Saskatchewan Harvest Wrapping Up

VANCOUVER - Oct 21/10 - SNS -- Saskatchewan's lengthy harvest is finally wrapping up after another week of warm and sunny weather, according to the latest crop progress report from Saskatchewan Agriculture.

At this time, roughly 97% of all crops are in the bin, with another 2% swathed or ready to straight-combine. The five-year provincial average (2005 to 2009) for this time of year is 92% combined. Last year at this time, Saskatchewan farmers had 77% of the crop in the bin, with an additional 20% swathed or ready to straight-combine.

Combining progress across the province as of October 18 was as follows: Southwest – 97%; Southeast – 96%; West-central – 95%; East-central – 98%; Northwest – 98%; Northeast – 98%.

           Saskatchewan Harvest Progress to October 18, 2010
                         (per cent in the bin)
                        2008       2009       2010 5-Yr Average 3-Yr Average
Mustard                 99.7       87.0       97.0       97.1       95.4
Sunflower               24.1        2.0        8.0       23.7       14.2
Lentils                 99.2       99.0       98.0       99.1       99.1
Field Peas             100.0       99.0      100.0       99.5       99.5
Chickpeas               80.8       80.0       73.0       90.8       85.0
Canaryseed              90.6       50.0       87.0       84.7       80.2
Flaxseed                83.6       30.0       85.0       75.9       67.8
Canola                  95.8       66.0       98.0       89.4       85.3
Spring Wheat            98.7       76.0       98.0       92.7       90.4
Durum                   98.7       87.0       95.0       96.9       95.1
Oats                    96.2       59.0       95.0       87.7       82.8
Barley                  99.0       85.0       97.0       94.8       93.6
Rye                     99.2       99.0      100.0       99.3       99.1
SOURCE: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Southeastern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 1, 2, and 3ASE)

Producers have 96% of the crop combined. Another three% is swathed or ready to straight-combine. With the exception of chickpeas, all crops are reported to be 90% or more harvested. Chickpeas are reported as 41% harvested and the remaining 57% is ready to combine.

Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are reported as 24% surplus, 74% adequate and 2% short. On hay land and pasture, topsoil moisture is rated as 12% surplus 81% adequate and seven% short.

Southwestern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 3ASW, 3AN, 3B and 4)

Producers have 96% of the crop combined; another 2% is swathed or ready to straight combine, and close to 2% is still standing. The majority of the crops are over 90% harvested. The exceptions are canaryseed (84%), flax (63%) and chickpeas (78%).

Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are reported as 1% surplus, 98% adequate and 1% short. On hay land and pasture, topsoil moisture is rated as 87% adequate and 13% short.

East-Central Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 5 and 6a)

Producers have 98% of the crop combined; another 2% is swathed or ready to straight-combine. The majority of the crops are at least 97% harvested.

The exceptions are canaryseed (87%) and flax (89%).

Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are reported as 49% surplus, 50% adequate and 1% short. On hay land and pasture, topsoil moisture is rated as 38% surplus 59% adequate and three% short.

West-Central Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 6B and 7)

Producers have 95% of the crop combined; another 4% is swathed or ready to straight-combine. The majority of the crops are over 90% harvested.

The exceptions are durum (88%), canaryseed (84%) and flax (72%).

Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are reported as seven% surplus, 90% adequate and three% short. On hay land and pasture, topsoil moisture is rated as 1% surplus 90% adequate and nine% short.

Northeastern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 8 and 9AE)

Producers have 98% of the crop combined; another 1% is swathed or ready to straight-combine. The majority of the crops are at least 95% harvested with the exception of flax (85%).

Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are reported as 32% surplus and 68% adequate. On hay land and pasture, topsoil moisture is rated as 26% surplus and 74% adequate.

Northwestern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 9AW and 9B)

Producers have 98% of the crop combined; another 2% is swathed or ready to straight-combine. All crops are over 95% harvested.

Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are reported as 1% surplus, 86% adequate and 13% short. On hay land and pasture, topsoil moisture is rated as 80% adequate and 20% short.

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