THE BATTLEFORDS — Crops were off to a slow start this year from cool and wet spring conditions.
Rain during seeding caused delays and some crops were planted late. There were also some unseeded acres this year from relentless spring rain. Hot weather in July and August helped crops catch up to normal development stages, but insufficient rain during this time took a toll on crop yields. Harvest was interrupted by rain in many areas which delayed progress and hurt crop quality.
Yields were lower than producers were expecting. Field pea yields were lower than much of the province. Spring cereal yields were consistent with provincial averages, as oats and barley yielded slightly higher and spring wheat varieties yielded slightly lower. Likewise, flax and canola yielded slightly higher than Saskatchewan averages. Crop quality was decent in the northwest this year. Almost all hard red spring wheat, field pea, canola and flax crops graded in the top two categories. The majority of oat and barley crops were also in the top two categories, but there were notable portions that were lower grade. There were small changes in seeded acres of fall cereal crops this year. Winter wheat acres increased one per cent, while fall rye acres decreased six per cent.
Silage yields in the northwest were the lowest in Saskatchewan at just 4.33 tons per acre. Hay yields were only slightly lower or were higher than provincial averages. In this region, alfalfa averaged 2.62 tons per acre, brome hay averaged 2.06 tons per acre, greenfeed averaged 2.03 tons per acre, tame hay averaged 1.46 tons per acre and baled forage averaged 1.42 tons per acre. Luckily, producers reported that hay was good quality this year. Twenty-six per cent of the first cut was excellent quality, 72 per cent was good and a mere two per cent was fair. Not all producers got a second cut, but those that did reported good to excellent quality. Prices of alfalfa and standing hay are very close to average provincial prices. The price of brome hay is greater than provincial prices, while greenfeed and straw prices are lower.
Fall rains have helped the northwest achieve above-average topsoil moisture relative to the rest of the province. Cropland topsoil moisture is currently 65 per cent adequate, 25 per cent short and ten per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is 48 per cent adequate, 36 per cent short and 16 per cent very short. Finally, pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 48 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and 17 per cent very short. Producers are hoping to receive more moisture this fall and winter to replenish dry fields and help pasture conditions. Currently, one per cent of pastures are in excellent condition, 38 per cent are good, 46 per cent are fair, 12 per cent are poor and three per cent are in very poor condition.
Harvest has been done for a couple of weeks in the northwest. Since then, producers have been working fields, spraying weeds and hauling bales. Cattle producers are also busy marketing calves.
For more information about Northwestern Saskatchewan, explore the Crop Report Dashboard.
