Fewer Lentils, More Peas Harvested

REGINA - Nov 24/16 - SNS -- Saskatchewan Agriculture's final crop report of the year suggests this year's lentil crop is smaller than forecast by Statistics Canada, while field pea and canaryseed output is significantly higher than forecast.

It is important to note that Statistics Canada will issue its final crop report of the year on December 6. Those numbers are based on a direct survey of farmers, whereas provincial estimates are based on reports from regional crop reporters.

Farmers made a lot of harvest progress since Saskatchewan Agriculture issued its last weekly report on October 24. The percentage of chickpeas harvested jumped from just 25% to 94%; while the mustard seed harvest advanced from 79% to 99% complete, and canaryseed from 50% to 82%. Farmers are expected to continue to try to harvest the rest of their canaryseed through the spring when field conditions allow.

Saskatchewan Agriculture said, "Producers are hopeful that much of the remaining crop will be taken off prior to winter, although there are indications that some crop will likely be left out until the spring."

With only 89% of the crop combined, the west-central region has the most crop remaining in the field. The northeastern region has 91% of the crop combined; the northwest has 95%; and the southeastern, southwestern and east-central regions each have 98% combined.

The dry weather has reduced moisture levels in some crops, although most are still being harvested tough and damp. Aeration bins and grain dryers have been in continuous operation on many farms for well over a month.

Yields overall are well above average for the majority of crops but vary throughout the province. Yields for hard red spring wheat are reported as 45 bushels per acre, durum 48 bushels per acre, oats 92 bushels per acre, barley 69 bushels per acre, canola 40 bushels per acre, peas 42 bushels per acre and lentils 1,098 pounds per acre.

Quality is below average for almost all crops due to damage from insects, fusarium and other diseases, sprouting, staining and bleaching.