indicated good crop quality in some areas, but there are an increasing number of growers who are concerned with light bushel weights and small seed size.
The majority of peas—59 per cent—are forecast to grade number two with 39 per cent number one. A very similar story for lentils with 69 percent number 2 and 25 percent number one. Durum is forecast to grade 28 per cent number one, 36 per cent number two and 23 per cent number three. As for barley, 27 per cent should meet malting standards, with 48 per cent number one and 25 per cent number two or sample.
There was very little rain last week with the largest amount at Meadow Lake with 16 millimetres, while North Battleford and Yellow Creek had 10 millimetres each..
Topsoil moisture conditions continue to decline—with provincial cropland one per cent surplus, 33 per cent adequate, 43 per cent short and 23 per cent very short. Fall precipitation is needed to most areas for cropland, hayland and pastures. The west-central region is drier than the provincial average with only 17 per cent of cropland with adequate topsoil moisture, 51 per cent short and 40 per cent very short. The best moisture conditions are in the northeast at 45 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and eight percent very short.
Grasshoppers are sticking around in some areas with minor to moderate crop damage reported.
There are several maps and charts below with more detailed information about the various regions.
