The weekly crop report from Saskatchewan Agriculture shows 95 percent of the crop has been combined with an additional three percent either swathed or ready to straight-cut.
That number is well ahead of the five-year average of 70 percent.
Harvest is most advanced in the southwest region, where 98 per cent of the crop is now combined. The southeast and west central regions have 95 per cent combined. The east-central and northeast regions have 94 per cent combined and the northwest 93 per cent.
Cereals, lentils and field peas across the province are nearly done being harvested. Plus, 99 per cent of chickpeas, 92 per cent of canola, 89 per cent of soybeans and 75 per cent of flax have now been combined. An additional six per cent of canola is swathed or ready to straight-cut.
The lack of precipitation continued to negatively impact top soil moisture. The Arborfield and Luseland areas received 2.0mm while the remainder of the province saw trace amounts or nothing at all. Producers are hoping their stubble and crop residues are enough to trap good amounts of snow over the winter to help restore some of their depleted soil moisture.
Moisture conditions continue to decline with wind and warm days drying the topsoil. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 17 per cent adequate, 50 per cent short and 33 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 10 per cent adequate, 46 per cent short and 44 per cent very short. While many areas of the province reported land as short or very short for topsoil moisture, the west central region is estimating 95 per cent of the cropland and 95 per cent of the hay and pasture land as short or very short. Producers are hoping for substantial rainfall prior to freeze-up to ensure adequate moisture levels for next year.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to wind, waterfowl and wildlife. Wind has continued to blow swaths around and shell out crops. There continues to be symptoms reported in the crops caused by lack of moisture and frost as well. At this point of the season frost will be helpful for producers who are struggling with regrowth in their fields as it will kill off green growth and reduce the need for herbicide applications.
