For the Period September 8 to 14, 2015

One year ago Harvest was progressing slowly due to cool and wet weather. Twenty-three per cent of the 2014 crop had been combined with an additional 43 per cent swathed or ready to straight cut. Frost damaged many crops across the province.

Follow the 2015 Crop Report on Twitter @SKAgriculture

Harvest Progress in SK Per cent Combined All Crops Sept 14/15 52 5 year avg. (2010-2014) 42 Sept 15/14 23 Sept 16/13 55 Sept 10/12 56 Sept 12/11 60 Sept 13/10 14 10 year avg. (2005-2014) 46

Saskatchewan Harvest September 14, 2015 % combined Winter wheat 99 Fall rye* 98 Spring wheat 46 Durum 64 Oats* 28 Barley** 52 Canaryseed 19 Flax 15 Canola 38 Mustard 60 Soybeans 22 Lentils 93 Peas 97 Chickpeas 14 *includes  three per cent ‘other' **includes one per cent ‘other'

Harvest is advancing despite delays due to wet field conditions. Warm and dry weather is needed before many producers can return to the field. Fifty-two per cent of the 2015 crop is combined and 30 per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's weekly Crop Report. The five-year (2010-2014) average for this time of year is 42 per cent combined and 33 per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut.   

Regionally, producers in the southwest are furthest advanced, having 75 per cent of the crop combined. Producers in the southeast have 73 per cent combined. Forty per cent of the crop is combined in the west-central region; 37 per cent in the east-central region; 30 per cent in the northwest and 29 per cent in the northeast.

Rainfall this past week ranged from trace amounts to more than an inch in some southwestern and northeastern areas. Provincially, topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 11 per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate, six per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated as five per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate, 12 per cent short and two per cent very short.

Strong winds have blown swaths around and lodged and shelled out some standing crops. Some parts of the province received frost, but damage is minimal in most cases as crops were mature. Of the crops that have been harvested so far, 86 per cent of the field peas, 76 per cent of the lentils and 70 per cent of the durum are estimated to fall within the top two quality grades. However, weather-related quality issues such as bleaching and sprouting remain a concern in many areas. While overall yields are reported to be about average, they vary from region to region.

The Ministry of Agriculture has a Forage, Feed and Custom Service listing for producers to advertise and source feed products. It is available at: www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/FeedForageListing 

Farmers are busy with harvest operations and hauling bales.

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)

Many producers were able to return to the field for a few days last week after heavy rain brought harvest to a halt. Seventy-three per cent of the crop is in the bin, up from 59 per cent last week. The five-year (2010-2014) average for this time of year is 50 per cent combined. While many producers have wrapped up harvest, others will need at least another few weeks of warm and dry weather.  

Very little rainfall was reported in the region. The Moose Jaw region received 4 mm. At 398 mm, the Tantallon area holds the regional record for the greatest amount of rainfall since April 1. Cropland topsoil moisture is currently rated as seven per cent surplus, 85 per cent adequate and eight per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 87 per cent adequate, 10 per cent short and one per cent very short.    

Although average yields are being reported overall, quality remains an issue in much of the region due to sprouting, bleaching and staining. Thirty-two per cent of the field peas are expected to fall into the 1CAN grade, 42 per cent in 2CAN, 21 per cent in 3CAN and five per cent as sample. Three per cent of the lentils are expected to grade 1CAN, 49 per cent 2CAN, 46 per cent 3CAN and two per cent sample. Twenty-two per cent of the durum is expected to grade 1CWAD, 45 per cent 2CWAD, 29 per cent 3CWAD and four per cent 4 and 5 CWAD. Frost was received in some areas, although damage is minimal in most cases as crops were mature. Strong winds have also lodged and shelled out some standing crops.

Farmers are busy harvesting, hauling bales and spraying weeds.

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)

Seventy-five per cent of the crop is now in the bin as most producers were able to return to the field late last week. This is up significantly from 61 per cent last week. The five-year (2010-2014) average for this time of year is 56 per cent combined. Many producers have completed harvest but others will need at least another week or more of warm and dry weather.

Rainfall in the region ranged from trace amounts to 41 mm in the Richmound area. At 485 mm, the Mortlach area holds the regional record for the greatest amount of rainfall since April 1. Cropland topsoil moisture is currently rated as five per cent surplus, 80 per cent adequate, 13 per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 67 per cent adequate, 25 per cent short and five per cent very short. Crop District 3ASW is reporting that 10 per cent of cropland and 16 per cent of hay land and pasture are very short topsoil moisture at this time.

Yields are average overall and many crops have yielded higher than expected. Quality remains an issue in some cereal crops, as sprouting, bleaching and staining have downgraded samples. Twenty-two per cent of the field peas are expected to fall into the 1CAN grade, 64 percent in 2CAN and 14 per cent in 3CAN. Eighteen per cent of the lentils are expected to grade 1CAN, 64 per cent 2CAN and 18 per cent 3CAN. Thirty-five per cent of the durum is expected to grade 1CWAD, 39 per cent 2CWAD, 21 per cent 3CWAD and five per cent 4 and 5 CWAD. Strong winds have lodged and shelled out some standing crops. Many producers are aerating tough grain as time and space allows.

