Saskatchewan’s harvest is off to a slower start than average as cool temperatures and scattered showers help preserve crop conditions but do little to ease dry soils across much of the province. In its weekly crop report for the period of Aug. 4 to Aug. 10, the province says harvest is two per cent complete, largely limited to cereal and early-seeded pulse crops. That is below the five-year average of six per cent and the 10-year average of five per cent, but ahead of last year, when one per cent of the crop had been combined at this time. Agriculture officials say cooler weather in recent days has slowed harvest operations and crop development in some areas. At the same time, it has reduced crop stress in regions that faced hot, dry conditions over the past few weeks. Scattered, localized showers delivered much-needed moisture to parts of the province, but overall conditions remain dry. The report says additional rain would be especially beneficial for later-seeded crops now progressing through the grain-filling stage. Rainfall amounts varied widely. The Chesterfield and Milton areas reported the highest totals at 20 millimetres, followed by Milden at 16 mm. Producers in the Harris, Arborfield, Nipawin, Round Hill and Hillsdale areas recorded about 15 mm. Many other regions saw little to no precipitation. Despite the showers, a significant portion of the province continues to rate topsoil moisture as short. Cropland topsoil moisture is estimated at one per cent surplus, 48 per cent adequate, 43 per cent short and eight per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is rated one per cent surplus, 49 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and eight per cent very short. Pasture conditions are drier, with one per cent surplus, 39 per cent adequate, 46 per cent short and 14 per cent very short. Winter cereals are leading the way in harvest progress. The report says 18 per cent of winter wheat and 27 per cent of fall rye has been combined. Among spring cereals, harvest is 37 per cent complete for triticale, four per cent for barley, one per cent for spring wheat, two per cent for oats and one per cent for canary seed. Pulse harvest has started, with two per cent of lentils and five per cent of field peas off. Producers across the province have either finished or are wrapping up haying and silage operations. Dryland alfalfa yields are averaging 1.90 tonnes per acre, while dryland greenfeed is averaging 2.79 tonnes per acre. Under irrigation, alfalfa yields are averaging 3.90 tonnes per acre and greenfeed 6.85 tonnes per acre. Provincial silage yields are currently estimated at 7.00 tonnes per acre. Crop damage has been reported in areas that experienced hot, dry conditions, with some regions indicating minor to moderate stress. The report also notes damage from bertha armyworms, wind, gophers and sclerotinia disease in certain fields. With harvest activity picking up, the province is reminding producers to make safety a priority. Farmers are urged to watch for fire risks and overhead power lines and to take steps to prevent incidents. Motorists are also being asked to use extra caution and patience around large farm machinery travelling on rural roads and highways. The full report can be found here.
