Thanks to some relatively warm and dry weather, many producers wrapped up harvest this past week. Ninety-four per cent of the crop is now in the bin, up from 89 per cent last week. Harvest progress remains ahead of the five year (2012-2016) average of 90 per cent for this time of year. Most producers with crop remaining in the field have indicated that they only need another week or two of ideal weather to complete harvest. Much of the crop in the last few weeks has come off tough and been placed in aeration bins.
Harvest is essentially complete in the southwestern region, as 99 per cent of the crop is now combined. The southeastern and west-central regions have 97 per cent combined, while the east-central and northeastern regions have 92 per cent. The northwestern region has 87 per cent combined.
Ninety-seven per cent of durum, 96 per cent of barley, 95 per cent of spring wheat, 94 per cent of canaryseed, 93 per cent of canola, 92 per cent of oats, 80 per cent of soybeans and 79 per cent of flax have now been combined.
The majority of the province received little to no moisture last week, although the Foam Lake area reported 43 mm of precipitation. Topsoil moisture conditions remain relatively unchanged from last week. Significant amounts of moisture will be needed to replenish both the topsoil and the subsoil for next spring. Across the province, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as four per cent surplus, 40 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and 12 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 31 per cent adequate, 45 per cent short and 22 per cent very short.
At this time, most livestock producers have indicated having adequate supplies of hay, straw, greenfeed and feed grain heading into winter. However, producers in southern regions are reporting that many areas will have inadequate feed and that shortages are likely.
The majority of crop damage this past week was due to frost, lack of moisture, strong winds and wildlife such as geese and deer.
Producers are busy combining, completing fall work and moving cattle.
Source : Government of Saskatchewan