For the Period September 10 to 16, 2013

One year ago Seventy-four per cent of the 2012 crop had been combined. Sixty-seven per cent of the spring wheat had been combined.

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Saskatchewan Harvest September 16, 2013 %  combined  Winter wheat 98 Fall rye* 99 Spring wheat 49 Durum 54 Oats 28 Barley 58 Canola 52 Mustard 66 Lentils 91 Peas 97 Chickpeas 17 Canaryseed 16 Flax 3 *includes five per cent ‘other'

Harvest Progress in SK Per cent combined All Crops Sept 16/13 55 5 year avg. (2008-2012) 44 Sept 18/12 74 Sept 13/11 59 Sept 14/10 14 Sept 15/09 32 Sept 14/08 39

Warm and dry weather over the past week resulted in significant harvest progress being made.  Saskatchewan farmers now have 55 per cent of the 2013 crop combined, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's Weekly Crop Report.  Thirty per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut.  The five-year average (2008-2012) for this time of year is 44 per cent combined and 31 per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut.

Harvest is most advanced in the southwestern region, where 69 per cent of the crop is combined.  Fifty-five per cent is combined in the southeast; 45 per cent in the east-central region; 64 per cent in the west-central region; 39 per cent in the northeast and 48 per cent in the northwestern region.

Of the crops that have been harvested so far, 97 per cent of the peas, 83 per cent of the lentils and 70 per cent of the durum is estimated to fall within the top two quality grades.  While overall yields are reported to be above average, they vary from region to region.

Province-wide, the week's rainfall ranged from nil to 13 mm.

Very little crop damage was reported.  Wind in the southeastern and east-central regions caused some canola swaths to blow around.  Light frost was reported in the southeastern and east-central regions as well; however, crops have matured enough that damage is expected to be minimal.

Across the province, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as one per cent surplus, 48 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and 10 per cent very short.  Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 47 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and 13 per cent very short.

Farmers are busy swathing, combining 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)

Fifty-five per cent of the 2013 crop has been combined, and 24 per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut. The five-year average (2008-2012) for the region is 53 per cent combined, ranging from 21 per cent in 2010 to 90 per cent in 2012. Sixty-eight per cent of the crop is combined in Crop District 2A, 59 per cent in crop districts 3ASE and 2B, 47 per cent in Crop District 1B and 44 per cent in Crop District 1A. Above-average crop yields with good quality is being reported in the majority of the region.

Fifty-two per cent of the peas are expected to fall in the 1CAN grade and 48 per cent in the 2CAN grade. Sixty-four per cent of the lentils are expected to grade 2CAN and 36 per cent 3CAN. Sixteen per cent of the durum is expected to grade 1CWAD, 32 per cent 2CWAD and 49 per cent 3CWAD and three per cent 4 and 5 CWAD.

Rainfall ranged from nil to 5 mm (Radville area). Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as two per cent surplus, 64 per cent adequate, 29 per cent short and five per cent very short. Hay land and pasture moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 54 per cent adequate, 34 per cent short and eight per cent very short. 

Very little crop damage was reported this past week. Last week's heavy rain caused some localized flooding. Light frost was reported with temperatures dipping down to -1C; however, crops are mature enough that damage will be minimal. Strong winds blew some canola swaths around. In some areas, last week's rain has helped replenish some topsoil moisture and will help germinating winter cereals. Producers are busy harvesting and hauling bales.

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)

The region leads the province in harvest progress. Sixty-nine per cent of the 2013 crop is in the bin and an additional 16 per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut. The five-year average (2008-2012) for this time of year is 60 per cent combined, ranging from 25 per cent in 2010 to 93 per cent in 2012. Crop District 4B has 90 per cent of the crop combined; 4A and 3BN 76 per cent; 3AN 64 per cent; 3BS 61 per cent and 3ASW 51 per cent. Heavy rain in Crop District 3ASW delayed harvest for a few days last week. Some producers are expecting to finish their harvest in the next week or so. Most crop reporters are indicating yields are estimated to be well above average this year.

Forty-seven per cent of the peas are expected to grade 1CAN, 51 per cent will grade 2CAN and two per cent will fall in the 3CAN grade. Thirty-six per cent of the lentils are expected to grade 1CAN, 52 per cent 2CAN, 11 per cent 3CAN and one per cent sample. Thirty-seven per cent of the durum is expected to grade 1CWAD, 45 per cent 2CWAD, 16 per cent 3CWAD and two per cent 4 and 5 CWAD. Most areas reported no rain for the week. Total precipitation ranged from nil to 10 mm (Cadillac area).

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 66 per cent adequate, 26 per cent short and six per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 65 per cent adequate, 30 per cent short and five per cent very short. Crop District 4B is reporting 25 per cent of the cropland, hay land and pasture is very short of topsoil moisture.

