Saskatchewan Harvest Lurches Forward
VANCOUVER - Oct 8/10 - SNS -- Good harvest weather allowed Saskatchewan's farmers to make significant harvest progress, with 60% of all crops now in the bin as of October 4 and another 30% swathed or ready to straight-combine, according to the provincial agriculture department's weekly crop progress report.
The five-year provincial average (2005 to 2009) for this time of year is 85% combined. Saskatchewan's southwest crop districts have 66% of the crop combined, the southeast 62%, the northeast 68% and the northwest 57%. The east-central and west-central regions have 61% and 47% combined, respectively.
The majority of crop damage is a result of the rain and frost from 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 still very wet, making harvest difficult.
Saskatchewan Harvest Progress to October 4, 2010
(per cent of seeded area in the bin)
2008 2009 2010 5-Yr Average 3-Yr Average
Mustard 98.0 87.0 69.0 94.6 94.7
Sunflower 19.0 0.0 0.0 14.4 9.7
Lentils 99.0 97.0 74.0 98.0 98.3
Field Peas 99.0 99.0 95.0 98.6 99.0
Chickpeas 70.0 73.0 21.0 84.4 80.3
Canaryseed 75.0 41.0 16.0 69.4 68.7
Flaxseed 75.0 29.0 18.0 65.6 63.3
Canola 94.0 65.0 67.0 85.4 83.7
Spring Wheat 97.0 74.0 51.0 85.4 88.0
Durum 96.0 84.0 45.0 93.8 93.0
Oats 93.0 56.0 40.0 80.0 79.0
Barley 98.0 84.0 59.0 89.8 92.3
Rye 99.0 92.0 96.0 97.8 96.7
SOURCE: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Southeastern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 1, 2, and 3ASE)
Warm, sunny and windy weather allowed for good harvest progress. Only trace amounts of rain fell in a few areas in the region during the week.
Producers were able to take in an additional 31% of harvest and, as of this week, have 62% of the crop combined. Another 26% is swathed or ready to straightcombine.
Last year at this time, the region had 84% combined.
Crop districts (CD) 1A and 2A have 65% combined; CD 1B, 63%; CD 2B, 54%; and CD 3ASE has 82% combined.
Crop reporters in the region are indicating the following grades for spring wheat that has been harvested: 9% 1CW, 28% 2 CW, 34% 3CW and 29% CW Feed.
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 is causing crop damage.
The warm and windy weather is drying fields, although caution in the field is still needed as there are many wet areas. Grain trucks are being left at the edge of the field or on the road to avoid getting stuck. A strong wind for a couple days scattered some swaths.
Many producers were able to get started early in the day due to the wind drying crops down. Most of the crops harvested this week were put into storage dry.
Southwestern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 3ASW, 3AN, 3B and 4)
Most of the region received no rain for the week. A few areas recorded some light showers early in the week which amounted to no more than 2 mm.
Producers got an extra 30% of the crop combined last week. The region now has 66% of the 2010 crop combined. An additional 20% is swathed or ready to straight-combine. Last year at this time, 94% of the crop had been combined. Crop districts 3ASW and 3AN have 66% combined, CD 3BN 65%; CD 3BS, 70%; CD 4A, 62%; and CD 4B, 72%.
Crop reporters in the region are indicating the following grades for spring wheat that has been harvested: 15% 1CW, 41% 2 CW, 37% 3CW and 7% CW Feed.
The rain that fell on mature crops in September is the cause of 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.
Crop reporters are indicating yields and crop grades are quite variable. The wet weather and frost in September have downgraded many crops. The strong wind during the weekend caused some neck-break in ripe barley fields. Producers are hauling bales in the morning while waiting for the crop to dry down. Some producers in the region have finished harvest and some will finish by the weekend. Winter wheat is being seeded. As crops are combined, producers are indicating the frost has affected quality more than originally thought. Producers are taking full advantage of the nice weather to get fall work done.
East-Central Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 5 and 6a)
The week was warm, sunny and windy with only trace amounts of rain recorded in a few areas in the region.
Producers were able to get another 32% of the crop harvested this week, and the region now has 61% of the 2010 harvest complete. An additional 33% is swathed or ready to straight-combine. Last year at this time, 70% of the crop had been combined. Crop District 5A has 56% combined; CD 5B, 59%; and CD 6A, 66%.
Crop reporters in the region are indicating the following grades for spring wheat that has been harvested: 2% 1CW, 31% 2 CW, 41% 3CW and 26% CW Feed.
