Yorkton - After a slow start to the harvesting season, producers in the east-central region have made great strides with the help of some hot, dry weather over the past several weeks. They now have 46 per cent of the crop in the bin, up from 27 per cent last week and right on par with the five-year average of 46 per cent. If the current harvesting conditions continue, producers will hopefully be able to get most of their crop off before the middle of October.
Crop District 6A is far more advanced in their harvest progress than the two other districts in the region since they were much drier. Most producers in the district have finished or are about to finish, while producers in the eastern half of the region are still struggling with some crops that have not yet dried down.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 53 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and 12 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 43 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and 16 per cent very short.
Durum grades in the region are currently being estimated as 62 per cent 1 CW, 33 per cent 2 CW, four per cent 3 CW and two per cent 4 and 5 CW. Pea grades are estimated as 51 per cent 1 CAN, 48 per cent 2 CAN and one per cent 3 CAN. Lentil grades are estimated to be 61 per cent 1 CAN, 31 per cent 2 CAN and eight per cent 3 CAN.
The majority of crop damage past week was due to wind and minor frost. Producers are hoping the frost was not too harsh since some of their crop is not ripe enough to escape damage. Strong winds caused swaths to blow around, shelling out and lodging in many standing crops.
Producers are busy combining, swathing, baling and hauling bales.
