OUTLOOK - Harvest is essentially complete this week in the west central region, with many producers parking their combines and hoping for moisture to follow, according to the crop report for the period of September 19 to 25. The area is 97 per cent completed harvest, ahead of the five-year average of 75 per cent.
With pulses, fall cereals and spring cereals completed in the region, only a few standing acres remain. Producers are currently cleaning up their canola at 95 per cent complete, mustard at 93 per cent complete, canary seed at 92 per cent complete and flax at 82 per cent complete.
Only trace amounts of rain were reported this week in the region, causing another decrease in topsoil moisture levels. Cropland topsoil is now seven per cent adequate for moisture, 39 per cent short and 54 per cent very short. Two per cent of hay and pastures have adequate topsoil moisture, 27 per cent are short and 71 per cent are very short in moisture. Producers in the region are experiencing water supply shortages for their livestock and are hauling water. Producers are also concerned about the quality of water for their animals.
With the crop mostly off, producers are marketing grain, applying post-harvest herbicides and working their fields before they freeze. Producers are also moving cattle home, hauling water and feed and preparing for winter.
