Harvest progress ‘significantly below’ five-year average: Crop report

While farmers were able to make harvest progress under dry conditions last week, recent rainfall and hail in various parts of the province have since limited progress.

Harvest work is continuing where conditions permit, according to the latest provincial crop report shared Thursday.

Spanning the period from Aug. 25-31, the province reported that harvest is just 18 per cent complete in Saskatchewan. The number represents a seven per cent increase since last week, but progress is “significantly behind” the five-year average of 39 per cent and the 10-year average of 34 per cent, the province reported.

Read more:

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• Farmers say southeast Sask. rain won’t dampen start of harvest

“Producers remain optimistic that favourable weather conditions will support further harvest progress,” the weekly crop report stated.

Later in the week, “significant precipitation was reported in many areas,” with the Prairie Rose area receiving the most rainfall at 136 millimetres. The Fertile Belt area registered 125 mm, followed by the Langenburg (113 mm) and Sasman (96 mm) areas.

However, topsoil moisture conditions across much of Saskatchewan reportedly improved with the widespread rainfall.

The province reported that cropland topsoil moisture is now 11 per cent surplus, 64 per cent adequate, 20 per cent short and five per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is at seven per cent surplus, 63 per cent adequate, 23 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Meanwhile, pasture topsoil moisture is four per cent surplus, 56 per cent adequate, 28 per cent short and 12 per cent very short.

Harvest work is progressing, with winter cereals, pulses and other early-seeded crops being put in the bin. Winter wheat is 74 per cent harvested and fall rye is at 88 per cent. Of oilseed crops, mustard is 25 per cent harvested, flax is one per cent harvested, soybeans are seven per cent harvested and canola is four per cent harvested.

Among spring cereals, triticale is at 68 per cent, barley is at 32 per cent, durum is at 20 per cent, spring wheat is at six per cent, oats are at 12 per cent and canary seed is four per cent in the bin. Progress harvesting pulses includes 72 per cent of lentils, 66 per cent of field peas and seven per cent of chickpeas harvested.

“The significant variation in growing conditions across Saskatchewan resulted in a wide range of yield estimates for all crops. Producers throughout the province continue to report considerable yield variability due to the dynamic nature of the growing season,” this week’s report stated.

At present, provincial average yield estimates are: 52 bushels per acre for hard red spring wheat, 44 bushels per acre for durum, 94 bushels per acre for oats, 74 bushels per acre for barley, 41 bushels per acre for triticale, 38 bushels per acre for canola, 26 bushels per acre for flax and 39 bushels per acre for field peas. In pounds per acre, lentil yields are estimated at 1,361, mustard at 1,129, canary seed at 1,266 and chickpea at 1,501.

Crop yields in many areas of Saskatchewan will be impacted by weather conditions during the growing season, the report stated. Over the past week, wind, rain and some localized flooding contributed to crop damage. The province reported that Sclerotinia stem rot damage was also found in some canola, in regions where there were high precipitation levels during the growing season.

“Producers are actively working on combining, swathing and desiccating crops seeded later in the season. They are also busy baling and hauling straw, as well as transporting grain,” the report stated. “Additionally, some producers have started making projections and plans for fall fieldwork to prepare the land for next season.”

The province reminded producers to ensure safe operating practices are followed during harvest and encouraged them to “remain vigilant while working in the field.”

That includes ready access to fire suppression resources and precautions around power lines to reduce risks during the harvest season. Members of the public are also encouraged to be cautious and provide plenty of space when approaching or passing farm machinery on roads.

Confidential support is available to producers through the Farm Stress Line, toll-free at 1-800-667-4442.