Harvest reaches 43 per cent in the Southwest before August ends

Southwest producers dealt with harvest slowing rainy weather but still lead the province in harvest progress according to the Saskatchewan Agriculture Crop Report for the period of August 17 to 23.

The Southwest has completed 43 per cent of harvest operations, which is nearly double the five year average of 23 per cent completed this time of year. The Southwest is also ahead of all other crop reporting regions in the province (Southeast 30 per cent, West Central 27 per cent, Northeast 25 per cent, East Central 22 per cent, and Northwest 15 per cent).

Seventy-five per cent of the fall rye, 81 per cent of the field peas, 74 per cent of the lentils, 38 per cent of the barley, 51 per cent of the mustard, 21 per cent of the oats, 34 per cent of the durum, 38 per cent of the spring wheat and 15 per cent of the canola is now combined. An additional 11 per cent of the canola has been swathed or is ready to straight-cut.

The Southwest region received a long anticipated significant rainfall in mid August. The Vangaurd area reported 60 millimetres, the Mossbank region received 53 millimetres, and the Hazenmore area benefited from 44 millimetres of precipitation.

However the rainfall was varied in the region, with the crop reporting station in the Gull Lake area recording only 14 millimetres.

Regardless, the rainfall will help pastures recover, and the rainfall and cool weather also helped slightly improve topsoil moisture conditions in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 15 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and 45 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as nine per cent adequate, 29 per cent short and 62 per cent very short.

Pasture conditions in the region are rated as 15 per cent fair, 39 per cent poor and 46 per cent very poor. There are concerns about availability of feed throughout the winter for many livestock producers in the region.

Producers are hoping that the rain will stop for now and resume when harvest is wrapped up so it can help alleviate dry conditions for the pastures next spring.

The majority of crop damage this week was due to lack of moisture, wind and grasshoppers. There were reports of localized hail, as well as a tornado that touched down in the region and damaged yards, bins, machinery and crops.

Southwest Provincial

Southwest Provincial

Southwest Provincial

Southwest Provincial

Southwest Provincial

Southwest Provincial

Southwest Provincial

Southwest Provincial