YORKTON - It was a slow week for many producers due to spotty showers and heavy dew in the mornings. 65 per cent of the crop is now in the bin, up from 52 per cent last week and close to the five-year average of 69 per cent. Many producers in Crop District 6A have wrapped up or are close to wrapping up harvest and are now hoping for a good rain.
There were scattered showers in the region, but no significant amounts of rainfall. The Calder area received 14 mm, the Earl Grey and Rama areas 10 mm, and the Bethune and Langenburg areas two mm. Once harvest has concluded, rain would be appreciated especially in the Crop District 6A portion of the region.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 49 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and 12 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 43 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and 17 per cent very short.
There are minor on-farm water shortages in the region, mainly in Crop District 6A. Producers are worried about the quality and quantity of water their livestock have access too, with many sources dwindling into nothing or becoming too toxic for consumption. Rain is desperately needed to replenish water sources in the region and reduce the pressure on producers to haul water.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to wind, waterfowl and rain. Some of the crop is coming off tough and being placed into aeration bins or grain dryers.
Producers are busy combining, harrowing, hauling grain, hauling bales and applying post-harvest herbicides.
