For the Period September 2 to 8, 2014

One year ago Warm and dry weather was helping harvest along. Thirty per cent of the 2013 crop had been combined while 36 per cent was swathed or ready to be straight combined.

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Harvest Progress in SK Per cent Combined All Crops Sept 8/14 14 5 year avg. (2009-2013) 26 Sept 9/13 30 Sept 3/12 38 Sept 5/11 32 Sept 6/10 13 Sept 7/09 18 10 year avg. (2004-2013) 29

Saskatchewan Harvest September 8 % combined Winter wheat* 53 Fall rye** 77 Spring wheat 5 Durum 6 Oats*** 6 Barley 12 Canaryseed 1 Flax 1 Canola 10 Mustard 16 Soybeans 0 Lentils 34 Peas 65 Chickpeas 1 *includes three per cent ‘other' **includes 18 per cent ‘other' ***includes two per cent ‘other'

Another week of cool and wet weather has delayed harvest for many producers, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's weekly Crop Report. Fourteen per cent of the provincial crop has now been combined, while 39 per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut. The five-year average (2009-2013) for this time of year is 26 per cent combined and 32 per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut.

Harvest is furthest advanced in the southwestern region, where 23 per cent of the crop is combined. Sixteen per cent is combined in the west-central region; 15 per cent in the southeast; 11 per cent in the northeast; 10 per cent in the northwest and six per cent in the east-central region.

Provincially, 77 per cent of the fall rye, 65 per cent of the field peas, 53 per cent of the winter wheat, 34 per cent of the lentils, 16 per cent of the mustard, 12 per cent of the barley and 10 per cent of the canola have been combined. Seventy-one per cent of the canola is swathed or ready to straight-cut.

Much of the province received rain this past week, with some areas receiving several inches over the course of a day. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 31 per cent surplus, 68 per cent adequate and one per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 22 per cent surplus, 76 per cent adequate and two per cent short.

Yields vary greatly across the province but overall are estimated to be average. The wet field conditions and continuous rain have damaged many crops and quality remains a concern with  some pulses and cereals. Strong winds, hail and frost have also caused some damage.

Farmers are hoping for improved weather to help harvest progress.

Southeastern Saskatchewan (Crop District 1 - Carnduff, Estevan, Redvers, Moosomin and Kipling areas; Crop District 2 - Weyburn, Milestone, Moose Jaw, Regina and Qu'Appelle areas; Crop District 3ASE - Radville and Lake Alma areas)

Heavy rainfall and wet field conditions have prevented many producers from getting back in the field. Swaths are slow to dry and much of the grain is coming off tough. There are many concerns about crop quality due to bleached and sprouted grains, and downgrading is expected. There are also reports of many stuck combines and muddy roads. Strong winds have lodged many crops.

At this time, 15 per cent of the crop has been combined, up from seven per cent last week. An additional 37 per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut. Thirty-one per cent of the crop is combined in Crop District 3ASE; 22 per cent in 2A; 14 per cent in 2B; 10 per cent in 1A and seven per cent in 1B.

The majority of the region received rain last week, ranging from small amounts to 91 mm in the Moosomin area. This area has also received the greatest amount of rainfall since April 1 for both the region and the province (874 mm). Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 56 per cent surplus and 44 per cent adequate. Hay land and pasture moisture is rated as 39 per cent surplus and 61 per cent adequate.

Some producers have been able to seed winter cereals but many intended acres may not get seeded this year due to the late harvest. There are reports of large grasshopper populations in some fields.  Farmers are busy with harvest operations and would appreciate some warm and dry weather soon.

Southwestern Saskatchewan (Crop District 3ASW - Coronach, Assiniboia and Ogema areas; Crop District 3AN - Gravelbourg, Mossbank, Mortlach and Central Butte areas; Crop District 3B - Kyle, Swift Current , Shaunavon and Ponteix areas; Crop District 4 - Consul, Maple Creek and Leader areas)

Unfavourable weather conditions and wet fields continue to delay harvest for most producers. Fields are slow to dry and much of the crop is coming off tough. There are quality concerns as many crops have bleached or sprouted due to the wet conditions. It is expected that there will be significant downgrading of some cereal and pulse crops. Strong winds have lodged many crops and knocked over bins and railcars.   

At this time, 23 per cent of the crop has been combined, up from 17 per cent last week. An additional 28 per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut. Thirty-one per cent of the crop is combined in Crop District 4B; 26 per cent in 3BN and 4A; 23 per cent in 3BS; 17 per cent in 3AN and 14 per cent in 3ASW.   

