Author: Nicole Czemeres
Crop Report August 25-31
Crop Report for the Period August 25 to 31, 2015
One year ago
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Warm and relatively dry weather has allowed producers to make good progress on harvest. Twenty-nine per cent of the crop is now combined and an additional 30 per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut. The five-year (2010-2014) average for this time of year is 14 per cent combined and 26 per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Regionally, producers in the southwest are furthest advanced, having 51 per cent of the crop combined. Producers in the southeast have 45 per cent of the crop combined. Twenty per cent of the crop is combined in the west-central region; 13 per cent in the northwest; 11 per cent in the east-central region; and 10 per cent in the northeast.
Rainfall this past week ranged from nil to 22 mm in some southeastern areas. Provincially, topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as three per cent surplus, 78 per cent adequate, 17 per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated as one per cent surplus, 67 per cent adequate, 27 per cent short and five per cent very short.
Pasture conditions across the province are rated as four per cent excellent, 43 per cent good, 36 per cent fair, 14 per cent poor and three per cent very poor. At this time, crop reporters are indicating that 11 per cent of the forage crops did not get cut or baled, mainly due to lack of growth.
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
Localized hail and wind has damaged some crops and there are reports of bleaching, staining or sprouting of cereal and pulse crops in some areas. Crop reporters are indicating that yields and grades are average overall. Some winter cereals are being seeded as time allows.
Farmers are busy with harvest operations.
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)
Eleven per cent of the crop is now combined in the region, up from three per cent last week. The five-year (2010-2014) average for this time of year is eight per cent combined. Rain showers and high humidity are delaying combining in many areas, although swathing is in full swing.
Rainfall ranged from trace amounts to 19 mm in the Esterhazy area. At 376 mm, the Meacham area holds the regional record for the greatest amount of rainfall since April 1. Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as eight per cent surplus, 89 per cent adequate, two per cent short and one per cent very short, while hay land and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated as four per cent surplus, 88 per cent adequate, seven per cent short and one per cent very short.
Pasture conditions are rated as five per cent excellent, 66 per cent good, 27 per cent fair and two per cent poor. At this time, it is estimated that four per cent of forage crops did not get cut or baled, mainly due to lack of growth.
Wind has blown swaths around and lodged some crops. Harvest has been difficult in some fields as many crops have not ripened evenly and there is much secondary plant growth. There are some reports of high levels of green seed in harvested canola and some crops are being aerated. Overall, producers are indicating that yields and grades are average, although there are some reports of higher-than-expected yields.
Farmers are busy swathing, spraying weeds and combining.
Be Prepared (Part 1)
It seems every day there is some type of emergency event reported on the news. I am hoping to do a quick series of information days on Thursdays about emergency preparedness. While many things are common sense, it never hurts to go through a quick review. So a quick overview:
Who does what in an emergency?
When it comes to emergency preparedness and emergency management, we all have a role to play.
- You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours during an emergency. You should also understand the basic principles of first aid and safety.
Every disaster is a local disaster. Different levels of organizations respond progressively as an emergency escalates and their resources are needed. The first ones to respond are closest to the emergency.
- Report a fire
- Report a crime
- Save a life
For non-emergency calls, use the 310-RCMP number.
In case of a major emergency
- Follow your emergency plan
- Get your emergency kit
- Make sure you are safe before assisting others.
- Listen to the radio or television for information from local officials and follow their instructions.
- Stay put until all is safe or until you are ordered to evacuate.
Shelter-in-place
You may be instructed to “shelter-in-place” if chemical, biological or radiological contaminants are released into the environment. This means you must remain inside your home or office and protect yourself there. The following steps will help maximize your protection:
- Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
- Turn off all fans, heating and air-conditioning systems to avoid drawing in air from the outside.
- Close the fireplace damper.
- Get your emergency kit and make sure the radio is working.
- Go to an interior room that’s above ground level (if possible, one without windows). In the case of a chemical threat, an above-ground location is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed.
- Using duct or other wide tape, seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room.
- Continue to monitor your radio or television until you are told all is safe or are advised to evacuate.
Evacuation orders
Authorities will not ask you to leave your home unless they have reason to believe you are in danger. Listen to them.
If you are ordered to evacuate, take:
- your emergency kit
- your emergency plan
- essential medications and copies of prescriptions
- a cellular phone (if you have one)
- your pets
Pets are not allowed in some emergency shelters, so plan in advance for a pet-friendly location.
Protect your home:
- Shut off water.
- Leave natural gas service on, unless officials tell you to turn it off. (If you turn off the gas, the gas company has to reconnect it. In a major emergency, it could take weeks for a professional to respond. You would be without gas for heating and cooking).
- Lock your home.
