Continued wet weather has resulted in very little harvest progress since the beginning of October. Eighty-two per cent of the 2016 crop has been combined, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Weekly Crop Report. The five year (2011-2015) average for this time of year is 99 per cent combined.
Many producers were out testing the crop; however, only a small number of acres were able to be combined. The majority of the crop that was harvested had higher moisture percentages, and equipment was moving slowly through the fields due to wet soil conditions.
The southeast has 90 per cent of the harvest in the bin. Eighty-five per cent of the crop is combined in the southwest, 80 per cent in the east-central and northwest regions, 73 per cent in the west-central, and 82 per cent in the northeast region. The majority of the snow has melted in the northern regions; however, wet soil conditions are delaying harvest.
The southern and central regions received rain on the weekend and combines are at a standstill again. The Moosomin area reported 25 mm, Weyburn 23 mm, Moose Jaw 62mm, Limerick 15 mm, Ponteix 21 mm, Bethune 24 mm and Outlook 22 mm.
Provincially, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 58 per cent surplus and 42 per cent adequate. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 31 per cent surplus and 69 per cent adequate. Producers are indicating that the soil will have to freeze before combines are able to get back onto the land in many areas, and are predicting there will be some crop left out over winter. Rain and snow has lodged standing crops.
Bleaching and sprouting are causing grade loss. Wet hay fields are delaying bale hauling. Cattle are coming home from pastures.
This is the last weekly Crop Report for the season. There will be a final Crop Report released November 24, 2016, to capture any additional harvest progress and to summarize the crop year.
A complete, printable version of Crop Report is available online at www.publications.gov.sk.ca/redirect.cfm?p=83017&i=95420.
Follow the 2016 Crop Report on Twitter at @SKAgriculture.
