Harvest in Saskatchewan virtually complete

Farmers in Saskatchewan are on the verge of wrapping up harvest.

In its weekly crop report, the Ministry of Agriculture said 95 per cent of the crop has been combined — well ahead of the five-year average of 70 per cent for this time of year. Another three per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut.

The ministry said there have been some challenges with crops like canola and flax, which are regrowing across the province.

Producers in the southwest region have combined 98 per cent of their crops, while those in the southeast and west-central regions have 95 per cent done. Farmers in the east-central and northeast regions are at 94 per cent and those in the northwest are 93 per cent complete.

Harvest is nearly complete for cereals, lentils, field peas and chickpeas. Canola (92 per cent), soybeans (89 per cent) and flax (75 per cent) are getting close. An additional six per cent of canola is swathed or ready to straight-cut.

The lack of rain that allowed harvest to progress quickly continues to have a negative impact on topsoil moisture.

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 17 per cent adequate, 50 per cent short and 33 per cent very short, while hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is 10 per cent adequate, 46 per cent short and 44 per cent very short.

Conditions are the worst in the west-central region, where farmers rate 95 per cent of the cropland and 95 per cent of the hay and pasture land as being short or very short.

“Producers are hoping for substantial rainfall prior to freeze-up to ensure adequate moisture levels for next year,” said the report, which added farmers also hope their stubble and crop residues will trap substantial amounts of snow over the winter to help with soil moisture.

Because of that lack of moisture, winter cereals can’t be planted in many areas of the province and fall fertilizer can’t be applied.

Waterfowl, wildlife and wind caused damage to crops, with winds blowing swaths around and shelling out crops.