For the Period September 29 to October 5, 2015

One year ago Wet and cool weather stalled harvest progress for many producers. Seventy-two per cent of the crop had been combined. High levels of fusarium head blight were being reported in most areas of the province.

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Saskatchewan Harvest October 5, 2015 % combined Winter wheat 100 Fall rye 99 Spring wheat 84 Durum 85 Oat* 77 Barley 86 Canaryseed 45 Flax 47 Canola 81 Mustard 94 Soybeans 79 Lentils 99 Peas 99 Chickpeas 61 *includes three per cent ‘other'

Harvest Progress in SK Per cent Combined All Crops Oct 5/15 84 5 year avg. (2010-2014) 83 Oct 6/14 72 Oct 7/13 89 Oct 1/12 97 Oct 3/11 98 Oct 4/10 60 10 year avg. (2005-2014) 84

Wet and cool weather over the weekend has slowed harvest progress for many producers, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's Weekly Crop Report.  Eighty-four per cent of the crop is now in the bin, up from 74 per cent last week.  Twelve per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut.

The five-year (2010-2014) average for this time of year is 83 per cent combined and 12 per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut.

Regionally, producers in the southeast are furthest advanced, having 94 per cent of the crop combined.  Producers in the southwest have 92 per cent combined.  Eighty-one per cent of the crop is combined in the west-central region; 75 per cent in the east-central region; 74 per cent in the northeast and 73 per cent in the northwest.

Eighty-six per cent of barley, 85 per cent of durum, 84 per cent of spring wheat, 81 per cent of canola, 79 per cent of soybeans, 61 per cent of chickpeas, 47 per cent of flax and 45 per cent of canary seed have been combined.

Crop yields vary from region to region but are generally within the average range.  Average yields are reported as 37 bushels per acre for spring wheat, 32 bushels per acre for durum, 59 bushels per acre for barley, 34 bushels per acre for canola and 32 bushels per acre for peas.

Of the hard red spring wheat that has been harvested so far, 27 per cent is expected to fall into the 1CW grade, 41 per cent into 2CW, 23 per cent into 3CW and nine per cent into CW feed.

Rainfall last week ranged from trace amounts to nearly two inches in the southwest.  Provincially, topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 14 per cent surplus, 78 per cent adequate and eight per cent short.  Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent surplus, 80 per cent adequate, 11 per cent short and four per cent very short.

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 harvesting and hauling bales and grain.

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)

Wet and cool conditions over the weekend halted harvest for many producers. While many producers have wrapped up harvest, others will need at least another week or more of warm and dry weather before they are done. Ninety-four per cent of the crop is now in the bin, up from 88 per cent last week. The five-year (2010-2014) average for this time of year is 82 per cent combined.

Crop yields in general are considered to be about average but vary throughout the region. Of the hard red spring wheat that has been harvested so far, 40 per cent is expected to fall into the 1CW grade, 45 per cent into 2CW, 12 per cent into 3CW and three per cent into CW feed. Quality remains a concern in some crops due to the wet conditions this fall. Swaths are slow to dry down in some areas and some tough grain is being placed into aeration.

Rainfall in the region ranged from small amounts to 32 mm in the Weyburn area. Most of the region did not receive any rainfall this past week, although the Moosomin area is reporting 6 mm. At 422 mm, the Tantallon area holds the regional record for the greatest amount of rainfall since April 1. Cropland topsoil moisture is currently rated as 10 per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate and eight per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 79 per cent adequate and 17 per cent short.

Farmers are finishing up harvest as weather permits and completing fall work.

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)

Despite cool and wet conditions last week that stalled harvest in some areas, 92 per cent of the crop is now in the bin, up from 85 per cent last week. The five-year (2010-2014) average for this time of year is 87 per cent combined. Most producers will need at least another week or two of warm and dry weather in order to complete harvest.  

Crop yields in general are considered to be about average but vary throughout the region. Of the hard red spring wheat that has been harvested so far, 34 per cent is expected to fall into the 1CW grade, 28 per cent into 2CW, 26 per cent into 3CW and 12 per cent into CW feed. Quality remains a concern in some crops due to the wet conditions this fall. Many flax crops remain green and producers are hoping for frost to help bring the crop in.

Rainfall ranged from 13 mm to 46 mm in the Gull Lake area. At 557 mm, the Mortlach area holds the regional and provincial records for the greatest amount of rainfall since April 1. Cropland topsoil moisture is currently rated as six per cent surplus, 79 per cent adequate, 11 per cent short and four per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 73 per cent adequate, 17 per cent short and four per cent very short.

