Wet and cool weather delayed harvest for most producers this past week, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Weekly Crop Report.  Seventy-eight per cent of the crop is now in the bin, slightly up from 75 per cent last week.  Harvest progress remains ahead of the five year (2012-2016) average of 74 per cent for this time of year.  Fifteen per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut.  Many producers expect to be back in the field when warmer weather returns and crops can dry sufficiently.

"For us in the south, we are still waiting on crops such as soybeans, flax and even some of the sunflowers to actually dry down," said Saskatchewan Agriculture Cropping Management Specialist Shannon Friesen.

Harvest is most advanced in the southwestern region, where 92 per cent of the crop is now combined.  The southeastern region has 88 per cent combined, the west-central region 81 per cent and the east-central region 77 per cent.  The northeastern region has 53 per cent combined, while the northwestern region has 48 per cent combined.

Ninety-four per cent of mustard, 91 per cent of durum, 88 per cent of chickpeas, 84 per cent of barley, 77 per cent of spring wheat, 68 per cent of canola and oats, 66 per cent of canaryseed, 37 per cent of flax and 18 per cent of soybeans have now been combined.  Twenty-seven per cent of canola is swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Although the rain was welcomed by many producers in the drier areas of the province, those in the central and northern areas need warm and dry weather soon so that harvest can resume.  Rainfall this past week ranged from nil to 36 mm in the Debden and Hafford areas.

Topsoil moisture conditions continue to improve with the recent rainfall, although the subsoil will need significant new moisture to replenish what has been lost to the hot and dry weather.  Across the province, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 29 per cent adequate, 36 per cent short and 35 per cent very short.  Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 22 per cent adequate, 34 per cent short and 44 per cent very short.

The extended period of hot and dry conditions this summer has negatively affected production, particularly in the southern and central regions.  Canola crops suffered the most, as much of the crop was in full flowering during the hottest time of the season.  There are indications that yield has been reduced by as much as 75 per cent in some areas.

Soybean crops have been slow to mature and there are reports of pods not filling completely.  Many lentil and cereal crops were unable to fill properly as they ran out of moisture much earlier than normal.  Lighter bushel weights and smaller seeds have resulted.  There are also reports of reduced protein content in cereal crops.
While yields have been directly affected by the extremely dry conditions, crop quality has been good to excellent with minimal disease issues.

"Overall, the yield is around average provinically. Of course, we have some areas that came out above that, but for the most part in the south, average to well below average is what we're seeing," stated Friesen.

"Before we began harvest, things looked much worse out there, and in some cases it was as bad as we had thought. However, for the most part average crops are pretty good. For the last couple of years we have had some of our highest yields we have ever had, so going back to an average crop is not something we typically like to see but it could have been much worse for many more producers."

The majority of crop damage this past week was due to wildlife, strong winds, frost and lack of moisture. Pastures and hay land have suffered greatly from the lack of moisture and will need significant rainfall.

"With some of those crops still being out in the field, whether standing or swathed, we've had many reports of wildlife like geese, deer, even elk and carabiou, and mice of course out there as well. They have really taken a toll on some of those plants," she shared, adding that it has gone on for most of the year, but it becomes more pronounced with the advent of fall and harvest.

Producers are busy combining, completing fall field work, moving cattle and hauling bales.

SaskPower reports there were four reported incidents of farm machinery coming in contact with power equipment last week.  The total number of incidents reported in September now sits at 21.  Producers are urged to be especially careful when using equipment around power lines.

Although the rain that has fallen has kept the ground damp, it doesn't appear that the soil has what it needs.

"Overall, things have slightly improved for us, but we are going to still need significant amounts of rainfall to actually replenish the subsoil. In some cases in the southwest, we've heard that it's dry 4-5 feet down, and even more in other areas."

"We're hoping that the harvest can come off first, and then mother nature can rain as much as she wants to," Friesen expressed.

She also gave some insight as to what may be in the minds of producers as they work their way through the next couple of weeks.

"Hopefully that we do get some decent weather, and that they are able to get the rest of the crop off. I think after last year everybody still has memories of harvesting well into winter, and in some cases into spring as well."