ASSINIBOIA - The southwest region continues to lead harvest progress this week with 60 per cent of this year’s crop harvested, according to the crop report for the period of August 22 to 28. The area is ahead of the five-year average of 46 per cent.
Producers have wrapped up their fall cereal harvest this past week and now have 95 per cent of winter wheat and all of fall rye harvested for year. Twenty-seven per cent of fall rye was harvested for feed. Field peas and lentils continue to lead pulse harvest progress, with 88 per cent of peas and 85 per cent of lentils harvested. Mustard continues to lead oilseed progress, with 65 per cent of this year’s crop in the bin. Thirty-three per cent of canola has been harvested so far. Currently, producers are focusing on harvesting spring seeded cereals. Forty-eight per cent of spring wheat, 56 per cent of durum, 77 per cent of barley and 60 per cent of oats have been harvested for the year.
A few scattered showers moved through the region this week; however, little moisture relief was provided. The Cabri area received 28 mm this week. Overall, topsoil moisture declined this week, with 61 per cent of crop land short in topsoil moisture and 39 per cent very short. Fifty-three per cent of hay and pastures are short in moisture and 47 per cent are very short.
Crop damage this week is primarily due to drought stress as well as grasshopper and gopher pressure. Producers are busy combining, desiccating and hauling water and feed for their livestock. Many producers are hoping for long, slow rains once the rest of the crop is off.
