Released on August 18, 2011
Harvest is underway according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's weekly Crop Report. Three per cent of the 2011 crop has been combined. The five-year (2006-2010) provincial average for this time of year is five per cent combined.
Twenty-one per cent of the winter wheat, 30 per cent of the fall rye, 11 per cent of the lentils and 10 per cent of the field peas have been combined. Twelve per cent of the canola, six per cent of the mustard, and one per cent of the spring wheat, oats and barley has been swathed.
Livestock producers in many areas of the province are finished haying; however, rainfall delayed progress in some areas this past week. The average provincial hay yield for both dryland alfalfa and alfalfa/brome stands is 1.9 tons per acre, which is the five-year average (2006 to 2010). Average yield on irrigated alfalfa and alfalfa/brome stands is 2.9 tons per acre. Average greenfeed yield is 2.2 tons per acre on dryland and 3.4 tons per acre on irrigated stands.
Thunderstorms throughout the province brought heavy rain, high wind, and damaging hail in some areas. The majority of crop damage is due to hail, wind and insects.
Across the province, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as eight per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate and 10 per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 80 per cent adequate and 16 per cent short.
Farmers are busy swathing, combining and hauling hay.
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For more information, contact:
Grant McLean
Agriculture
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-3592