Harvest Finally In Full Swing in Saskatchewan
VANCOUVER - Sep 30/10 - SNS -- This allowed the overall harvest to advance 11 points on the week to 29% complete, with another 44% of all crops swathed or ready to straight-combine. The five-year provincial average (2005 to 2009) for this time of year is 75% combined.
There is considerable optimism the harvest will leap forward over the coming week. With the exception of Sunday and Monday, forecasters are looking for clear skies and above normal temperatures across Saskatchewan.
The majority of crop damage is a result of the rain and frost over the past couple of weeks. Lodging, flooding, bleaching and sprouting are causing crop damage as well. Cranes and geese are feeding on crops. Fields are very wet, making harvest difficult.
Saskatchewan Harvest Progress to September 27, 2010
(per cent in the bin)
2008 2009 2010 5-Yr Average 3-Yr Average
Mustard 85.0 83.0 43.0 88.6 87.7
Sunflower 19.0 0.0 0.0 8.0 9.7
Lentils 99.0 97.0 43.0 97.4 98.3
Field Peas 99.0 99.0 80.0 98.0 98.7
Chickpeas 53.0 56.0 13.0 73.8 68.3
Canaryseed 36.0 33.0 10.0 53.2 49.0
Flaxseed 32.0 25.0 2.0 48.6 42.3
Canola 79.0 60.0 31.0 76.6 74.3
Spring Wheat 83.0 69.0 16.0 77.0 78.3
Durum 83.0 80.0 12.0 88.8 87.3
Oats 75.0 51.0 15.0 67.6 66.7
Barley 88.0 81.0 25.0 82.8 85.0
Rye 99.0 94.0 94.0 96.2 97.0
SOURCE: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Southeastern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 1, 2, and 3ASE)
The majority of the week was sunny, warm and windy in the region. Rain was recorded earlier in the week. By the weekend, most farmers were back in the fields swathing and combining. Weekly rainfalls for the following areas are: Frobisher, 25 mm; Stoughton, 19 mm; Grenfell, two mm; Maryfield, 17 mm; Griffin, 28 mm; Indian Head, 15 mm; and Ceylon, 18 mm. Many areas recorded little or no rainfall for the week.
Producers were able to make an additional five% in harvest progress and as of this week, have 31% of the crop combined. An additional 39% is swathed or ready to straight combine. The majority of harvest progress was made on combining of canola, mustard, lentils, peas and oats. Last year at this time, the region had 80% combined.
Crop district (CD) 1A has 38% combined; CD 1B, 28%; CD 2A, 33%; CD 2B, 25%; and CD 3ASE has 30% combined.
Crop reporters are indicating crop yields are quite variable across the region. The regional average crop yields are as follows: winter wheat 46 bu/ac; spring wheat 33 bu/ac; durum 31 bu/ac; oats 78 bu/ac; barley 48 bu/ac; fall rye 34 bu/ac; flax 21 bu/ac; canola 30 bu/ac; mustard 800 lb/ac; lentils 1,000 lb/ac; peas 31 bu/ac; canaryseed 1,200 lb/ac; and chickpeas 1,200 lb/ac.
The majority of crop damage is caused by excess moisture and frost on the less mature crops. Due to the rain, sprouting, bleaching and staining in swathed/dessicated and ripening crops are causing damage. With all the rain, farmers are concerned with crop quality and bushel-weight issues.
Farmers are relieved that they are finally getting a break in nice weather. Most of the crop that has been combined in the past few days has been put into storage dry. There is a tractor sitting in almost. The wind has helped dry things out quicker. The wet and cold weather took its toll on some cereals with bleaching, sprouting and some bran frost being reported. A couple weeks of good harvesting weather is needed to get most of the crop in the bin.
Southwestern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 3ASW, 3AN, 3B and 4)
No rain at the end of the week allowed farmers to get back onto the combines. Most of the rain was recorded early in the week, ranging from nil to 21 mm. Many areas reported no rain for the week. Weekly rainfalls for the following areas are: Viceroy, 21 mm; Lafleche and Glenbain, six mm; Gravelbourg, five mm; Ponteix, nine mm; and Shaunavon, 11 mm.
