Released on September 25, 2014
Warm and relatively dry weather allowed harvest to significantly advance this past week, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Weekly Crop Report. Forty-three per cent of the crop is now in the bin and 37 per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut. The five-year average (2009-2013) for this time of year is 58 per cent combined and 25 per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut.The southwestern region is the most advanced, where 54 per cent of the crop is now combined. Forty-seven per cent is combined in the northwestern region; 46 per cent in the west-central region; 45 per cent in the northeastern region; 41 per cent in the southeastern region; and 28 per cent in the east-central region.
While overall yields are reported to be about average, they vary from region to region depending on field moisture and disease received throughout the year. Average hard red spring wheat yields are reported as 39 bushels per acre, durum 37 bushels per acre, barley 58 bushels per acre, canola 32 bushels per acre and field peas 32 bushels per acre.
Quality remains a concern for many producers as moisture, disease and frost have damaged crops. Strong winds and waterfowl also caused some damage this week.
Rainfall this week ranged from nil to 18 mm. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 14 per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate and four per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as seven per cent surplus, 87 per cent adequate and six per cent short.
Pasture conditions across the province are rated as 20 per cent excellent, 64 per cent good, 14 per cent fair and two per cent poor. Ninety-six per cent of livestock producers have indicated that they have adequate supplies of water for their livestock.
Farmers are busy with harvest operations, aerating tough grain and hauling bales.
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