YORKTON - Harvest was once again delayed in many parts of the region due to heavy rainstorms. Some producers are estimating that they won’t be harvesting for another 10 days. The most harvest progress has been in crop district 6A where growing conditions have been drier. Harvest progress for the region sits at nine per cent, up from four per cent last week but still behind the five-year average of 15 per cent.
Rainfall in the region ranged from trace amounts to 78 mm in the Foam Lake area. The Craven area received 30 mm, the Bulyea area 25 mm and the Calder area 20 mm. While this region has received large amounts of rain this season, there are still many producers in the region who are experiencing extremely dry growing conditions.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 77 per cent adequate, 18 per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent surplus, 74 per cent adequate, 12 per cent short and nine per cent very short.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to strong winds, heavy rains and localized hail. The strong winds and heavy rains have lodged many crops in the region, and this will result in some producers seeing a quality downgrade at the elevator.
Producers are busy hauling bales, combining or swathing where it is drier.