In Saskatchewan, rainy, cool weather throughout the province delayed combining progress this week. Even so, overall progress remains far ahead of normal.
An estimated 29% of the Saskatchewan crop was already in the bin as of Monday, up from 20% a week earlier and well ahead of 12% (the five-year average for both), according to the latest weekly crop report on Thursday.
An additional 21% of the 2021 Saskatchewan crop was swathed or ready to straight-combine as of Monday, versus the five-year average of 16%.
Province-wide, 93% of the winter wheat, 78% of the fall rye, 76% of the lentils, 81% of the field peas, 42% of the barley, 31% of the durum, 23% of the oats, 25% of the spring wheat and 6% of the canola has been combined. An additional 30% of canola has been swathed or is ready to straight-cut.
Harvest progress is most advanced in the southern regions. Producers in the southwest region have 43% combined, the southeast region 30%, the west-central 27%, the east-central 22%, the northeast 25% and the northwest 15%.
Several large weather systems moved through the province last week, resulting in significant amounts of precipitation, along with hail in some areas. The rain will result in the downgrading of crops still in the field; however, it will benefit pastures and hopefully will allow them to regrow next year.
Much more rain is needed to break out of the current drought. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 1% surplus, 32% adequate, 37% short and 30% very short. Hay and pastureland topsoil moisture is rated as 23% adequate, 34% short and 42% very short.
Southeast:
Cool, rainy weather across much of the southeast hindered harvest progress over the past week. 30% of the crop is now combined, up from 22% last week and well ahead of the five-year average of 19%. An additional 21% of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut, with the five-year average (2016-2020) being 20%.
Now combined is 93% of the winter wheat, 88% of the field peas, 72% of the lentils, 40% of the barley, 31% of the spring wheat, 37% of the durum and 7% of the canola. An additional 33% of the canola has been swathed or is ready to straight-cut.
Much of the southeast region received good amounts of rain this week, with most of the region receiving about an inch of rain. Even though the rain has delayed harvest, it is a welcomed sight to producers.
Several days of cool, rainy weather has allowed for the region’s topsoil moisture rating to rise significantly. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 5% surplus, 51% adequate, 35% short and 9% very short.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to season-long drought conditions, strong wind and hail, as well as insects such as grasshoppers and flea beetles. The concerns around fire risk in the region because of the hot, dry conditions has been alleviated for the time being by recent rainfall.
Producers are waiting for the crop to dry enough to allow for harvesting activities to resume. They are also assessing the damage from the large storm-systems. Those who got hail might have some fields written off.
Southwest:
Dry, warm conditions have helped producers make progress harvesting this week, with 34% of the crop currently combined. This is up from 12% last week and more than three times the five-year average (2016-2020) of 9% for this time of year. Currently, 17% of the crop has been swathed or is ready to straight-cut; the five-year (2016-2020) average is 11%. 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.
Now combined is 99% of the winter wheat, 74% of the fall rye, 70% of the field peas, 62% of the lentils, 29% of the barley and 15% of the oats. An additional 13% 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 southwest region is extremely dry and pastures across the region are almost completely unusable.
With minimal rain and hot weather continuing this week, topsoil moisture continues to deteriorate. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 2% adequate, 30% short and 68% 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 hot and dry.
East-Central:
22% of the crop is now combined, up from 13% last week and ahead of the five-year average (2016-2020) of 6%. An additional 27% of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut, with the five-year average (2016-2020) being 16%.
91% of the winter wheat, 90% of the fall rye, 89% of the lentils, 69% of the field peas, 45% of the barley, 18% of the durum, 26% of the spring wheat and 4% of the canola is now in the bin. An additional 32% of the canola has been swathed or is ready to straight-cut.
The east-central region received good rainfall this week, with many areas receiving over an inch of rain over just a couple of days.
Topsoil moisture conditions across the region saw a significant increase due to several storms that rolled through. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 48% adequate, 33% short and 19% very short.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to dry conditions, heat and wind. Localized hail accompanied the storms which traversed the region, resulting in a range of damage. Crop quality is expected to be affected now that moisture has been received.
West-Central:
27% of the crop is now combined, up from 18% last week and ahead of the five-year average (2016-2020) of 8%. An additional 17% of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut, in line with the five-year average (2016-2020) of 18%.
79% of the field peas, 73% of the lentils, 21% of the oats, 27% of the barley, 21% of the spring wheat, 13% of the durum and 6% of the canola has been combined. An additional 25% of the canola has been swathed or is ready to straight-cut.
The west-central region received significant amounts of rainfall, ranging from 82 mm in the Cando area to 10 mm in other areas.
Topsoil moisture ratings increased in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is now rated as 24% adequate, 41% short and 35% very short.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to dry conditions, wind and hail. There were reports of a tornado in the region, but no confirmation of damage has been made.
Northeast:
Harvest has started in the region, with field peas, barley, oats and wheat being the first to be combined. 14% of the crop is now combined, enormously ahead of the five-year average of 1%. 21% of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-combine, which is again well ahead of the five-year average of 1% for this time of year. Yields vary greatly across the region, but many producers are finding their yields to be extremely disappointing.
94% of the fall rye, 57% of the field peas, 36% of the lentils, 13% of the oats, 36% of the barley and 14% of the wheat has been combined. 12% of the canola has been swathed.
The northeast region received very little rainfall this week.
Warm, dry conditions this week have reduced topsoil moisture conditions in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 50% short and 50% very short.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to heat and the lack of moisture in most areas of the region. Strong winds and storms blew some swaths around and likely shattered pods of ripe crops.
Fire risk is high, and many producers are taking action to prevent them.
Northwest:
Harvest progress has doubled in the northwest region this week, with 15% of the crop now combined, well ahead of the five-year average of 2%. An additional 29% of the crop is swathed or ready to be straight-cut, with the five-year average being 9%.
82% of the field peas, 29% of the barley, 49% of the lentils and 15% of the spring wheat has been combined. An additional 36% of the canola has been swathed.
Areas around Mayfair received the most rainfall this week, reporting 60 mm. In comparison, The Barthel and Meadow Lake areas received just 9 mm. All the rain is welcome, but there are concerns about crop downgrading.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 27% adequate, 23% short and 50% very short.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to wind, dry conditions, hail and geese. Standing or swathed crops might see a downgrade due to rain.
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