ESTEVAN — As producers continue to get harvest equipment ready and desiccate pulse crops within the region, some harvesting has started. The region currently sits at one per cent of harvest complete for the year
Producers have been making progress harvesting winter cereals and pulse crops within the region. Currently, 23 per cent of the fall rye crop has been harvested, along with six per cent of the winter wheat crop. Fifteen per cent of field peas have been harvested within the region, followed by 10 per cent harvested for both lentils and chickpeas. Five per cent of the barley crop has been harvested as feed. A full summary of individual crop harvest progress for all regions can be viewed in the attached harvest progress table.
Producers are finishing their haying operations in the region with no second cut potential this year due to the lack of rainfall. Dryland alfalfa yields are estimated to be 2.46 tons per acre with greenfeed estimated at 2.31 tons per acre and tame hay estimated at 1.62 tons per acre. Irrigated alfalfa is estimated to be 2.50 tons per acre. Silage yields are estimated to be 6.88 tons per acre within the region.
Rain was variable across the region over the past week with most areas receiving little to no rainfall. The highest rainfall recorded over the past week fell in the Balcarres area at 20 mm followed by the Esterhazy area at 12 mm and the Ituna area at 10 mm. Although rainfall would be too late for advanced crops, producers within the region would welcome rain to help with grain fill and bushel weight on later seeded crops.
With the persistent dry and hot conditions, topsoil moisture continues to decline. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 26 per cent adequate, 53 per cent short and 21 per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at 25 per cent adequate, 55 per cent short and 20 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 20 per cent adequate, 57 per cent short and 23 per cent very short.
The lack of moisture and heat continues to be the main causes of crop damage throughout the region. Wind, aphids, gophers and grasshoppers also caused crop damage over the past week with overall minor damage reported. As canola continues to mature, producers are observing sclerotinia stem rot emerging in their fields along with aborted pod development due to the extreme heat encountered during flowering.
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