Rainfall this week ranged from small amounts to 65 mm in the Moose Jaw and Mortlach areas. Since April 1, the Cadillac area has received 583 mm of rain, the greatest amount for the region.  Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 36 per cent surplus, 63 per cent adequate and one per cent short. Hay land and pasture moisture is rated as 21 per cent surplus, 78 per cent adequate and one per cent short.

Some producers have been able to seed winter cereals, but many intended acres may not get seeded this year due to the late harvest. Farmers are busy with harvest operations and would appreciate some warm and dry weather soon.

East-Central Saskatchewan (Crop District 5 - Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville and Kelvington areas; Crop District 6A - Lumsden, Craik, Watrous and Clavet areas)

Like much of the province, harvest operations in the east-central region are delayed due to wet and cool conditions. Crops that have been combined are coming off tough and fields are slow to dry. Many combines and other equipment are getting stuck in the mud. There are quality concerns for some pulses and cereals that have sprouted and bleached from the rain. As many crops are behind normal development, frost is also a concern in the region.

Just six per cent of the crop is now in the bin, up slightly from three per cent last week. An additional 42 per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut. Eleven per cent of the crop in CD 6A is combined; four per cent in 5A and two per cent in 5B.

Heavy rainfall and strong winds have lodged many crops in the area. Rainfall this past week ranged from trace amounts to 94 mm in the Raymore area, while the Foam Lake area has received the greatest rainfall amount since April 1 (722 mm). Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 43 per cent surplus, 56 per cent adequate and one per cent short. Hay land and pasture moisture is rated as 30 per cent surplus, 68 per cent adequate and two per cent short.

Farmers are busy with harvest operations and would appreciate some warm and dry weather soon.

West-Central Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 6B - Hanley, Outlook, Loreburn, Saskatoon and Arelee areas; Crop District 7A - Rosetown, Kindersley, Eston, Major; CD 7B - Kerrobert, Macklin, Wilkie and Biggar areas)

The west-central region made good harvest progress this past week and16 per cent of the crop is now in the bin, up from six per cent last week. An additional 41 per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut. Seventeen per cent of crops in CDs 6B and 7B and 13 per cent of crops in 7A have now been combined.

Heavy rain after the weekend is delaying further progress for many producers and there are quality concerns on some pulses and cereals that have sprouted and bleached. There are also concerns of potential frost damage on immature crops. 

Rainfall ranged from trace amounts to 42 mm in the Netherhill area. Since April 1, the Major area has received the greatest amount of cumulative rainfall at 436 mm. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 13 per cent surplus, 86 per cent adequate and one per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 10 per cent surplus, 87 per cent adequate and three per cent short.

Farmers are busy with harvest operations and bringing cattle home.

Northeastern Saskatchewan (Crop District 8 - Hudson Bay, Tisdale, Melfort, Carrot River, Humboldt, Kinistino, Cudworth and Aberdeen areas; Crop District 9AE - Prince Albert, Choiceland and Paddockwood areas)

Good harvest progress was made this past week thanks to dry weather; however, rainfall and high moisture levels in the field have delayed operations for many producers and much of the grain has been coming off tough. There are concerns of downgrading due to sprouted and bleached crops and of frost damage on immature crops.  

Eleven per cent of the crop has now been combined, up from three per cent last week. An additional 51 per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut. Sixteen per cent of the crop in CD 8A is combined; nine per cent in 8B and three per cent in 9AE.

Rainfall ranged from small amounts to 21 mm in the Tisdale area. Since April 1, the Lake Lenore area has received the greatest amount of rainfall (496 mm). Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as three per cent surplus and 97 per cent adequate. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus and 99 per cent adequate.

Farmers are busy harvesting and moving cattle. Warm and dry weather would be appreciated to help dry fields and mature crops.

Northwestern Saskatchewan (Crop District 9AW - Shellbrook, North Battleford, Big River and Hafford areas; Crop District 9B - Meadow Lake, Turtleford, Pierceland, Maidstone and Lloydminster areas)

Harvest has stopped for many producers in the region due to cool weather and rain. There are concerns of frost damage on many immature crops and downgrading of pulses and cereals due to sprouting and bleaching. Haying continues for some producers but swaths are slow to dry.

Ten per cent of the crop is in the bin, up from two per cent last week. An additional 51 per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut. CD 9B has eleven per cent of the crop combined while 9AW has eight per cent combined.

The Neilburg area received the greatest amount of rain this past week (15 mm), while the North Battleford area has received 515 mm since April 1. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 12 per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate and six per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as ten per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate and nine per cent short.

Farmers are busy harvesting, hauling bales and moving cattle. Warm and dry weather would be appreciated to help harvest along.

Saskatchewan Harvest Progress - September 8, 2014

*Other - crop that will not be harvested due to weather, insect or disease damage or will be greenfeed