Farmers are busy harvesting, moving cattle and spraying weeds.

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)

Relatively dry field conditions allowed many producers to re-start harvest . Thirty-seven per cent of the crop is now combined, up from 22 per cent last week. The five-year (2010-2014) average for this time of year is 34 per cent combined.

Rainfall ranged from trace amounts to 10 mm in the Stalwart area. At 401 mm, the Meacham area holds the regional record for the greatest amount of rainfall since April 1. Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 15 per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate, two per cent short and one per cent very short, while hay land and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 10 per cent surplus, 85 per cent adequate, four per cent short and one per cent very short.

Crop yields are average overall, and there are reports of crops yielding much higher than first expected. Quality is an issue for many producers as bleaching and sprouting is common in some areas. Twenty-four per cent of the field peas are expected to fall into the 1CAN grade, 60 percent in 2CAN, 14 per cent in 3CAN and two per cent as sample. Eleven per cent of the lentils are expected to grade 1CAN, 65 per cent 2CAN and 24 per cent 3CAN. Eleven per cent of the durum is expected to grade 1CWAD, 40 per cent 2CWAD, 34 per cent 3CWAD and 15 per cent 4 and 5 CWAD. Frost was received in some areas, although damage is minimal in most cases as crops were mature. Strong winds have lodged and shelled out some standing crops.

Farmers are busy harvesting, spraying weeds and waiting for fields to dry up.

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)

Most producers were able to return to combining thanks to relatively dry weather late last week. Forty per cent of the crop is now off, up from 33 per cent last week. The five-year (2010-2014) average for this time of year is 39 per cent combined.

Rainfall in the region ranged from trace amounts to 11 mm in the Smiley area. At 329 mm, the Outlook area holds the regional record for the greatest amount of rainfall since April 1. Cropland topsoil moisture is currently rated as three per cent surplus, 96 per cent adequate and one per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 96 per cent adequate and three per cent short.

Although average yields are being reported overall, quality remains an issue in much of the region due to sprouting, bleaching and staining. Twenty-nine per cent of the field peas are expected to fall into the 1CAN grade, 60 percent in 2CAN, 10 per cent in 3CAN and one per cent as sample. Twelve per cent of the lentils are expected to grade 1CAN, 64 per cent 2CAN, 21 per cent 3CAN and three per cent as sample. Six per cent of the durum is expected to grade 1CWAD, 60 per cent 2CWAD, 30 per cent 3CWAD and four per cent 4 and 5 CWAD. Strong winds have lodged and shelled out some standing crops.

Farmers are busy harvesting, hauling bales and moving cattle.  

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)

Heavy rain and wet field conditions slowed harvest in much of the region this past week. Twenty-nine per cent of the crop is now combined, up from 20 per cent last. The five-year (2010-2014) average for this time of year is 30 per cent combined. Warm and dry weather will be needed for many weeks to dry fields enough that producers can get the rest of the crop in the bin.

Rainfall ranged from trace amounts to 47 mm in the Nipawin area. At 441 mm, the Humboldt area holds the regional record for the greatest amount of rainfall since April 1. Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 43 per cent surplus, 56 per cent adequate and one per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 22 per cent surplus, 75 per cent adequate and three per cent short. Crop District 8A is reporting that 80 per cent of cropland and 43 per cent of hay land and pasture have surplus topsoil moisture at this time.   

The recent rainfall and strong winds have caused significant lodging and there are many reports of sprouting, bleaching and staining in cereal crops in the area. At this time, 24 per cent of the field peas are expected to fall into the 1CAN grade, 63 percent in 2CAN and 13 per cent in 3CAN. Thirty per cent of the lentils are expected to grade 1CAN, 32 per cent 2CAN, five per cent 3CAN and 33 per cent sample. Only 10 per cent of the durum is expected to grade 2CWAD. Twenty-five per cent is expected to grade 3CWAD while 65 per cent will grade 4 and 5 CWAD.

Farmers are busy harvesting and waiting for fields to dry up.

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

Warm and dry weather will be needed before many fields are dry enough for harvest to continue. Thirty per cent of the crop is now in the bin, up from 22 per cent last week. The five-year (2010-2014) average for this time of year is 28 per cent combined.

Rainfall last week ranged from trace amounts to 8 mm in the Glaslyn, Barthel and Meadow Lake areas. At 336 mm, the Barthel area holds the regional record for the greatest amount of rainfall since April 1. Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as six per cent surplus, 88 per cent adequate and six per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent surplus, 86 per cent adequate and nine per cent short.

Although average yields are being reported overall, quality remains an issue in much of the region due to sprouting, bleaching and staining. Thirty-two per cent of the field peas are expected to fall into the 1CAN grade, 64 percent in 2CAN, three per cent in 3CAN and one per cent as sample. Forty-eight per cent of the lentils are expected to grade 1CAN while 52 per cent is expected to grade 3CAN. Strong winds have lodged and shelled out some standing crops. Frost was received in some areas and there may be damage on some later-seeded canola.

Farmers are busy harvesting and waiting for fields to dry.

Saskatchewan Harvest Progress - September 14, 2015

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