ASSINIBOIA - The southwest is leading the province in harvest with 11 per cent complete, according to the crop report for the period of August 1 to 7. Pulse crops and fall cereals coming off quickly. Producers are also keeping an eye on maturity of other crops, evaluating which crop to harvest next.
Fall rye is almost completely harvested in the southwest, with 48 per cent of the crop combined and 40 per cent used for feed. Nineteen per cent of Oats and 28 per cent of barley have also been taken off for feed. Pulses are also being harvested in the southwest, with 43 per cent of field peas and 21 per cent of lentils in the bin.
Hay yields were estimated for the southwest this week. Alfalfa and alfalfa/brome were estimated to yield 0.9 tons per acre, while greenfeed was estimated at 1.4 tons per acre. Silage was estimated at 2.0 tons per acre.
Irrigated fields of alfalfa are estimated to yield 3.4 tons per acre this year. Many producers are evaluating feed sources for this winter and are using grain crops as feed.
Some parts of the southwest received rain this past week. The Eyebrow region recorded the most with 36 mm. Other areas of the southwest received only trace amounts of rain and there were some reports of hail. Soil moisture in the southwest continues to be limited, with five per cent of cropland having adequate topsoil moisture, 42 per cent of cropland is short and 54 per cent is very short. Hay and pasture land follows a similar pattern, five per cent has adequate moisture, 48 per cent is short, and 47 per cent is very short. Producers are hoping for lots of moisture once the crops are off for the year.
Crop damage this past week is due to drought stress, gophers and grasshoppers. Producers are busy harvesting, hauling water for cattle and moving cattle to whatever pasture has grass.
