The harvest operations for 2021 are nearly completely done in southeast Saskatchewan, with 95 per cent of all combining finished, up from 92 per cent the week before, with an additional two per cent of the crop swathed or ready to straight-cut.
In the Weyburn crop district (2A), 96 per cent is combined, and in the Radville-Lake Alma district (3ASE), it’s 100 per cent completed. Provincially the harvest is 95 per cent combined, with an additional three per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut.
For the southeast region, this is well ahead of the five-year average of 79 per cent for this time of year.
Most of the crops still out in the fields are canola, flax and soybeans that have experienced regrowth. Flax is 81 per cent combined with three per cent ready to straight-combine and one per cent in swath, and 15 per cent is still standing.
Canola crops are 95 per cent combined with four per cent ready to straight-cut and one per cent in swath. Soybeans are 89 per cent combined, six per cent ready to straight-cut and five per cent is still standing.
Producers are starting to do additional fall field work, such as post-harvest spraying in fields where there are actively growing weeds.
There was no precipitation reported for the region this past week. While the dry conditions allowed for harvest to continue without delay, many producers in the region are hoping for rain soon to alleviate the stress and worry created by the drought.
In spite of the lack of rain, the southeast area has one of the higher ratings of soil moisture in the province. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 25 per cent adequate, 56 per cent short and 19 per cent very short.
Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 12 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 46 per cent very shot.
Crop reporters are noting the ground is dry and hard. Significant rainfall is needed prior to freeze-up and snowfall over the winter to ensure adequate moisture for next year’s growing season.
Some areas of the region are too dry to allow seeding of winter cereals or application of fall fertilizers.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to strong winds and wildlife. Wind has continued to blow around swaths and damaging seed heads, resulting in lost seed.
Producers are busy wrapping up harvest, starting fall field work such as weed control, and harrowing, hauling bales, cleaning corrals and moving cattle.
