Crop report shows 29 per cent harvest complete, delays and damage from weather

The long-awaited rainy, cool weather this week had a negative effect on harvesting progress in the province.

Saskatchewan producers saw delays in combining this week, with harvest progressing to 29 per cent complete, up from 20 per cent last week. The five-year average for harvest completion at this time is 12 per cent.

An additional 21 per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut, ahead of the five-year average of 16 per cent.

Farmers were still grateful to see rains, though they would have preferred the precipitation earlier in the summer.

Winter wheat is 93  per cent combined, fall rye is at 78 per cent, and lentils are 76 per cent combined. Eighty-one per cent of field peas, 42 per cent of barley, 31 per cent of durum, 23 per cent of oats, 25 per cent of spring wheat and six per cent of canola has been combined, as well.

An additional 30 per cent of canola is swathed or ready to straight-cut.

Several large weather systems hit Saskatchewan over the past week, leaving significant rainfall in areas like Grenfall (97 millimetres), Moose Haw (77 mm), Vanguard (60 mm), Jedburgh (55 mm), Harris (50 mm) and Nether Hill (46 mm). The rain will be detrimental to crops still in the field but will benefit pasture regrowth next year.

Significantly, the rainfall and cooler temperatures combated the hot and dry conditions of the summer. More rain is still needed to end the drought in the province, however.

Cropland topsoil moisture is currently rated at one per cent surplus, 32 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and 30 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture ahs been rated as 23 per cent adequate, 34 per cent short and 42 per cent very short.

Pasture conditions in the province are rated as one per cent good, 15 per cent fair, 46 per cent poor and 38 per cent very poor.

Most crop damage this week resulted from wind, heavy rain and hail, with crops and pastures still under extreme stress due to the drought. Tornado damage around the Hodgevill area was considerable for one farmyard, which saw equipment, buildings and grain bins harmed.

Harvest progress is most advanced in southern areas of the province. In the southwest region, 43 per cent of producers have combined, 30 per cent in the southeast region, 27 per cent in the west central region, 22 per cent in east central, 25 per cent in the northeast and 15 per cent in the northwest.

Producers are now busy with preparing equipment and bins for harvest as they wait for crops to dry to combine.

Harvesting producers are reminded to work with caution in their fields, staying aware and taking breaks to remain safe.

Agriculture government support programs like AgriRecovery and AgriStability are available to eligible producers to assist with the financial stress of this year’s drought. Recently, an increase was made to the maximum funding a livestock producer can receive from the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure program for dugouts, wells and pipelines for agricultural use. For more information, producers can contact the Ministry of Agriculture’s Agriculture Knowledge Centre.

In response to the feed shortage, low yield appraisal threshold values have been doubled by Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) for customers who salvage their cereal or pulse crops as feed. This will not negatively impact future individual coverage. Customers are asked to contact their local SCIC office before they graze, bale or silage damaged crops to discuss their options.

To support producers, the Farm Stress Line is anonymous and available all hours of the day at 1-800-667-4442.