Released on October 18, 2018
Although wet and cool weather conditions last week continued to delay harvest in much of the province, many producers are back in the field or will be soon. Eighty-two per cent of the crop is now in the bin, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Weekly Crop Report, up from 78 per cent last week, but behind the five-year (2013-2017) average of 91 per cent for this time of year. The warm and dry weather forecast for the next week or more will allow producers to resume combining.
Harvest remains most advanced in the southwest, where 90 per cent of the crop is now combined, and in the southeast, where 89 per cent is combined; these numbers are unchanged from two weeks ago. Producers in the northeastern region have 79 per cent of the crop combined; the west-central region has 74 per cent and the east-central region 68 per cent. Producers in the northwestern region have been delayed by frequent snowfalls, but now have 45 per cent combined.
Eighty-six per cent of durum, 83 per cent of barley, 72 per cent of spring wheat, 67 per cent of canola, 63 per cent of canary seed, 46 per cent of flax and 39 per cent of soybeans have now been combined. Most crops are coming off tough or damp and are being placed in dryers when available.
Most regions in the province reported small amounts of rain and snow, although some areas in the central regions received close to 25 mm. Topsoil moisture conditions are relatively unchanged from last week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 71 per cent adequate, 20 per cent short and six per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 61 per cent adequate, 27 per cent short and 10 per cent very short.
Lodging caused by snow and rain continues to cause crop damage. Geese and other wildlife are feeding on swathed crops, while some standing crops have shelled out. Crop quality has been affected due to bleaching and sprouting.
A complete, printable version of the Crop Report is available online at www.saskatchewan.ca/crop-report.
Follow the 2018 Crop Report on Twitter at @SKAgriculture.
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For more information, contact:
Brent Flaten
Agriculture
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-3714
Email: brent.flaten@gov.sk.ca