Murray Wood: Drought or deluge, it's Saskatchewan weather
Murray Wood notes that while we have seen years with "perfect" weather in the province, they aren't that commo...
While harvest in Saskatchewan progresses at an above-average rate, some crops in the province are beyond help due to weather issues this summer.
According to the weekly crop report from the Ministry of Agriculture, strong winds, drought, rain and hail have taken their toll on some crops.
“Areas that received precipitation over the past few weeks have reported that standing crops such as cereals and lentils have experienced severe weathering and are being downgraded at the elevator,” the crop report said.
“Some fields are in such poor condition that some producers have indicated they will not be harvested.”
As well, the ministry said yields are lower than expected in some areas because of the drought conditions that hit crops during the growing stages.
The report said the current estimated average crop yields are 27 bushels per acre for hard red spring wheat, 19 bushels per acre for durum, 38 bushels per acre for barley, 20 bushels per acre for canola, 21 bushels per acre for field peas and 817 pounds per acre for lentils.
Still, harvest is progressing quickly in the province. The ministry said 56 per cent of the crop is now in the bin, up from 36 per cent last week and ahead of the five-year (2016-20) average of 35 per cent. As well, 24 per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut.
The southwest region is furthest ahead with 75 per cent of the crop combined, followed by the southeast (67 per cent), west-central (58 per cent), northeast (47 per cent), east-central (38 per cent) and northwest (37 per cent) regions.
To date, 96 per cent of field peas, 93 per cent of lentils, 75 per cent of durum, 74 per cent of mustard, 66 per cent of barley, 58 per cent of spring wheat and 31 per cent of canola has been combined. Another 44 per cent of canola is swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Some areas got so much rain last week that there was flooding and standing water in fields.
Even so, cropland topsoil moisture dropped slightly due to strong winds. It’s now rated as one per cent surplus, 38 per cent adequate, 38 per cent short and 23 per cent very short.
Topsoil moisture in hay and pasture land improved from the previous week and now is rated as one per cent surplus, 25 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and 35 per cent very short.
