Crop Report for the Period September 30 to October 6, 2014

Released on October 9, 2014

Unfavourable weather conditions this past week have stalled harvest operations for many producers in the province, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Weekly Crop Report.  Seventy-two per cent of the crop is now combined, up slightly from 68 per cent last week.  Nineteen per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut.  The five-year (2009-2013) average for this time of year is 84 per cent combined and 11 per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut.

The northwestern region is the furthest advanced with 83 per cent of the crop combined.  Eighty-one per cent is combined in the southwestern region; 80 per cent in the northeastern region; 76 per cent in the west-central region; 67 in the southeastern region; and 57 per cent in the east-central region.

Much of the province received rain this past week ranging from trace amounts to well over an inch.  Across the province, topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 19 per cent surplus, 78 per cent adequate and three per cent short.  Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 11 per cent surplus, 83 per cent adequate and six per cent short.

Strong winds and rain lodged some crops this week, while moisture, frost and disease caused quality issues.  High levels of fusarium head blight are being reported in many areas.  Of the crops that have been harvested so far, 13 per cent of hard red spring wheat is expected to fall into the 1 CW grade, 35 per cent in 2CW, 33 per cent in 3CW and 19 per cent is CW feed.

Farmers are busy harvesting, hauling bales and moving cattle.  

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