Farmers are finishing up harvest, hauling bales and completing fall work.

 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)

Cool and wet conditions continue to delay harvest in many areas . Seventy-five per cent of the crop is now combined, up from 66 per cent last week. The five-year (2010-2014) average for this time of year is 79 per cent combined. Most producers will need several more weeks of warm and dry weather to finish up harvest.  

Crop yields in general are considered to be about average but vary throughout the region. Of the hard red spring wheat that has been harvested so far, 19 per cent is expected to fall into the 1CW grade, 45 per cent into 2CW, 25 per cent into 3CW and 11 per cent into CW feed. Quality remains a concern in some crops due to the wet conditions this fall. Many fields remain wet and swaths are slow to dry down in some areas.  

Rainfall ranged from trace amounts to 29 mm in the Bulyea area. At 439 mm, the Meacham area holds the regional record for the greatest amount of rainfall since April 1. Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 18 per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate and one per cent short, while hay land and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated as six per cent surplus, 92 per cent adequate and two per cent short.

Farmers are busy harvesting, hauling bales and completing fall work.

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)

Harvest continues in the region despite the wet and cool conditions over the weekend. Eighty-one per cent of the crop is now in the bin, up from 70 per cent last week. The five-year (2010-2014) average for this time of year is 83 per cent combined. Most producers will need at least another week or more of warm and dry weather to complete harvest.

Crop yields in general are considered to be about average but vary throughout the region. Of the hard red spring wheat that has been harvested so far, 18 per cent is expected to fall into the 1CW grade, 43 per cent into 2CW, 29 per cent into 3CW and 10 per cent into CW feed. Quality remains a concern in some crops due to the wet conditions this fall. The recent rain has sprouted and bleached the cereal crops still in the field.   

Rainfall ranged from trace amounts to 25 mm in the Outlook area. At 380 mm, the Outlook area continues to hold the regional record for the greatest amount of rainfall since April 1. Cropland topsoil moisture is currently rated as six per cent surplus, 91 per cent adequate and three per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 96 per cent adequate, three per cent short and one per cent very short.

Farmers are harvesting and completing fall work such as baling straw and spraying weeds.

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)

Significant combining progress was made last week prior to the cool and wet weather that stalled many producers. Seventy-four per cent of the crop is now in the bin, up from 59 per cent last week. The five-year (2010-2014) average for this time of year is 85 per cent combined. Producers will need several more weeks of warm and dry weather to finish up harvest.  

Crop yields in general are considered to be about average but vary throughout the region. Of the hard red spring wheat that has been harvested so far, 28 per cent is expected to fall into the 1CW grade, 40 per cent into 2CW, 23 per cent into 3CW and nine per cent into CW feed. Quality remains a concern in some crops due to the wet conditions this fall. Many crops have come off tough and are being placed in aeration as time allows.    

Rainfall in the region ranged from trace amounts to 25 mm in the Alvena area. At 484 mm, the Humboldt area holds the regional record for the greatest amount of rainfall since April 1. Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 51 per cent surplus and 49 per cent adequate. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 27 per cent surplus and 73 per cent adequate. Some fields remain very wet and cannot hold equipment for long periods of time.   

Farmers are busy harvesting, working fields and hauling bales.

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

A cool and wet weekend has stalled harvest for many producers in the region. Seventy-three per cent of the crop has now been combined, up from 57 per cent last week. The five-year (2010-2014) average for this time of year is 85 per cent combined. Producers will need several weeks of warm and dry weather to complete harvest. 

Crop yields in general are considered to be about average but vary throughout the region. Of the hard red spring wheat that has been harvested so far, 29 per cent is expected to fall into the 1CW grade, 34 per cent into 2CW, 29 per cent into 3CW and eight per cent into CW feed. Quality remains a concern in some crops due to the wet conditions this fall. Many crops have come off tough and are being placed in aeration as time allows.   

Rainfall in the region ranged from trace amounts to 28 mm in the Duck Lake area. At 399 mm, the Duck Lake area holds the regional record for the greatest amount of rainfall since April 1. Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 91 per cent adequate and nine per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 88 per cent adequate and 12 per cent short.

Farmers are busy harvesting, hauling bales and working fields.

Provincial Estimated Crop Yields - October 5, 2015

* 'Other wheat' includes all wheat classes other than Hard Red Spring Wheat
** Crop yield predictions at this point in time. Please keep in mind these are regional averages, and yields can vary greatly across an area.
*** canaryseed, mustard, lentil and chickpea in lbs/ac. All other crops in bu/ac.

Saskatchewan Harvest Progress - October 5, 2015

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