Released on October 2, 2014
Great strides were made this past week as Saskatchewan producers now have 68 per cent of the crop combined and 22 per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Weekly Crop Report.Warm and dry weather allowed producers to close the gap on the five-year (2009-2013) average of 72 per cent combined and 18 per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Harvest is most advanced in the southwestern region, where 78 per cent of the crop is now combined. Seventy-seven per cent is combined in the northwestern region; 75 per cent in the northeastern region; 72 per cent in the west-central region; 62 per cent in the southeastern region; and 53 per cent in the east-central region.
Rainfall this week ranged from trace amounts to 20 mm in the Carnduff area. Across the province, topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 17 per cent surplus, 78 per cent adequate and five per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as eight per cent surplus, 85 per cent adequate and seven per cent short.
Strong winds caused some damage this week. Quality continues to be a concern for many producers as higher-than-normal levels of fusarium head blight have been reported in many cereal crops. Moisture, frost and disease have also caused quality issues.
Farmers are busy harvesting and hauling bales.
Follow the 2014 Crop Report on Twitter at @SKAgriculture.
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For more information, contact:
Shannon Friesen
Agriculture
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-3592