Rainfall welcomed despite harvest delays

ASSINIBOIA — Rainfall over the past week caused significant delays to harvest, but many within the region welcomed the moisture to help alleviate major shortages in topsoil moisture and green up pastures for fall grazing. Currently, 96 per cent of harvest is complete which is only slightly up from the 95 per cent reported last week. This is ahead of the five-year average of 89 per cent and the 10-year average of 84 per cent.

Harvest is complete for winter cereals, oats, triticale, lentils, field peas and soybeans within the region, with barley nearing harvest completion. Chickpeas currently sit at 94 per cent harvested. Durum leads harvest progress for spring-seeded cereal crops with 97 per cent complete closely followed by spring wheat at 96 per cent. Canary seed is currently 87 per cent complete within the region. For oilseed crops, mustard is 97 per cent harvested followed by canola at 94 per cent and flax at 74 per cent harvested.

Widespread precipitation fell within the region with many areas receiving significant amounts over the past week. The highest rainfall recorded fell in the Gouldtown area at 100 mm followed by the Richmound and Eston areas at 82 mm and 81 mm, respectively. The Neidpath area received 78 mm and the Admiral and Shaunavon areas both received 75 mm.

The recent precipitation has substantially improved pastures and topsoil moisture conditions within the region. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 49 per cent adequate, 46 per cent short and five per cent very short. Hayland is rated as 51 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 47 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 11 per cent very short. Producers are hopeful for more precipitation moving into the fall to further assist with replenishing topsoil moisture within the region.

As producers monitor livestock water supplies moving into the fall, 46 per cent indicate that there are no shortages occurring or anticipated with 37 per cent indicating moderate shortages are occurring and 17 per cent are anticipating a shortage depending on conditions throughout the fall. Additionally, 79 per cent of producers reported no concerns at the present time with water quality for their livestock. Producers are also busy with spraying for fall weed control, harrowing, baling, hauling bales, cleaning corrals and fencing.

Crop damage over the past week was mainly due to wind and wildlife but with minor damage reported. Grasshoppers are still present within the region but with harvest nearing completion, they are less of a concern. Producers indicate that the recent rain has caused concerns for reduced crop quality of unharvested crops within the region.

For more information about Southwestern Saskatchewan, explore the Crop Report Dashboard.