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UNITY — As harvest progresses within theWest-Central region, producers are also busy with equipment maintenance, desiccating, swathing, hauling bales and completing haying.

Producers have expressed concerns with yield and bushel weight impacts from the lack of rain and heat damage occurring throughout the region. Although rain is too late to be beneficial for most crops, producers are hopeful for rain following harvest to help replenish soil moisture conditions.

Currently, the west-central region is five per cent complete harvest. This is behind the five-year average of 13 per cent and 10-year average of 10 per cent for the region.

Within the west-central region, 50 per cent of fall rye has been harvested and 26 per cent of winter wheat. For spring seeded cereal crops, 18 per cent of oats have been harvested for feed with two per cent of barley harvested and one per cent of durum. For pulse crops within the region, 24 per cent of field peas are harvested followed by 22 per cent of lentils. For oilseed crops, both canola and mustard sit at one per cent harvested within the region. A full summary of individual crop harvest progress for all regions can be viewed in the attached harvest progress table.

Regionally, 60 per cent of the fall rye is reported at 1 CW and 40 per cent at 2 CW. Winter wheat grade quality is reported at 25 per cent 1 CW, 50 per cent at 2 CW and 25 per cent at 3 CW.

Rainfall was limited over the past week with the highest amount recorded in the Sonningdale area at 13 mm. The Marengo area received 8 mm and the Marsden area received 6 mm. The Macklin and Biggar areas both received 5 mm over the past week.

Topsoil moisture continues to be impacted in the region due to the drier conditions. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is 14 per cent adequate, 69 per cent short and 17 per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is 15 per cent adequate, 66 per cent short and 19 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 14 per cent adequate, 63 per cent short and 23 per cent very short.

Pasture conditions continue to diminish within the region due to the persistent hot and drier conditions with water shortages starting to be a concern in some areas. Currently, six per cent of pastures are in excellent condition, 21 per cent are good, 49 per cent are fair and 24 per cent are poor.

Crop damage over the past week was mainly due to the impacts from lack of moisture combined with the increased temperature. Minor crop damage was reported from hail and wind. Grasshoppers continue to persist in the drier areas within the region but with overall minor damage reported. As canola matures, sclerotinia stem rot development is still СÀ¶ÊÓƵ

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