Very little crop damage was reported. Last week's rain caused some bleaching of swathed cereals. Farmers are busy harvesting, baling straw and hauling bales.

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)

The region made significant harvest progress over last week and producers now have 45 per cent of the crop combined. Forty-one per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut. The five-year average (2008-2012) for this time of year is 38 per cent combined, ranging from nine per cent in 2010 to 73 per cent in 2012. Crop District 6A has 53 per cent combined, 5A has 42 per cent and 5B has 39 per cent combined. Most areas received no rain over the week, so harvest continued uninterrupted. Rainfall in the region ranged from nil to 13 mm (Humboldt area). Crop reporters are indicating crop yields are above average and crop quality is good.

Thirty-six per cent of the peas are expected to fall in the 1CAN grade, 63 per cent in the 2CAN grade and one per cent in 3CAN grade. Thirty-eight per cent of the lentils are expected to grade 1CAN and 62 per cent 2CAN. Fifty-five per cent of the durum is expected to grade 2CWAD, 35 per cent 3CWAD and 10 per cent 4 and 5 CWAD.  

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 38 per cent adequate, 56 per cent short and six per cent very short.  Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 37 per cent adequate, 50 per cent short and 13 per cent very short.  Some areas could use a rain to relieve moisture stress on pastures

Very little crop damage was reported in the region this week. High winds moved some canola swaths around in some areas. A light frost was reported; however, crop reporters are indicating the majority of the crop has advanced far enough to avoid any significant frost damage. Farmers are busy harvesting, baling straw and hauling bales.

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

Sixty-four per cent of the 2013 crop is combined and 26 per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut. The five-year average (2008-2012) for this time of year is 38 per cent combined, ranging from seven per cent in 2010 to 64 per cent in 2012. Crop District 7A has 71 per cent combined; 7B 65 per cent; and 6B 58 per cent. Crop reporters are indicating yields are well above average for most areas of the region. Most areas received no rain during the week allowing combines to keep moving in the field.

Forty-seven per cent of the peas are expected to grade 1CAN, 51 per cent will grade 2CAN and two per cent 3CAN. Twenty-four and 64 per cent of the lentils are expected to grade 1CAN and 2CAN, respectively. Twelve per cent of the lentils will grade 3CAN. Forty per cent of the durum is expected to grade 1CWAD, 45 per cent 2CWAD and 15 per cent 3CWAD. 

Topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 25 per cent adequate, 50 per cent short and 25 per cent very short on cropland. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 20 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and 36 per cent very short. All crop districts in the region are reporting over half of the crop and hay land is short of topsoil moisture. Soil conditions are very dry in the region, as most areas have not had a significant amount of rain for a month or more. Dry conditions have resulted in a decrease in pasture productivity. Crop and combine fires have been reported. There are a few reports of ergot showing up in wheat samples. Although the rain predicted for this week may slow harvest down, most crop reporters are indicating they will gladly take it. 

Producers are busy harvesting, baling straw, hauling hay and starting fall weed control.

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)

Thirty-nine per cent of the crop is in the bin. Forty-five per cent is swathed or ready straight-cut. The five-year average (2008-2012) for this time of year is 33 per cent combined, ranging from nine per cent in 2010 to 55 per cent in 2012. Crop District 8A has 41 per cent combined; 9AE 39 per cent; and 8B 37 per cent. Very little rain was reported in the region, allowing farmers to stick with harvest operations. Average to above-average yields are being reported for the region, depending on excess spring and growing season moisture.

Forty-nine per cent of the peas are expected to grade 1CAN, 47 per cent 2CAN and three per cent 3CAN. Topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 45 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and eight per cent very short. Topsoil moisture on hay land and pasture is reported as two per cent surplus, 51 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and eight per cent very short.

Very little crop damage was reported in the region. High winds caused some canola swaths to blow around in a few areas. Field and combine fires have been reported due to dry and windy conditions. Producers are busy harvesting and hauling hay. 

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

Forty-eight per cent of the crop is in the bin, and 42 per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut. The five-year average (2008-2012) for this time of year is 26 per cent combined, ranging from seven per cent in 2010 to 46 per cent in 2012. Crop District 9AW has 54 per cent combined and Crop District 9B has 42 per cent combined. No rain was reported during the past week. Above-average yields and good quality are being reported.

Sixty per cent of the peas are expected to grade 1CAN, 38 per cent 2CAN and two per cent 3CAN. Topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 39 per cent adequate, 45 per cent short and 16 per cent very short. Topsoil moisture on hay land and pasture is reported as 36 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and 20 per cent very short.  Pasture conditions in some areas are very dry.

Very little crop damage was reported in the region. There are a few reports of ergot showing up in wheat samples. Producers are busy harvesting and hauling bales.

Saskatchewan Harvest Progress September 16, 2013