Producers have made tremendous progress as 56 per cent of the crop is now in the bin, which is ahead of the five-year (2016-2020) average of 35 per cent, according to the provincial crop report for the week of August 31 to September 6.
An additional 24 per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut. During the week of August 31 to September 6, there were several areas affected by rain delays but the majority of the province was able to continue their harvest operations without issue.
The southwest region has made the most progress with 75 per cent of the crop now combined. The southeast has 67 per cent combined, the west-central 58 per cent, the east-central 38 per cent, the northeast 47 per cent and the northwest 37 per cent.
Ninety-six per cent of field peas, 93 per cent of lentils, 74 per cent of mustard, 66 per cent of barley, 75 per cent of durum, 58 per cent of spring wheat and 31 per cent of canola has now been combined. An additional 44 per cent of canola is swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Estimated average crop yields at this time 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.
Crop yields were greatly affected by drought conditions during critical growing stages this season and yields are far lower in some areas than anticipated.
Rainfall from August 31 to September 6 ranged from trace amounts to 102 mm. Provincial cropland topsoil moisture conditions deteriorated slightly with recent strong winds even though rainfall was received in many parts of the province. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 38 per cent adequate, 38 per cent short and 23 per cent very short.
Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture improved this week and is rated as one per cent surplus, 25 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and 35 per cent very short.
The majority of crop damage was due to strong winds, drought and hail. 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. Some fields are in such poor condition that some producers have indicated they will not be harvested.
Producers are busy combining, swathing, baling straw and hauling bales. Livestock producers are busy moving cattle, hauling water and trying to take inventory of their winter feed supplies.
Producers are reminded to exercise caution and remain safe, and motorists are to remain vigilant and to exercise patience when traveling around or near farm equipment on the highway.
As of September 1, the 2021 Canada-Saskatchewan Drought Response Initiative is accepting producer applications. The initiative will consist of two payments totaling up to $200 per head for cattle, with adjustments based on animal unit equivalents for other livestock.
A complete version of the crop report is available online at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/crop-report.