Harvest begins on some Saskatchewan farms while other producers hope for rain

Harvest is underway on some Saskatchewan farms after hot and dry conditions helped speed up crop development in some regions.

According to the latest crop report from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, which covered the week ending on Monday, early seeded and winter cereal crops are reaching maturity in many areas, particularly in the southwest, and harvest is already two per cent complete across the province. But while some farmers have already fired up their combines, the ministry said producers in other areas are hoping for rain to help fill in their later-seeded acres.

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While conditions over the past week were largely dry, causing minor-to-moderate crop damage in some areas, the province did see some scattered precipitation. The Milden area received the most rain, with 31 millimetres. The Beaver River area was close behind, with 28mm, followed by Invermay where 20mm of rain fell.

Provincially, topsoil moisture in cropland was rated as two per cent surplus, 56 per cent adequate, 33 per cent short and nine per cent very short. In hayland, topsoil moisture was sitting at two per cent surplus, 56 per cent adequate, 34 per cent short and eight per cent very short. In pastures, topsoil moisture was rated as two per cent surplus, 45 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and 12 per cent very short.

“Many pastures are in good to fair condition, but a small portion is rated as in poor condition due to limited precipitation in certain areas,” the ministry wrote in its report.

“Currently, six per cent of pastures are in excellent condition, 53 per cent are good, 33 per cent are fair, seven per cent are poor, and one per cent is in very poor condition.”

Most crops were rated as normal for this time of year, the ministry said. For fall cereals, four per cent of the province’s crops were ahead of their normal development while 10 per cent were behind. Seven per cent of spring cereals were ahead, with 22 per cent behind. When it comes to oilseeds, the ministry said six per cent were ahead while 29 per cent were behind. Ten per cent of pulse crops were ahead of their normal development, with 13 per cent behind. For perennial forages, two per cent were ahead with 15 per cent behind, and for annual forages one per cent were ahead with 21 per cent behind.

The ministry noted that farm equipment will become a common sight on the province’s roads and highways as harvest kicks off, and reminded drivers to use caution around any large machinery. Producers were also reminded to take precautions against the risk of fires during harvest operations.