Producers across the province now have 16 per cent of the 2015 crop combined and 19 per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report. The five-year (2010-2014) average for this time of the year is six per cent combined and 14 per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut.

Regionally, producers in the southwest have 33 per cent of the crop combined, while those in the southeast have 27 per cent combined. Eight per cent of the crop is combined in the west-central region, three per cent in the east-central and northwestern regions, and two per cent in the northeast.

Rainfall and cool temperatures during the week caused some delays in harvesting. Rainfall ranged from trace amounts to two and a half inches in some areas. Provincially, topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as seven per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate, 11 per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 73 per cent adequate, 19 per cent short and five 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

There are reports of bleaching, staining or sprouting of some cereal crops due to weather conditions. Localized hail, wind and frost caused some crop damage. Farmers are busy with harvesting.

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)

Three per cent of the 2015 crop is now in the bin and an additional 19 per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut.

Rainfall in the region ranged from two mm in the Foam Lake area to 33 mm in the Lumsden area. The Meacham area has received 376 mm of rainfall since April 1, the greatest amount for the region. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 10 per cent surplus, 85 per cent adequate, three per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 90 per cent adequate, four per cent short and two per cent very short.

Rain and cool weather delayed harvesting in some areas. Some crop damage was caused by strong winds and flooding.

Farmers are busy with harvest operations.