WEYBURN - With limited rain, producers in the southeast were able to stay in the fields this week and harvest is now 79 per cent complete, according to the crop report for the period of September 12 to 18. This is ahead of the five-year average of 74 per cent.
Spring seeded cereals are nearing completion in the region, with durum being virtually complete, barley is 93 per cent, oats 92 per cent and spring wheat 89 per cent complete. Oilseeds are now the main focus for producers, with 77 per cent of mustard in the bin followed by 62 per cent of canola, 48 per cent of soybeans and 42 per cent of flax. Chickpeas are 87 per cent harvested and canary seed is 53 per cent complete. Harvest of fall cereals, peas and lentils is complete.
Minimal rain was received in the southeast this week, with the most, 10 mm, received in the Stoughton area. Topsoil moisture is becoming limited, with 30 per cent of cropland having adequate moisture, 43 per cent is short and 27 per cent is very short. Twenty-nine per cent of hay and pastures have adequate topsoil moisture, 43 per cent are short and 28 per cent are very short.
Pastures are showing the effect of a dry summer in the southeast. Nine per cent of pastures are in good condition, 29 per cent are in fair condition, 40 per cent are poor and 22 per cent are very poor.
Crop damage this past week is due to drought and grasshopper damage. Producers are busy combining, applying post-harvest herbicides and working harvested fields. Many producers are hauling bales, feed and water for animals.
