Released on September 18, 2014
Improved weather has allowed many producers to return to the field but harvest is progressing slowly, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Weekly Crop Report.Twenty-three per cent of the 2014 crop has been combined, well behind the five-year average (2009-2013) of 43 per cent at this time of year. Forty-three per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Harvest is most advanced in the southwestern region where 31 per cent of the crop is now combined. Twenty-seven per cent is combined in the northeastern region; 26 per cent in the southeastern region; 24 per cent in the west-central region; 19 per cent in the northwestern region and 11 per cent in the east-central region.
Disease and weather-related quality issues remain a concern in many areas. Of the crops that have been harvested so far, 71 per cent of field peas are estimated to fall within the top two quality grades while 61 per cent of lentils and 79 per cent of durum is estimated to fall within the bottom two quality grades. While overall yields are reported to be about average, they vary from region to region.
Rainfall this past week ranged from trace amounts to 25 mm in the Fife Lake area. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 22 per cent surplus, 77 per cent adequate and one per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 13 per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate and three per cent short.
Frost hit many areas across the province last week, with damage ranging from minimal to severe in some later-seeded crops.
Farmers are busy with harvest operations.
Follow the 2014 Crop Report on Twitter at @SKAgriculture.
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For more information, contact:
Shannon Friesen
Agriculture
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-3592