Crop Districts 6B – Hanley, Outlook, Loreburn, Saskatoon and Arelee areas;
Crop District 7A – Rosetown, Kindersley, Eston, Major;
Crop District 7B - Kerrobert, Macklin, Wilkie and Biggar areas
For the Period October 2 to 8, 2018
While some producers in the region were able to get in a few hours of combining over the weekend, others have not turned a wheel in a week or more. Seventy per cent of the crop is now combined, up from 62 per cent last week but well behind the five-year (2013-2017) average of 85 per cent for this time of year. Much of the grain that has come off recently is being placed in dryers as it is tough or damp. A good couple weeks of warm, dry and windy weather is needed in order to get the rest of the crop off.
Most of the region reported little to no precipitation last week, although some areas received large amounts of rain and snow. The Dinsmore and Marengo areas reported 15 mm of precipitation, the Tugaske and Biggar areas 3 mm, the Langham area 1 mm, the Rosthern area 8 mm, the Rosetown, Macklin and Major areas 6 mm and the Smiley area 18 mm. The Perdue area has received the most precipitation (383 mm) in the region since April 1.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 74 per cent adequate, 20 per cent short and five per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 58 per cent adequate, 30 per cent short and 12 per cent very short.
At this time, most livestock producers in the region are indicating adequate supplies of hay, straw, greenfeed and feed grain heading into winter. However, some areas have inadequate supplies and shortages are very likely. Some producers have already begun shipping cattle.
Rain and snow have caused most of the crop damage and downgrading is expected due to sprouting and bleaching. There have been a few reports of geese and wildlife feeding on swathed crops.
Producers are busy hauling bales, cleaning corrals, drying grain and hoping that the weather improves soon.