ESTEVAN - The southeast is in the final stretch of their harvest operations with 89 per cent of the crop off, according to the crop report for the period of Sept. 19 to 25. This is ahead of the five-year average of 78 per cent.
With most of the crops harvested, only a few acres of spring wheat, durum and barley are left standing. Chickpeas, lentils, field peas, mustard and fall-seeded cereals are all completed in the region. Producers are currently working on flax at 94 per cent complete, oats at 93 per cent complete, canary seed at 80 per cent complete, canola at 79 per cent complete and soybeans at 65 per cent complete.
Very little rain moved through the region this week, allowing for harvest to progress rapidly. The most rain received in the area was 15 mm in the Carnduff area. Topsoil moisture is becoming limited in the region. Twenty-five per cent of cropland has adequate soil moisture, 41 per cent is short and 34 per cent is very short. Similarly, 23 per cent of hay and pastures have adequate moisture, 43 per cent are short and 34 per cent are very short. Many producers in the area are experiencing water shortages for livestock and are concerned about the quality of water, as a result, these producers have turned to hauling water.
Crop damage this week was caused by grasshoppers and drought conditions. Producers are busy wrapping up harvest and working their fields for the fall. Producers are also hauling water and feed for their animals while preparing for winter.
