Saskatchewan producers took full advantage of mostly dry weather this past week, pushing the provincial harvest to easily its fastest pace in recent memory
An estimated 20% of the Saskatchewan crop was already in the bin as of Monday, up from 7% a week earlier and well ahead of 4% for both the five- and 10-year average, according to the latest weekly crop report on Thursday. Last year’s harvest was also 4% complete at this time. Up until this year, the most harvest progress at this point in the year was in 2017 when 7% of the crop was off.
An additional 5% of the 2021 Saskatchewan crop was swathed and 14% ready to straight combine as of Monday, versus the five-year average of 7%.
Some producers have indicated that yields are worse than they expected, while those who got timely rains are reporting they are seeing yields closer to average, the report said.
An estimated 34% of the crop in the southwest region was been combined as of Monday, followed by 22% in the southeast, 13% in the east central, 18% in the west central, 14% in the northeast and 7% in the northwest. Some producers in the southern regions of the province are already reportedly more than halfway done their harvest.
In terms of individual crops, 83% of the winter wheat, 75% of the fall rye, 64% of the field peas and lentils, 25% of the barley and 13% of spring wheat has been combined. An additional 12% of canola was swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Few areas of the province received any significant rainfall this past week, with the most falling in the Lipton area where 20 mm was recorded. The rain will not make any difference in the crop yield for this year, the report said, although it added that producers were happy to finally see rain. “Pastures that no longer have cattle on them will benefit from the rain and have a chance to recover from the severe drought conditions of the season.”
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 4% adequate, 29% short and 67% very short as of Monday, compared to 6% adequate, 32% short and 62% very short a week earlier.
Crop damage causes this week remain the same with the majority from wind, heat, drought stress, gophers and insects such as grasshoppers and flea beetles.
Southeast:
There has been great harvest progress in the region this past week thanks to favorable conditions. Currently, twenty-two per cent of the crop has been combined, up from eight per cent last week and far ahead of the five-year average (2016-2020) for this time of year of seven per cent. Seventeen per cent of the crops in the region have been swathed or are ready to straight cut, with the five-year average (2016-2020) being ten per cent. Yields across the region vary greatly with many producers seeing yields lower than anticipated while those who got good rains are realizing yields closer to average.
Eighty per cent of the winter wheat, 59 per cent of the fall rye, 76 per cent of the field peas, 91 per cent of the lentils and 28 per cent of the barley are now combined. Additionally, two per cent of the canola has been combined and 21 per cent is swathed or ready to be straight cut. Some of the barley and oat crops are being harvested for greenfeed.
Parts of the southeast region, specifically in the eastern areas, received rain this past week. Areas around Moosomin received the most rain in the province with 10 mm. Topsoil moisture conditions have deteriorated in the region this week, even though some areas saw rain. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 12 per cent adequate, 29 per cent short and 59 per cent very short.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to wind, lack of moisture, heat and grasshoppers. There were reports of flea beetle and hail damage in the region as well.
Southwest:
Dry, warm conditions have helped producers make progress harvesting this week, with 34 per cent of the crop currently combined. This is up from 12 per cent last week and more than three times the five-year average (2016-2020) of nine per cent for this time of year. Currently, 17 per cent of the crop has been swathed or is ready to straight-cut; the five-year (2016-2020) average is 11 per cent. The severe drought and extreme heat caused significant yield and quality loss in the region. Producers are discovering that yields are lower than they anticipated and many fields were written off where rainfall was not received.
Ninety-nine per cent of the winter wheat, seventy-four per cent of the fall rye, 70 per cent of the field peas, 62 per cent of the lentils, 29 per cent of the barley and 15 per cent of the oats are now combined. An additional 13 per cent of the canola has been swathed or is ready to straight-cut.
There was almost no rainfall received in the southwest region this past week. The Rockglen area received the most rain in the region with just five mm. With minimal rain and hot weather continuing this week, topsoil moisture continues to deteriorate. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent adequate, 30 per cent short and 68 per cent very short.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to heat, dry conditions, wind, wildlife, grasshoppers and some reports of flea beetles. There were also reports of localized hail damage. Producers have noted concerns about fire hazards in the area with it being so dry and hot.
