Harvest is well underway across the province with 33 per cent of the crop in the bin, up from 21 per cent last week. The Saskatchewan Agriculture Crop Report says farmers are ahead of the five-year average for this time of year, which is just 20 per cent.

The southwest region is making the most headway, as producers are already 60 per cent complete harvest. On the other side of the spectrum, producers in the north are just 8 per cent complete, due to a moisture-induced pause in combining. The west-central is near the half-way point, with 39 per cent of crop off for the year.

All crops have begun to reach maturity at this stage, allowing producers to harvest all varieties. Fall cereals are almost completely in the bin, with 96 per cent of fall rye and 89 per cent of winter wheat already off. When it comes to spring seeded crops, lentils and field peas are leading the way, with 80 per cent of each crop harvested.
Spring cereals were being tackled last week, as 48 per cent of durum, 46 per cent of barley, 26 per cent of spring wheat and 19 per cent of oats harvested. Cropland topsoil moisture ratings are improving as recent rains seep into the ground, especially in the east of the province. The Bankend area received 50 mm and the Tisdale area received 34 mm.

Currently, cropland is 32 per cent adequate for moisture, 43 per cent short and 24 per cent very short. Hay and pastureland are feeling the effects of drought a little more, and is 22 per cent adequate for moisture, 49 per cent short and 29 per cent very short.
Damages to crops last week came from mostly environmental factors including wind, drought, hail, and flooding. Geese have also returned to the fields, causing damage to crop alongside gophers and grasshoppers.

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

For the Period August 22 to 28, 2023

With the rain staying out of the southeast for a few days, producers in the region were able to make great progress with harvest. Harvest in the southeast is now 35 per cent complete, ahead of the five-year average of 31 per cent.

Producers in the region have made significant progress in their fall cereals. Winter wheat is now 80 per cent complete and fall rye is 93 per cent complete. Field peas and lentils are also nearing completion, with 82 per cent of field peas and 78 per cent of lentils harvested for the year. Regarding spring seeded cereals; 38 per cent of spring wheat, 41 per cent of durum, 51 per cent of barley and 33 per cent of oats are harvested in the region. Mustard leads oilseed progress, with 49 per cent of the crop in the bin. Ten per cent of canola has been harvested so far.

A few scattered showers made it through the region. The Tantallon area received the most moisture with 27 mm reported. Soil moisture in the region diminished a little this week; 28 per cent of crop land has adequate moisture, 39 per cent is short and 33 per cent is very short. Sixteen per cent of hay and pasture land has adequate moisture, 53 per cent is short and 32 per cent is very short.

Crop damage this past week is mostly due to drought and grasshoppers with some reports of wind damage. Producers are busy with harvest and are working cattle. With the crops coming off quickly, many producers are hoping late season rains will come and replenish soil moisture.

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

For the Period August 22 to 28, 2023

The southwest region continues to lead harvest progress this week with 60 per cent of this year’s crop harvested. The area is ahead of the five-year average of 46 per cent.

Producers have wrapped up their fall cereal harvest this past week and now have 95 per cent of winter wheat and all of fall rye harvested for year. Twenty-seven per cent of fall rye was harvested for feed. Field peas and lentils continue to lead pulse harvest progress, with 88 per cent of peas and 85 per cent of lentils harvested. Mustard continues to lead oilseed progress, with 65 per cent of this year’s crop in the bin. Thirty-three per cent of canola has been harvested so far. Currently, producers are focusing on harvesting spring seeded cereals. Forty-eight per cent of spring wheat, 56 per cent of durum, 77 per cent of barley and 60 per cent of oats have been harvested for the year.

A few scattered showers moved through the region this week; however, little moisture relief was provided. The Cabri area received 28 mm this week. Overall, topsoil moisture declined this week, with 61 per cent of crop land short in topsoil moisture and 39 per cent very short. Fifty-three per cent of hay and pastures are short in moisture and 47 per cent are very short.

Crop damage this week is primarily due to drought stress as well as grasshopper and gopher pressure. Producers are busy combining, desiccating and hauling water and feed for their livestock. Many producers are hoping for long, slow rains once the rest of the crop is off.

Crop District 5 – Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville and Kelvington areas;
Crop District 6A – Lumsden, Craik, Watrous and Clavet areas

For the Period August 22 to 28, 2023

After some rain delays, conditions have improved and harvest is once again in full swing. Crops in the region are now 19 per cent harvested, ahead of the five-year average of 15 per cent.

