HUMBOLDT - Harvest has not begun in the region and is likely still one-two weeks away for most producers. Crops were hit with another series of storms this past week which has continued to delay crop maturity. Usually at this time, producers in the northeast would have three percent of their crop harvested according to the five-year average. Many producers hope the weather changes and their crops mature quickly to avoid any complications as they head into the fall.
The northeast region was hit by several large storms that brought heavy rainfall, strong winds and hail, which has left some crops damaged. North of the Humboldt area reported 83 mm of precipitation, the Tisdale area 52 mm and the Prince Albert area 43 mm. Producers would like to see a stoppage in the rain until harvest is over. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 87 per cent adequate and ten per cent short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 86 per cent adequate and 14 per cent short. There are no widespread water shortages reported in the region, but producers have noted that some sloughs that had water this spring are now drying up.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to strong winds and heavy rains lodging crops as well as hailstorms that resulted in pea-sized to golf ball sized hail. Crop damage from the hail has been estimated to be as low as ten per cent for some fields and up to 100 per cent on the hardest hit fields.
