Crop Report for August 4-10

One year ago Harvest operations were just beginning in some southern areas. Crops were developing quickly thanks to relatively warm and dry weather.

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Estimated Provincial Hay Yields (tons/acre) – August 10, 2015 Dry land Irrigated Land Alfalfa 0.9 2.6 Brome/Alfalfa 1.1 2.9 Other Tame Hay 0.8 2.6 Wild Hay 0.8 N/A Greenfeed 1.4 2.8

Producers now have four per cent of the 2015 crop combined and five per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report.

Sixty-two per cent of the fall rye, 34 per cent of the winter wheat, 19 per cent of the field peas and 17 per cent of the lentils are now in the bin. Six per cent of the canola and three per cent of the mustard are swathed. Warm and relatively dry conditions are helping crops develop quickly.

Rainfall this past week ranged from trace amounts to over three inches in some areas. Provincially, topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 10 per cent surplus, 72 per cent adequate, 17 per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 66 per cent adequate, 26 per cent short and four per cent very short.

Haying continues as time and weather permit. The estimated average hay yields on dry land are 0.9 ton per acre for alfalfa, 1.1 tons per acre for alfalfa/brome hay, 0.8 ton per acre for both other tame hay and wild hay, and 1.4 tons per acre for greenfeed. On irrigated land, the estimated average hay yields are 2.6 tons per acre for alfalfa, 2.9 tons per acre for alfalfa/brome hay, 2.6 tons per acre for other tame hay and 2.8 tons per acre for greenfeed.

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 flooding, hail, wind and insects such as aphids and diamondback moths.

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)

Less than one per cent of the crop is in the bin, with a further one per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut. Twelve per cent of the winter wheat and four per cent of the fall rye has been combined. Many producers will begin swathing canola soon as the crop is advancing quickly.

Rainfall in the region ranged from small amounts to 75 mm in the Burr area. The Craik area has received 344 mm of rainfall since April 1, the greatest amount for
the region. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 26 per cent surplus, 68 per cent adequate, five per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 15 per cent surplus, 76 per cent adequate, eight per cent short and one per cent very short.

Despite the recent rain delaying harvest operations, pulse crops are being desiccated and combining has begun. Some causes of crop damage this past week include localized flooding, wind and insects such as aphids and diamondback moths.

Farmers are busy with harvest operations.