Crop Report July 28-August 3

Harvest has begun in some parts of the province, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report.

Less than one per cent of the provincial crop has been combined, while one per cent is ready to straight-cut. Twenty-three per cent of the fall rye, 10 per cent of the winter wheat, five per cent of the field peas and two per cent of the lentils are now in the bin. Two per cent of the canola is now swathed.

The province received a lot of rain last week, which has lodged many crops and flooded some fields and yards. Topsoil moisture conditions have improved in many areas, thanks to rainfall that ranged from small amounts to well over six inches. Provincially, topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as four per cent surplus, 69 per cent adequate, 24 per cent short and three per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 58 per cent adequate, 33 per cent short and seven per cent very short.

Livestock producers now have 80 per cent of the hay crop baled or put into silage, while an additional 12 per cent is cut and will soon be ready for baling. Hay quality is rated as three per cent excellent, 53 per cent good, 36 per cent fair and eight per cent poor.

The Ministry of Agriculture has a Forage, Feed and Custom Service listing for producers to advertise and source feed products. It is available at: http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/FeedForageListing

Pasture conditions are rated as one per cent excellent, 32 per cent good, 38 per cent fair, 23 per cent poor and six per cent very poor.

The majority of crop damage this week was caused by strong winds, heavy rain, insects such as aphids and lack of moisture.

Farmers are busy beginning harvest.

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)

Some winter cereal crops are being swathed in the region, while others will be ready for straight-cutting shortly. Most producer will likely begin swathing canola in the coming weeks.

The region received large amounts of rain that has lodged crops and caused localized flooding in many areas. The Meacham area received 134 mm of rain this past week, bringing its total received since April 1 to 285 mm. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 11 per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate and five per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as eight per cent surplus, 79 per cent adequate, 12 per cent short and one per cent very short.

Livestock producers now have 71 per cent of the hay crop baled or put into silage. An additional 17 per cent is cut and soon to be ready for baling. Hay quality is rated as three per cent excellent, 52 per cent good, 36 per cent fair and nine per cent poor. Pasture conditions are rated as three per cent excellent, 40 per cent good, 43 per cent fair and 14 per cent poor.

Crop development is advancing quickly and harvest will begin soon. Most crop damage this week was caused by localized flooding, wind, hail and insects such as aphids and diamondback moths.

Farmers are busy haying and getting ready for harvest.