UNITY - Harvest continues to advance rapidly across the region, with only a few areas seeing minor delays due to rain. 36 per cent of the crop is in the bin, up from 19 per cent last week and well ahead of the five-year average of 22 per cent. Producers are noting there are some large differences in yields across the region, but overall, they are indicating that yields will be below average for all crops.
Very few locations in the region saw rain this past week, which allowed for producers to harvest without stoppage.
The Rosthern area received 19 mm, the Unity and Marengo areas 15 mm and the Eyebrow area 10 mm. This is not enough rain to relieve hay and pasture land from the drought and heat stress they are under, producers have already started removing cattle from pastures and have begun feeding them crop residue or hay.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 32 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and 31 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 28 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and 31 per cent very short.
Past drought conditions, strong winds and localized light hail were the main causes of crop damage this past week. The strong winds have lodged crops, blown swaths around and shelled out standing crops. The rain has not slowed down the grasshoppers in the region and they still continue to cause issues for producers.
Producers are busy combining, swathing, hauling bales, hauling water and moving cattle.