Bleaching, sprouting, staining and lodging are the main causes of crop damage thanks to the rain in September. Frost damage is also being assessed as crops are combined.
Geese and cranes are causing crop damage.
Producers are happy have a good stretch of harvest weather. Fields are still quite wet, but the warm and windy weather is helping to dry things up. Crops combined during the past week were put into the bin dry. Crop reporters have indicated low-lying areas in fields are being left for now due to wet conditions. If the drying weather continues, these areas may get combined at a later date. Field access is still difficult as roads are very soft. Some fields are still not able to support equipment at this time. Some farmers have finished harvest due to low seeded acres. Winter wheat is emerging. Crop reporters are indicating the wet weather and frost have downgraded crops. Crop yields are quite variable. A couple weeks of good weather is needed to dry the ground and harvest the majority of the crop.
West-Central Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 6B and 7)
Great harvest weather during the past week allowed for combines to continue rolling in the fields. Only trace amounts of rain were reported in a few areas in the region.
Another 27% of the crop is in the bin, bringing the region to 47% combined. An additional 39% is swathed or ready to straight-cut. Last year at this time, 74% of the crop had been combined. Crop District 6B has 61% combined; CD 7A, 45%; and CD 7B, 53%.
Crop reporters in the region are indicating the following grades for spring wheat that has been harvested: 10% 1CW, 35% 2 CW, 40% 3CW and 15% CW Feed.
The majority of crop damage is due to the excess moisture and frost. The moisture in September downgraded crops, and caused mould, flooding, lodging, sprouting and bleaching. Ergot was reported in a few areas. Geese and cranes are causing crop damage. The wind scattered some canola and lentil swaths. Crop yields and quality are variable through out the region.
Harvest is in full swing. A couple of weeks of the warm weather are needed to get the majority of the crop in the bin. Combines are getting stuck, but there is some drying of fields. Farmers are hauling bales in the morning and servicing equipment while waiting for the crop to dry down. Producers are taking full advantage of the nice weather to get harvest and fall work completed.
Northeastern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 8 and 9AE)
The week was warm and sunny for the most part. A few areas received showers that produced as much as 7 mm of rain. Other areas received no rain.
The region has 68% of the crop combined, a significant increase over last weeks 32%. An additional 26% is swathed or ready to straight-combine. Last year at this time, the region had 62% of the 2009 crop combined. Crop District 8A has 71% of the crop combined, CD 8B 69% and CD 9AE 57% combined.
Crop reporters in the region are indicating the following grades for spring wheat that has been harvested: 12% 1CW, 41% 2 CW, 30% 3CW and 17% CW Feed.
Crop damage is due to frost and the excess moisture during the growing season.
Excess moisture is causing flooding, disease, lodging, sprouting and bleaching.
Sunny and warm weather allowed for great harvest progress. Crops are slow to dry down. Some cereals and canola are being combined tough. Wet field conditions are making harvest difficult and combines need to go slowly. There have been some reports of fusarium in wheat. Aeration fans and grain dryers are in use. There are still some late-seeded crops in the region that need a few more days before they are mature enough to harvest. Farmers are hoping for a couple more weeks of decent harvesting weather.
Northwestern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 9AW and 9B)
Sunny and warm weather allowed combines to continue to roll. Very little rain was recorded in the region for the week. A few spotty showers shut some combines down for a while. The Spiritwood area received 15 mm of rain, the Lloydminster area received 4 mm and the Meadow Lake area received 5 mm.
The northwest has 57% of the 2010 crop combined. Good weather allowed producers to get an additional 32% of the crop combined. Thirty-eight% of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-combine. Last year at this time, 62% of the crop was off the field. Crop District 9AW has 56% of the crop combined and CD 9B has 57% of the crop combined.
Crop reporters in the region are indicating the following grades for spring wheat that has been harvested: 14% 1CW, 46% 2 CW, 33% 3CW and 7% CW Feed.
Rain and frost have caused the majority of crop damage. Excess rain has caused flooding, lodging, sprouting and bleaching of crops.
Most crops are going into the bin dry. Grain dryers and aeration fans are running for the crops harvested last week. Combines are getting stuck and grain trucks and carts have to be careful where they travel in the field. Although quality is not the best, most producers seem to be happy with their yields. Warm and sunny weather is needed for a couple of weeks to finish the 2010 harvest.
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