Canada's Pulse Harvest Underway

REGINA - Aug 10/16 - SNS -- Canada's pulse harvest is underway, but progress is well behind last year and the recent five-year average, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's latest crop progress report.

So far, an estimated 35% of Saskatchewan's winter wheat crop, 25% of the fall rye, 4% of the peas and 1% of the lentils have been harvested.

Harvest in the southeastern region is the furthest advanced, with 82% of the winter wheat, 16% of the peas and 2% of the lentils now in the bin, while 6% of the canola has been swathed. In comparison, 11% of the winter wheat and 4% of the peas have been combined in the southwest. Canola is being swathed and pulses are being desiccated in various areas of the province.

Saskatchewan Agriculture said last week was extremely wet for the majority of the province, with many areas receiving heavy downpours that caused crop damage due to lodging and flooding.

The Rhein area received 120 mm of rain, Langham 112 mm, Rosetown 99 mm, Tisdale 96 mm, Kyle 94 mm, Jedburgh 92 mm, Leader 84 mm, Moose Jaw 79 mm, Cando 63 mm, Kinistino 60 mm and Glaslyn 46 mm. Having received 537 mm of rain since April 1, the Kyle area holds the provincial record for cumulative rainfall. The driest part of the province is the Speers area, which has received only 108 mm of rain since April 1. A few areas in the far southeast and northwest received little rainfall during the past week.

Due to the excess moisture, field access will be an issue for producers in some areas, and wet fields may result in harvest equipment getting stuck. Lentils and peas in many areas of the province have suffered from season-long excess moisture. Diseases and hail have also caused crop damage.

Provincially, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 26% surplus, 70% adequate and 4% short.