East-Central:
Currently thirteen per cent of the crop is combined in the region, which is ahead of the five-year average for this time of year of two per cent. 18 per cent of the crop has been swathed or is ready to straight-cut which is over three times the five-year average (2016-2020) of five per cent. Some canola swaths have been scattered across fields after a strong wind storm blew through. Harvest of short crops has been a challenge and yields of most crops are less than average.
Eighty-five per cent of the fall rye, 73 per cent of the winter wheat, 65 per cent of the field peas, 80 per cent of the lentils and 24 per cent of the barley has been combined. An additional 16 per cent of the canola has been swathed or is ready to be straight cut.
The Lipton area received the most rain with 20 mm. Topsoil moisture has declined slightly this week as rainfall in the region was not widespread enough to make a significant difference. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent adequate, 27 per cent short and 71 per cent very short.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to drought stress and strong winds. There have also been reports of localized hail in the region.
West-Central:
Eighteen per cent of the crop has been combined in the west-central region, which is well advanced of the five-year average (2016-2020) of two per cent for this time of year. Twenty-four per cent of the crop has been swathed or is ready to straight-cut, with the five-year average being six per cent. Heat and dry conditions have been noted to have effected development of crops at critical times during the season and have resulted in very poor crops and disappointing yields. Many cereal and pulse fields have been written off and were either baled or put into silage.
Eighty-two per cent of the fall rye, 32 per cent of the oats, 59 per cent of the field peas and 45 per cent of the lentils have been combined. An additional six per cent of the canola has been swathed.
Very few areas in the west central region received rain this week. The Smiley area received the most with 13 mm. The region has struggled all season long under severe drought conditions and the effects are apparent in both annual crops and pastures; a large amount of rain is needed in the fall to correct the moisture deficit.
There was very little change in the conditions of topsoil moisture in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent adequate, 17 per cent short and 82 per cent very short.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to lack of moisture, heat and wind. There has also been damage caused by grasshoppers and flea beetles that are eating any remaining green crops. Strong winds ripped through parts of the region resulting in crop loss due to shattering of pods.
Dugouts across the region are drying up and livestock producers are scrambling to find and transport water to their stock. Livestock producers are also actively baling any feed that is available to them to ensure adequate winter feed stocks.
Northeast:
Harvest has started in the region with field peas, barley, oats and wheat being the first to be combined. Fourteen per cent of the crop is now combined, enormously ahead of the five-year average of one per cent. Twenty-one per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight combine which is again well ahead of the five-year average of one per cent for this time of year. Yields vary greatly across the region but many producers are finding their yields to be extremely disappointing.
Ninety-four per cent of the fall rye, 57 per cent of the field peas, 36 per cent of the lentils, 13 per cent of the oats, 36 per cent of the barley and 14 per cent of the wheat has been combined. Twelve per cent of the canola has been swathed.
The northeast region received very little rainfall this week. The Spruce Home area received the highest amount of rain with 15 mm. Warm, dry conditions this week have reduced topsoil moisture conditions in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 50 per cent short and 50 per cent very short.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to heat and lack of moisture in most areas of the region. Strong winds storms blew some swaths around and likely shattered pods of ripe crops.
Northwest:
Harvest is progressing well throughout the region with seven per cent of the crop now combined and in the bin, this is ahead of the five-year average of one per cent. Another 17 per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to be straight-cut which is far ahead of the five-year average of two per cent. The hot dry growing season has dried down crops much faster than a normal year and has allowed harvest to progress at unprecedented speeds. Harvest has just become general in the region but yields are already being reported as lower than average.
Sixty-five per cent of the fall rye, 48 per cent of field peas, 35 per cent of lentils, five per cent of the barley and eight per cent of the spring wheat has been combined to date. Swathing of canola has begun with 12 per cent now swathed and another six per cent waiting to be straight-cut.
There was very little rain received this week in the northwest region, ranging from nil to 17 mm in the Duck Lake area. Minimal rainfall has resulted in reduced topsoil moisture conditions in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent adequate, 27 per cent short and 71 per cent very short.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to heat, wind, wildlife and grasshoppers.
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