ASSINIBOIA - Farmers have been working hard to get the crop off their fields over the past week and they now have five per cent of their crop harvested. This is slightly ahead of the five-year average (2017-2021) of three per cent for this time of year. Winter cereals and pulse crops such lentils and field peas have been harvested so far while producers wait for their durum, canola and flax fields to get closer to maturity.
Hot windy weather continued throughout this past week and no rain of any significance was received. This has caused a further decline in the topsoil moisture in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 23 per cent adequate, 29 per cent short and 48 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 20 per cent adequate, 24 per cent short and 56 per cent very short.
Hay yields for the region are lower than normal due the extremely dry growing conditions since April 1. Producers in the region have voiced concern over the availability of feed and the high cost of acquiring feed for the winter. Pastures have suffered again this year and cattle have been constantly rotated to ensure grass is available for grazing. Many producers are also hauling water to pastures as natural sources have dried up.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to heat, drought stress and wind. There are still reports of grasshoppers in the region and producers have done all they can to control them. Now that harvest has begun the grasshoppers have become an issue plugging up combines and producers must spend large amounts of time cleaning their machines.
Farmers are busy harvesting crops for grain or cutting crops for greenfeed. While some are combining others are still desiccating and will be harvesting soon.
