Saskatchewan producers have managed to get more of this year’s harvest in the bin, but some crops are still expected to overwinter regardless.
The province’s final 2019 crop report on Thursday pegged the overall provincial harvest at 93% complete as of Monday, up 10 points from the end of October when the last weekly update was issued. “Harvest operations may continue in parts of the province as weather and field conditions permit,” the report said. “Producers are hopeful that much of the remaining crop will be able to be taken off prior to winter, although there are indications that some of the crop will likely be left out until the spring.”
The east-central region had the most crop remaining in the field as of Monday, with 17% still out. The southeast and northwest regions had 6% of the crop unharvested, while the southwest and west-central still had 3% out. Only 2% of the crop in the northeast was still not combined.
In terms of individual crops, the provincial durum and spring wheat crops were reported at 96% and 94% harvested, respectively, as of Monday, with oats at 95%, barley and canaryseed at 97%, mustard at 98% and canola at 91%. Peas and lentils were both 99% in the bin, along with 97% of the chickpeas. The harvest of flax and soybeans was 79% and 90% complete.
Although crop quality has suffered because of the poor fall weather the report said yields are actually average to above average for most crops. Yields for hard red spring wheat are reported as 45 bu/acre, durum as 39 bu, oats as 88 bu, barley as 66 bu, canola as 38 bu, peas as 38 bu and lentils 1,392 lbs/acre.
Cropland topsoil moisture conditions were rated as 15% surplus, 80% adequate, 4% short and 1% very short as of Monday.
Southeast:
Producers in the southeast region were able to make more harvest progress in November. Most producers have been able to wrap up harvest operations, while a few producers will need the weather to cooperate in order to harvest their remaining crops before winter. Many fields remain wet and some fields may not be harvested until spring. The region has 94 per cent of the crop combined, up from 88 per cent at the end of October.
Crop yields vary across the region and there are reports of higher-than-expected yields. Crop quality across the region is below average for almost all crops due to varying factors such as sprouting, staining and bleaching. Crop that was harvested early on fared better for quality.
Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 36 per cent surplus and 64 per cent adequate.
Crop reporters have indicated that winter wheat and fall rye acres are significantly down from previous years. A late harvest caused fall seeding delays for some producers.
Southwest:
Producers in the region have been able to make more harvest progress in the few past weeks and many were able to get the crop in the bin, while others will need favorable weather to see the end of harvest. There are indications that some crop will likely be left out and combined in the spring. The region has 97 per cent of the crop combined, up from 90 per cent at the end of October.
Crop yields vary greatly throughout the region, although many producers are reporting higher-than expected yields, others are reporting below-average yields. Crop quality varies as well with significant downgrading due to sprouting, bleach and staining.
Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 12 per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate and four per cent short.
Crop reporters have indicated that winter wheat and fall rye acres are down from previous years. A late harvest caused fall seeding delays for some producers.
East-Central:
Some producers in the region were able to return to the field in November and make some harvest progress. Most producers have wrapped up harvest operations while a significant number still need cooperative weather to get the rest of the crop in the bin. Some fields remain wet and there are indications from producers that most of the crop out will be harvested in the spring. The east-central region has the least amount of crop combined in the province at 83 per cent of the crop in the bin. This is up slightly from 82 per cent at the end of October.
Crop yields vary across the region and there are many reports of higher-than-expected yields. Crop quality across the region is poor for almost all crops due to varying factors such as sprouting, staining and bleaching. Crop that was harvested early on fared better for quality.
Heading into winter, cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 18 per cent surplus, 80 per cent adequate and two per cent short.
Crop reporters indicated that winter wheat and fall rye acres are significantly down from previous years. A late harvest caused fall seeding delays for some producers.
West-Central:
Some Producers in the region have been able to return to the field and complete harvest or make progress. While most producers have completed harvest operations, some still need a few good days of combining to get the rest of the crop in the bin. Producers are hopeful to finish harvest in the coming weeks, but it is likely that most of the remaining crop will be combined in the spring. The west-central region has 97 per cent of the crop combined which is slightly up from 96 per cent at the end of October.
Crop yields vary greatly throughout the region; many producers are reporting higher-than expected yields, while others are reporting below-average yields. Crop quality varies as well with significant downgrading due to sprouting, bleach and staining.
Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as one per cent surplus, 89 per cent adequate and 10 per cent short.
Crop reporters have indicated that winter wheat and fall rye acres are down from previous years. A late harvest caused fall seeding delays for some producers.
Northeast:
Some Producers in the region have been able to return to the field and complete harvest or make progress. While most producers have completed harvest operations some still need a few good days of combining to get the rest of the crop in the bin. Producers have indicated that they are hopeful to finish harvest in the coming weeks, but it is likely that most remaining crop will now be combined in the spring. The northeast region leads the province with 98 per cent of the crop combined, up slightly from 96 per cent at the end of October.
Crop yields vary across the region and there are reports of higher-than-expected yields. Crop quality across the region is below average for almost all crops due to varying factors such as sprouting, staining and bleaching. Crop that was able to be harvested early on fared better for quality.
Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 12 per cent surplus, 87 per cent adequate one per cent short.
Crop reporters have indicated that winter wheat and fall rye acres are down from previous years. A late harvest caused fall seeding delays for some producers.
Northwest:
Producers in the northwest region were able to make some harvest progress in November. while most producers have been able to wrap up harvest operations some will need the weather to cooperate to complete harvest before winter. Producers have indicated that while they hope to finish harvest in the coming weeks, it is likely that some crop will be harvested in the spring. The region has 94 per cent of the crop combined, up from 90 per cent at the end of October.
Crop yields vary across the region and there are reports of higher-than-expected yields. Crop quality across the region is below average for almost all crops due to varying factors such as sprouting, staining and bleaching. Crop that was able to be harvested early on fared better for quality.
Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as six per cent surplus, 72 per cent adequate, 13 per cent short and nine per cent very short.
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