The region made good harvest progress with 11% combined over last week. The region has 36% of the 2010 crop combined. An additional 31% has been swathed or is ready to straight combine. Most of the progress was made in combining of canaryseed, mustard, canola, durum, barley and oats. Last year at this time, 90% of the crop had been combined. With some areas receiving no rain and crops ready to combine, many districts made excellent progress in the field. Crop districts 3ASW has 35% combined; CD 3BN, 33%; CD 3AN, 27%; CD 3BS, 38%; CD 4A, 40%; and CD 4B, 52%.
Crop reporters are indicating crop yields are quite variable across the region. The regional average crop yields are as follows: winter wheat 38 bu/ac; spring wheat 33 bu/ac; durum 33 bu/ac; oats 55 bu/ac; barley 53 bu/ac; fall rye 39 bu/ac; flax 20 bu/ac; canola 26 bu/ac; mustard 1,000 lb/ac; lentils 1,400 lb/ac; peas 28 bu/ac; canaryseed 1,300 lb/ac; and chickpeas 1,000 lb/ac.
The rain received on the mature crops over the past few weeks has caused the majority of the crop damage. Frost damage did occur on those crops that were less mature.
The excess moisture has caused bleaching, sprouting lodging and staining of crops.
Wind is also causing crops to lodge.
Most of the combines were rolling again on Sunday. Quality of crops is a concern as farmers get into the fields. Some areas seem to have missed some of the crop weathering and yields and quality look good. Others are reporting some lentil and pea crops laying flat on the ground making it difficult to pick them up. Some cereals crops have sprouted and are bleached. The wind at night is allowing for longer days on the combine. Some livestock producers are worried about not having enough stubble ready for grazing if cattle start coming home from pasture early. There are some controlling weeds on chemfallow and summerfallow. Most producers need another three weeks of decent weather to get the crop in.
East-Central Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 5 and 6a)
Most producers were in the field by the weekend. ,Rain at the beginning of the week resulted a couple days of drying weather before combines could get rolling again. A few areas received no rain for the week. Weekly rainfalls for the following areas are: Goodeve and Quill Lake, 11 mm; Stockholm and Bradwell, one mm; Foam Lake, 15 mm; and Bethune, eight mm.
Producers were able to gain great progress in the field and have 29% of the 2010 crop in the bin. A 14% gain in combining was made over last week. Most of the progress was made with combining of lentils, peas, canola and barley. An additional 51% is swathed or is ready to straight cut. Last year at this time, 65% of the crop had been combined. Crop district 5A has 23% combined; CD 5B, 19%; and CD 6A, 39%.
Crop reporters are indicating crop yields are quite variable across the region. The regional average crop yields are as follows: winter wheat 45 bu/ac; spring wheat 29 bu/ac; durum 33 bu/ac; oats 59 bu/ac; barley 47 bu/ac; fall rye 35 bu/ac; flax 20 bu/ac; canola 24 bu/ac; mustard 800 lb/ac; lentils 1,000 lbs/ac; peas 29 bu/ac; canaryseed 1,200 lb/ac.
Bleaching, sprouting, staining and lodging are the cause of the main crop damage due to excess moisture. Frost damage was reported on some crops that were less mature.
Geese and cranes are causing crop damage as well.
Producers are happy to be back on the combine. Fields are very wet and combining at night is proving difficult with many sloughs. The four-wheel-drive tractor for pulling is not far away. Most of the crop that was combined on the weekend was put into the bins dry. One crop reporter indicated that this past week has been the first week in four months where no measurable rain was recorded on his farm. There was some seeding of winter wheat. A few weeks of good weather is needed to harvest the majority of the crop.
West-Central Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 6B and 7)
Producers were able to make up for lost time on the combine this past week. Very little rain was reported. Most areas recorded no rain for the week.
Another 12% of the crop is in the bin, bringing the region to 20% combined. An additional 47% has been swathed or is ready to straight cut. Most of the progress was made in the combining of lentils, peas, canola and winter cereals.
Last year at this time, 67% of the crop had been combined. Crop district 6B has 29% combined; CD 7A, 10%; and CD 7B, 23%.