Producers have made great progress in their fall cereals this week and have 96 per cent of winter wheat and fall rye in the bin for the year. Field peas are 82 per cent harvested and lentils are 77 per cent harvested for the year. Mustard leads oilseed progress with 32 per cent of the crop in the bin, ahead of canola at four per cent and flax at two per cent. Producers are mainly focusing on spring seeded cereals right now, 39 per cent of barley, 13 per cent of spring wheat, 11 per cent of durum and six per cent of oats are harvested for the year.

Scattered showers moved through the region this week. The Bankend area received the most rain, with 50 mm recorded. This moisture helped replenish soil moisture and 54 per cent of crop land now has adequate moisture, 33 per cent is short and 13 per cent is very short. In pastures and hay land, 37 per cent have adequate soil moisture, 50 per cent is short and 13 per cent is very short.

Crop damage this past week is primarily due to drought stress and grasshopper damage, with localized flooding and wind damage reported. Producers are busy desiccating and combining mature crops, while others are hauling feed and water for livestock.

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

For the Period August 22 to 28, 2023

As the dry conditions persist in the west-central region, producers have been able to progress through harvest with minimal interruption. Harvest is now 39 per cent complete, ahead of the five-year average of 25 per cent.

Producers in the region have completed their fall cereal harvest. Twelve per cent of fall rye was harvested for greenfeed and/or sileage. Field peas and lentils lead pulse harvest at 81 per cent and 74 per cent. Mustard is at 32 per cent and canola is at complete15 per cent. Spring cereals have been the focus of harvest this week, with 37 per cent of spring wheat, 35 per cent of durum, 46 per cent of oats and 57 per cent of barley have been harvested.

A few scattered showers moved through the region this week, the Hanley area reporting the most rain received at 25 mm. A slight reprieve was seen in topsoil moisture this week. Eighteen per cent of crop land has adequate moisture, 51 per cent is short and 31 per cent is very short. Nine per cent of hay and pastures have adequate moisture, 37 per cent is short and 53 per cent is very short.

Crop damage this past week is due to drought stress and grasshoppers. Producers are busy desiccating and harvesting, working livestock and hauling water and feed. Producers are hoping for slow, soaking rains once the crops are off to improve soil moisture for the next growing season.

Crop District 8 – Hudson Bay, Tisdale, Melfort, Carrot River, Humboldt, Kinistino, Cudworth and Aberdeen areas;
Crop District 9AE – Prince Albert, Choiceland and Paddockwood areas

For the Period August 22 to 28, 2023

The northeast region now has 13 per cent of this year’s harvest completed, slightly ahead of the five-year average of 12 per cent. Producers have been able to make the most of a few days without moisture in the region.

With the fall cereals harvested for the year, producers are making headway in their field peas at 58 per cent harvested and lentils are virtually complete. Spring cereals are the primary focus of harvest in the region right now, with 44 per cent of durum, 36 per cent of barley, 15 per cent of spring wheat and nine per cent of oats harvested. Minimal harvest progress has been made in oilseed crops.

A few scattered showers moved through the northeast this week, with the Tisdale area reporting 34 mm. An increase in topsoil moisture was reported this week, with three per cent of crop land having a surplus of topsoil moisture, 77 per cent is adequate, 19 per cent is short and two per cent is very short. Five per cent of hay and pastures have a surplus of moisture, 67 per cent is adequate, 27 per cent is short and one per cent is very short.

Crop damage this past week is mostly due to wind and drought damage, with some localized flooding. Producers are busy desiccating and combining crops, while working livestock and hauling bales.

Crop District 9AW – Shellbrook, North Battleford, Big River and Hafford areas;
Crop District 9B – Meadow Lake, Turtleford, Pierceland, Maidstone and Lloydminster areas

For the Period August 22 to 28, 2023

Harvest is eight per cent complete in the region, which is just below the five-year average of nine per cent. Producers are wrapping up desiccating as harvest is entering full swing.

Producers have shifted their focus from fall rye, which is 94 per cent harvested, to their spring seeded crops this week. Field peas are 56 per cent harvested for the year and 85 per cent of lentils are in the bin for the year. Spring cereals are just starting to go through the combine and are being led by barley with 10 per cent of the crop harvested. Two per cent of flax and canola have been harvested for the year.

This week, the most rain received was in the Turtleford area at 21 mm. Soil moisture remains relatively unchanged this week, with 45 per cent of crop land having adequate moisture, 49 per cent is short and seven per cent is very short. Thirty-six per cent of hay and pastures have adequate soil moisture, 52 per cent is short and 12 per cent is very short.

Crop damage this week is due to localized flooding, wind damage and geese in the fields. Producers are busy swathing canola, combining, and hauling water and feed for livestock.