Harvest is essentially done in the province as 98 per cent of this year's crop has been combined, according to the weekly provincial crop report covering the period of October 7-13.
Each region is close to 100 per cent complete – the the west-central and northeast regions are at 99 per cent, the southeast and northwest at 98 per cent and the southwest and east-central are at 97 per cent.
All other pulse, spring cereal and winter cereal crop types have been harvested and a few acres of oilseed crops remain in the field. Provincially, canola is 98 per cent combined, mustard 95 per cent, flax 87 per cent and soybeans 83 per cent. Canary seed is 92 per cent harvested and chickpeas are 88 per cent combined.
Any crop that's left standing was reported to experience minor damage due to wind, frost, snow, wildlife and migratory birds.
Sunday brought a mix of rain and snow to eastern areas of the province while the west received very little. The Strasbourg area recorded the most at 52 mm, followed by the Archerwill area with 50 mm and the Arborfield area had 43 mm.
The precipitation boosted topsoil moisture levels. The crop report states, "cropland topsoil moisture is now rated at seven per cent surplus, 53 per cent adequate, 30 per cent short and 10 per cent very short. For hayland areas, topsoil moisture is five per cent surplus, 49 per cent adequate, 33 per cent short and 13 per cent very short. For pastures, topsoil moisture is three per cent surplus, 36 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 19 per cent very short."
Crop reporters also got information on winter feed supplies for livestock producers and supply looks good overall. Hay is nine per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate and nine per cent short. Greenfeed is six per cent surplus, 89 per cent adequate and five per cent short. Silage is six per cent surplus, 92 per cent adequate and two per cent short. Straw is 14 per cent surplus, 78 per cent adequate and eight per cent short. Feed grain is 11 per cent surplus, 85 per cent adequate and four per cent short.
Sunday's precipitation stopped any field work including spraying for weeds, applying fertilizer, harrowing fields. Livestock producers are busy moving cattle home for the winter, hauling bales and marketing livestock. Servicing equipment continues.
There won't be a crop report next week as the Ministry of Agriculture will take next week to gather as much information about this growing season as possible for the final report, which will be released on October 30.