Crop reporters are indicating crop yields are quite variable across the region. The regional average crop yields are as follows: winter wheat, 51 bu/ac; spring wheat, 34 bu/ac; durum, 38 bu/ac; oats, 67 bu/ac; barley, 55 bu/ac; fall rye, 41 bu/ac; flax, 24 bu/ac; canola, 29 bu/ac; mustard, 1,200 lb/ac; lentils, 1,000 lb/ac; peas. 36 bu/ac; canaryseed, 1,000 lb/ac; and chickpeas, 800 lb/ac.
The majority of crop damage is due to the excess moisture and frost. The past few weeks of rain has caused mold, flooding, lodging, sprouting and bleaching. The moisture received in the past few weeks has reduced crop quality. Indications of frost damage seem to be appearing on some of the less mature crops in the last couple of days. Geese and cranes are also causing crop damage.
Most of the harvest resumed on the weekend. Stuck combines are a regular occurrence in the region. Four-wheel-drive tractors are sitting and ready at the edge of fields. Crop quality has deteriorated as the crops sat in the rain for a few weeks. Some cereals were taken off tough, oilseeds seems to be dry. Harvest is in full swing. Three weeks of good weather is needed.
Northeastern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 8 and 9AE)
Many were able to get back into the field by the weekend. A few rain showers rolled over the region causing some to shut down for a while. Weekly rainfalls for the following areas are: Porcupine Plain, six mm; Tisdale, Nipawin, Prince Albert and Garrick, five mm; and Alvena, three mm.
The region has 32% of the crop combined, a significant increase over last weeks 17% combined. An additional 54% has been swathed or is ready to straight combine. Most of the progress was made in combining of canola, barley, lentils and peas. Last year at this time, the region had 55% of the 2009 crop combined.
Crop district 8A has 36% of the crop combined; CD 8B, 26%; and CD 9AE, 39%.
Crop reporters are indicating crop yields are quite variable across the region. The regional average crop yields are as follows: winter wheat, 42 bu/ac; spring wheat, 30 bu/ac; durum, 30 bu/ac; oats, 73 bu/ac; barley, 48 bu/ac; flax, 16 bu/ac; canola, 24 bu/ac; peas, 22 bu/ac; and canaryseed, 900 lb/ac.
Crop damage is due to rain and frost. Excess moisture is causing flooding, disease, lodging, sprouting and bleaching. Frost damage is still being assessed, although some have reported the less mature crops were damaged somewhat.
There are areas in the north east that made good progress. Other areas are still trying to combine in very wet field conditions making progress quite slow. Grain is being hauled to the road in some areas, as fields are too wet to support grain carts and grain trucks. There have been some reports of fusarium in wheat. Most grain is coming off tough or damp. Aeration and grain dryers are in use. Farmers are hoping for three weeks of decent harvesting weather.
Northwestern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 9AW and 9B)
Sunny and warm weather helped to get combines rolling again. Very little rain was recorded in the region for the week. A few spotty showers shut some down for a while.
The northwest has 25% of the 2010 crop combined. Good weather allowed for an additional 14% to be combined over last week. Sixty% has been swathed or is ready to straight combine. Most of the progress was made in peas, canola and barley. Last year at this time, 59% of the crop was off the field. Crop district 9AW has 29% of the crop combined and CD 9B has 23% of the crop combined.
Crop reporters are indicating crop yields are quite variable across the region. The regional average crop yields are as follows: spring wheat, 40 bu/ac; oats, 74 bu/ac; barley, 64 bu/ac; fall rye, 25 bu/ac; flax, 23 bu/ac; canola, 35 bu/ac; mustard, 1,000 lb/ac; and peas, 40 bu/ac.
Rain and frost have caused the majority of crop damage. Excess rain has caused flooding, lodging, sprouting and bleaching of crops. Farmers are still trying to assess frost damage on crops and some of the late seeded crops seem to be showing some damage.
Most of the crops combined earlier in the week were tough. Crops were starting to test dry later on in the week. There are reports of some tough canola being transported straight to the crushing facilities. Combines are getting stuck and grain trucks and carts have to be careful of where to travel in the field. Warm and sunny weather is needed for a few weeks.
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