OUTLOOK - The west-central region now has 78 per cent of this year’s crop off, and the end of harvest is looming on the horizon, according to the crop report for the period of September 5 to 11. The region is ahead of the five-year average of 60 per cent.
Producers are taking off the last of their spring cereals this week and are now focusing on their oilseeds. Barley is 91 per cent harvested, durum is at 88 per cent, spring wheat at 85 per cent and oats at 64 per cent. Canola is 59 per cent harvested, while mustard is 58 per cent and flax is 34 per cent. Soybeans are 90 per cent harvested for the year and chickpea harvest was completed this week.
Producers are starting to market their grain and are seeing their durum being rated as 1 CW at 45 per cent or 2 CW at 40 per cent. Peas are being graded at 2 CAN at 59 per cent or 1 CAN at 38 per cent. Lentils are being graded at 2 CAN at 77 per cent, while some are being graded at 1 CAN at 19 per cent.
While spotty showers moved through the region, minimal rain was reported. The Sonningdale area received the most moisture this week, with 12 mm being recorded. Topsoil moisture continues to be limited; 17 per cent of cropland has adequate moisture, 45 per cent is short and 38 per cent is very short. Hay and pasture moisture is also limited; five per cent have adequate moisture, 42 per cent are short and 53 per cent are very short.
Crop damage this past week is due to grasshoppers, drought and waterfowl stopping in fields on their migration south. Producers are busy combining their remaining fields, applying post-harvest herbicides and working fields. Producers are also marketing cattle, assessing feed supplies and moving cattle to stubble fields.
