Southwest farmers are past the 80 per cent mark of harvest

Southwest producers made a 22 per cent jump in harvest operations this past week according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Crop Report for the period of September 4 to 10.

Area farmers have now finished 82 per cent of harvest operations, a jump from the 60 per cent mark from the previous crop report.

Overall, Saskatchewan producers have completed 58 per cent of the harvest, with the Southwest leading the way at 82 per cent and followed by the Southeast at 77 per cent. The West Central region is 53 per cent done harvest, and the East Central area is just slightly behind at 29 per cent. Northern producers still have a lot of crops in the field, with the Northeast just 27 per cent done, and only 16 per cent of fields are combined in the Northwest.

Crop grades are variable across the province, but 60 per cent of the durum is estimated to grade 1CW, while 34 will grade 2CW. An estimated 50 per cent of the pea crop will fall in the 1 CAN grade, while 46 per cent will be 2 CAN. In addition, 46 per cent of the lentil crop is estimated to grade 1 CAN, with 49 per cent falling into the 2 CAN rating.

In the Southwest, producers are well ahead of the five-year average of 53 per cent of harvest being completed.

While widespread rains fell this past week, the Crop Report for September 4 to 10 was reporting cropland topsoil moisture was rated as 57 per cent very short, 39 per cent short, while just four per cent was adequate. Hay land and pasture land was rated as even dryer, with 64 per cent of fields reporting very short conditions, 34 per cent short, and two per cent adequate.

There have been reports of cereal crops being slow to finish out maturity, and being slow to finish off green kernels. In addition, there was some crop damages due to frost and the continued lack of moisture.

Many producers are moving their cattle home from pastures, ending one of the shortest grazing season producers have seen in years.

Saskatchewan Harvest 2018

(as of September 10) per cent combined

Saskatchewan Harvest 2018

(as of September 10)

per cent completed by region Southwest 82 Southeast 77 West Central 53 East Central 49 Northeast 27 Northwest 16

Southwest Crop Conditions Winter Wheat

Combined - 92 per cent.

Ready to Straight Combine - 8 per cent.

Fall Rye

Combined - 82 per cent. Greenfeed/silage - 18 per cent.

Spring Wheat

Combined - 83 per cent.

Ready to Straight Combine - 16 per cent.

Standing - 8 per cent.

In Swath - 0 per cent.

Durum

Combined - 77 per cent.

Ready to Straight Combine - 11 per cent.

Standing - 10 per cent. In Swath - 2 per cent.

Barley

Combined - 77 per cent.

Ready to Straight Combine - 13 per cent.

Standing - 5 per cent. Greenfeed/silage - 5 per cent. In Swath - 0 per cent.

Oats

Combined - 56 per cent.

Standing - 26 per cent. Greenfeed/silage - 11 per cent.

Ready to Straight Combine - 5 per cent.

In Swath - 2 per cent.

Canaryseed

Combined - 42 per cent.

Standing - 28 per cent.

Ready to Straight Combine - 28 per cent.

In Swath - 2 per cent.

Flax

Standing - 67 per cent.

Combined - 22 per cent.

Ready to Straight Combine - 11 per cent.

Canola

Combined - 66 per cent. Standing - 17 per cent.

Ready to Straight Combine - 12 per cent.

In Swath - 5 per cent.

Mustard

Combined - 73 per cent.

Ready to Straight Combine - 14 per cent.

Standing - 13 per cent.

In Swath - 0 per cent.

Soybean

Standing - 60 per cent.

Combined - 29 per cent.

Ready to Straight Combine - 11 per cent.

Field Peas

Combined - 97 per cent.

Ready to Straight Combine - 3 per cent.

Lentils

Combined - 98 per cent.

Ready to Straight Combine - 2 per cent.

Chickpeas

Combined - 61 per cent.

Ready to Straight Combine - 22 per cent.

Standing - 17 per cent.