Cool and wet weather during the week slowed down harvest operations. Sixty per cent of the 2015 crop is now combined and 28 per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture鈥檚 Weekly Crop Report. The five-year (2010-2014) average for this time of year is 56 per cent combined and 27 per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Regionally, producers in the southwest are furthest advanced, having 81 per cent of the crop combined. Producers in the southeast have 79 per cent combined. Fifty-two per cent of the crop is combined in the west-central region; 47 per cent in the east-central region; 32 per cent in the northwest; and 34 per cent in the northeast.
Rainfall this past week ranged from trace amounts to nearly two inches in northern regions. Provincially, topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 11 per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate, seven per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated as three per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate, 13 per cent short and two per cent very short.
Some areas experienced frost, although damage is minimal in most cases as crops were mature. However, weather-related quality issues such as bleaching and sprouting continue to cause concern in some areas. While overall yields are reported to be about average, they vary from region to region.聽 Crop damage this past week was mainly attributed to rain, wind and flooding.
Provincially, seven per cent of the pasture is reported to be in excellent condition while 52 per cent is in good condition, 34 per cent fair, six per cent poor and one per cent in very poor condition.
The Ministry of Agriculture has a Forage, Feed and Custom Service listing for producers to advertise and source feed products. It is available at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/FeedForageListing.
Farmers are busy with harvest operations, fall spraying, machinery repairs, and hauling grain and bales.
Follow the 2015 Crop Report on Twitter at @SKAgriculture.