If you have time:
- Call or e-mail your out-of-town contact. Tell them where you are going and when you expect to arrive. (Once you are safe, let them know. Tell them if any family members have become separated.)
- Leave a note telling others when you left and where you are going.
New Drainage Regulations
Province Announces New Agriculture Drainage Regulations
First Phase in the Development of an Agricultural Water Management Strategy
Sept. 1, 2015 – Today, Minister responsible for the Water Security Agency Herb Cox announced new drainage regulations in Saskatchewan. The new regulations are the first phase of an agricultural water management strategy that recognizes the benefits of drainage and the importance of mitigating negative impacts.
“We recognize drainage is an important water management tool for producers and these new regulations will help us streamline the approval process to help producers become compliant while mitigating damage downstream,” Cox said. “These new regulations are part of the development of a risk based agricultural water management strategy that will improve the overall process, including applications and investigating complaints, and will help prevent future issues.”
The key changes in the new regulations are:
- ensuring that impacts related to flooding, water quality and habitat loss are addressed as part of the drainage works approval process;
- allowing landowner agreements as evidence of land control;
- simplifying and streamlining the application approval process;
- no longer exempting works constructed before 1981 from requiring an approval; and
- enabling the use of “qualified persons” in the design of higher risk drainage works.
These drainage regulations fulfill a commitment made in the 2014 Speech from the Throne. This is the first significant change to drainage regulations in 35 years.
The new drainage regulations were created after extensive online and industry stakeholder consultations. More than 500 public participants and 15 industry and environmental groups provided input into the creation of the new approach to drainage in Saskatchewan.
The new regulations are the first step in a phased-in approach to bring all drainage in the province into compliance over the next 10 years. These changes facilitate the start of the overall approach to the agricultural water management strategy.
The next phase of the agricultural water management strategy will be the development and refining of policies and program delivery which will be used in a series of pilot projects and then expanded to the rest of the province.
The pilot projects are based in the Souris Basin near Stoughton and the Assiniboine Basin near Canora. Local producers, watershed authorities and representatives in those areas have committed to working with the WSA to implement the new agricultural water management strategy and to help bring existing drainage projects into compliance.
The WSA will continue working with stakeholders on this strategy to develop policies on mitigation, application processes and informational materials.
“Drainage is one of the major issues facing rural Saskatchewan so we are pleased that the government is implementing regulations meant to address deficiencies with the current system,” Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities President Ray Orb said. “We have been awaiting this announcement and look forward to working with the government on the implementation of these regulations and further refinement of the agriculture water management strategy as it is phased in over the next few years.”
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For more information, contact:
Patrick Boyle
Water Security Agency
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-8914
Email: Patrick.Boyle@wsask.ca
Cell: 306-631-6997
Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program
The Farm and Rand Water Infrastructure Program is to develop sustainable non-potable water supplies for agricultural use* to meet the needs of agricultural producers in Saskatchewan. Is there a project that maybe eligible for funding in your farming operation?
Eligible Projects
- Small-diameter and large-diameter on-farm wells;
- Crop spraying projects will be evaluated on a case by case basis and must be for substantial agriculture use and have adequate water storage to be eligible.
- Shallow buried pasture pipelines;
- Deep buried pipelines;
- Deep buried pipelines that connect to an established municipal water source;
- Dugouts and dugout expansions (minimum one-third size increase);
- Relocation of existing livestock water systems for environmental purposes;
- This includes preventing livestock from directly accessing a water source (e.g. creek, dugout, spring, etc.) or developing a remote watering system (e.g. solar watering system) for livestock to improve water quality, reduce soil erosion and protect shorelines and riparian areas are examples of eligible activities.
- Protecting existing wells; and
- Decommissioning wells
Application Process and Deadlines
- Applications will be received on an on-going basis until August 1, 2017.
- Projects must be completed and a claim form submitted the earlier of 18 months from the date receiving written approval of the project, or February 15, 2018.
- Paid receipts and proof of payment for all invoices over $2,500 must be submitted with the claim form. Proof of payment includes processed cheque and bank/credit card statement.
How to Apply
Applications are available at Ministry of Agriculture Regional Offices and on the Ministry of Agriculture website at http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/ or by calling toll free at 1-877-874-5365.
Crop Report August 18-24
For the Period August 18 to 24, 2015
One year ago
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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.
