YORKTON - Moisture continues to dampen harvest in the east-central region, according to the crop report for the period of August 29 to September 4.
Despite more moisture this past week, producers were able to make great progress and are now 34 per cent complete harvest, this is ahead of the five-year average of 27 per cent.
Producers have finished their winter cereal, pea and lentil harvest operations and are now focusing on their spring cereals. Sixty-one per cent of barley, 41 per cent of durum, 38 per cent of spring wheat and 18 per cent of oats have been harvested this year. The region is just beginning their oilseed harvest with 16 per cent of soybeans, 11 per cent of canola, five per cent of flax and one per cent of mustard harvested.
For yield estimates in the region, Hard Red Spring Wheat is anticipated to yield 40 bu./ac., oats 79 bu./ac. and barley 59 bu./ac. Canola is estimated to yield 34 bu/ac and mustard is estimated at 917 lbs./ac. Lentils are estimated to yield 1,396 lbs./ac. and chickpeas 700 lbs./ac.
The Kelliher region received the most moisture this week, with 44 mm of rain being reported. The topsoil moisture is slowly improving in the area, with 55 per cent of cropland being adequate, 35 per cent being rated as short and 10 per cent very short. Hay and pasture remain more limited in moisture, with 37 per cent having adequate moisture, 49 per cent short and 13 per cent very short.
Crop damage this past week is due to grasshoppers, localized flooding and sooty moulds developing on standing crops. Producers are busy combining and harvesting, while livestock producers are also preparing to bring cattle home for the winter.
