YORKTON — Plentiful early-season moisture and timely rains in parts of East-central Saskatchewan resulted in a decent year for crop and livestock producers. East-central Saskatchewan received a lot of rainfall throughout May which delayed seeding efforts for many producers and flooded some crops. There were some concerns about too much moisture in May and June, but the dry summer months proved to be valuable for crops. There were some harvest delays from rainfall as well, but 99 per cent of crops are off now.
Some crops were stressed early in the season from excessive moisture, disease and cool temperatures, but warm weather in July allowed crops to quickly develop. Regardless, crop yields for all crop types were greater than average provincial yields and most producers are satisfied with their yields. Oilseed and pulse crop quality was very good this year as almost all these crops were graded in the two highest categories. Spring cereal grades were also good, as most of these crops were in the 1 CW or 2 CW grades.
Seeded acres of fall rye in the east-central saw a one per cent decrease from last year, but this region had a significant decline in winter wheat acres. Seeded acres of winter wheat this year dropped by 10 per cent compared to last year, which is the largest winter wheat decline in Saskatchewan.
Silage producers had a good year as average yields for the east-central was 7.17 tons per acre. Likewise, hay yields were above provincial averages which helps livestock producers secure feed supplies heading into winter. Greenfeed yielded the highest for dryland hay at 2.97 tons per acre, followed by brome hay at 2.08 tons per acre, baled forage at 2.03 tons per acre, alfalfa at 1.82 tons per acre and tame hay yielding 1.81 tons per acre. The west part of this region has a lot of irrigated acres and hay crops on these acres yielded very well. Irrigated greenfeed yielded 3.48 tons per acre, brome hay yielded 3.3 tons per acre, baled forage yielded 3.15 tons per acre, alfalfa yielded 3.14 tons per acre and tame hay yielded 3.12 tons per acre. Hay quality for the first cut was mainly good. Twenty-two per cent of hay was excellent, 64 per cent was good and 14 per cent was fair. Producers that were able to get a second cut described the quality anywhere from fair to excellent. Hay prices in this region vary when compared to average provincial prices. Alfalfa and standing hay prices are similar to average provincial prices. Brome and greenfeed prices are quite a bit lower than provincial averages, while straw prices are nearly $20 more per ton.
There has been limited rainfall over the last few weeks in the east-central region, which continues to cause soil moisture levels to slowly diminish. Cropland topsoil moisture is currently 58 per cent adequate, 31 per cent short and 11 per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is 49 per cent adequate, 36 per cent short and 15 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 43 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and 17 per cent very short. Additionally, one per cent of pastures are in excellent condition, 44 per cent are in good condition, 29 per cent are fair, 14 per cent are poor and 12 per cent are in very poor condition. Soil moisture conditions in the east-central are better than southern regions, but producers would like to see more rain prior to freeze up.
Producers are currently wrapping up field work for the year as winter is right around the corner. They are busy hauling grain and applying anhydrous ammonia in fields with adequate moisture.
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