BMP Funding Available
BMP Funding is Available for:
- Relocation of Livestock Confinement Facilities – 60% up to $50,000 (if near groundwater)
- Farmyard Run-Off Control – 50% up to $30,000
- Protecting High Risk Erodible Soils – 50% up to $10,000
- Riparian Area Grazing Management – 50% up to $10,000
- Natural Waterway Erosion Control – 75% up to $30,000
- Creek and Stream Crossings – 50% up to $20,000
- Variable Rate Fertilizer Technology – 30% up to $5,000
- Shelterbelt Establishment – $1200/mile
- Plastic Grain Bag Roller – 50% up to $5,000
- Environmental Solutions – 20-50% up to $50,000
- Carcass Disposal Planning – 75% up to $30,000
- Weather Data Collection and Monitoring – 50% up to $1,000
- Fencing to protect surface water – 50% up to $10,000
- Native Rangeland Grazing Management – 50% up to $10,000
For more information, Call Bonnie @ 306-795-7279
Office Closed
The office is closed today. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Crop Report Aug 11-17
For the Period August 11 to 17, 2015
One year agoJust over one per cent of the 2014 crop had been combined with an additional four per cent swathed or ready to straight cut. Average yields were being reported in most areas. |
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Producers have nine per cent of the 2015 crop combined and 10 per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report. The five-year average at this time of the year is two per cent combined and five per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Sixty-three per cent of the fall rye, 59 per cent of the winter wheat, 40 per cent of the field peas, 34 per cent of the lentils and 14 per cent of the chickpeas are now in the bin. Three per cent of the canola and four per cent of the mustard are now in the bin, with 14 per cent of the canola and 21 per cent of the mustard swathed or ready to straight-cut. Warm and relatively dry conditions have helped crops develop quickly in many areas.
Rainfall this past week ranged from trace amounts to nearly three inches in some areas. Provincially, topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as seven per cent surplus, 75 per cent adequate, 16 per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 64 per cent adequate, 28 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
Some crop damage was caused by localized hail, wind and insects such as aphids, grasshoppers and diamondback moths.
Farmers are busy with harvest operations and hauling bales.
Provincial Estimated Crop Yields – August 17, 2015 |
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Winter wheat |
Fall rye |
HRSW |
Other wheat* |
Durum |
Oat |
Barley |
Canaryseed |
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Southeast |
36 |
36 |
32 |
33 |
25 |
67 |
48 |
750 |
Southwest |
20 |
16 |
25 |
N/A |
25 |
53 |
41 |
1200 |
East Central |
34 |
33 |
38 |
43 |
32 |
76 |
62 |
1500 |
West Central |
30 |
25 |
26 |
N/A |
24 |
41 |
42 |
417 |
Northeast |
40 |
25 |
44 |
58 |
55 |
114 |
73 |
1004 |
Northwest |
N/A |
N/A |
35 |
37 |
N/A |
81 |
60 |
N/A |
Provincial |
32 |
19 |
34 |
42 |
25 |
84 |
57 |
768 |
Flax |
Canola |
Mustard |
Soybean |
Pea |
Lentil |
Chickpea |
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Southeast |
18 |
25 |
1000 |
26 |
24 |
998 |
N/A |
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Southwest |
20 |
28 |
1200 |
N/A |
27 |
1085 |
1491 |
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East Central |
22 |
34 |
1100 |
N/A |
33 |
1143 |
N/A |
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West Central |
18 |
23 |
800 |
25 |
28 |
1128 |
800 |
|
Northeast |
26 |
37 |
1000 |
23 |
36 |
N/A |
N/A |
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Northwest |
N/A |
32 |
N/A |
N/A |
39 |
N/A |
N/A |
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Provincial |
20 |
30 |
1158 |
26 |
29 |
1158 |
1466 |
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* ‘Other wheat’ includes all wheat classes other than Hard Red Spring Wheat |
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** Crop yield predictions at this point in time. Please keep in mind these are regional averages, and yields can vary greatly across an area. |
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*** canaryseed, mustard, lentil and chickpea in lbs/ac. All other crops in bu/ac. |
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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)
One per cent of the crop is now in the bin, with six per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut. Thirty-five per cent of the fall rye and 31 per cent of the winter wheat have been combined, with an additional 51 per cent and 47 per cent, respectively, swathed or ready to straight-cut. Eleven per cent of the peas have been combined, with an additional 30 per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut. Six per cent of the canola has been swathed.
Rainfall in the region ranged from small amounts to 38 mm in the Rose Valley area. The Craik area has received 346 mm of rainfall since April 1, the greatest amount for the region. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 13 per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate, three per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as seven per cent surplus, 83 per cent adequate, eight per cent short and two per cent very short.
Despite the recent rain that has delayed harvest operations, pulse crops are being desiccated and combining is just beginning. However, there are concerns that recent rainfall may cause a decline in the quality of some cereals. As well, damp cool weather may delay swathing and desiccation of crops. Crop damage this past week was attributed to localized flooding, strong wind and insects such as aphids and diamondback moths.
Farmers are busy with harvest operations.