Combines are making their way back onto fields in the southwest region as other areas wait for crops to reach maturity, according to the provincial crop report covering the period of July 29 to August 4.
Producers in the southwest are traditionally the first ones to start harvest and the first to finish.
Crops Extension Specialist with the Ministry of Agriculture Tyce Masich said farmers in the southwest have 13 per cent of winter wheat, seven per cent of fall rye and one per cent of lentils and peas combined. Their progress marks harvest at less than one per cent complete for the entire province.
While not the primary focus right now, producers in other regions are getting ready for harvest by servicing equipment, hauling grain and cleaning bins.
The crop report states early-seeded crops are maturing and later-seeded crops continue to develop. Producers are hoping for more rain to develop the latter before harvest begins in earnest. The report adds crops that had less moisture are further ahead of development compared to two weeks while crops with sufficient rain are at their normal stage of development.
Crop damage was minor overall but dry conditions, grasshoppers, wind, and wildlife were factors mentioned.
The latest rainfall map of the province shows the southwest and south-central areas getting more than 50 millimetres (mm) of precipitation and parts of the west-central getting a decent amount between 20 and 30 mm. However, the northwest, northeast, east-central, and southeast regions got trace amounts of rain.
The Old Wives area received the most rainfall in the province with 132 millimetres (mm), followed by the Vanguard area with 119 mm, the Cadillac area had 95 mm, the Dollard area got 74 mm and the Neidpath area had 72 mm.
Masich said the rain re-charged soil moisture in the southwest, adding other areas had enough moisture to get by.
"The west-central, southwest and southeast – most of those areas have adequate soil moisture levels for crop development and seed production, but the northwest and the northeast are starting to dry up, especially the northwest, they've been dry all year, and that's been taking a toll on crops and pastures in those areas." he said.
Provincially, crop land topsoil moisture is currently rated as five per cent surplus, 54 per cent adequate, 33 per cent short and eight per cent very short. Hayland moisture is four per cent surplus, 48 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and 11 per cent very short. Moisture for pasture land is four per cent surplus, 52 per cent adequate, 32 per cent short and 12 per cent very short.
Masich noted pastures in the province are in good to fair condition overall, except for the northwest and northeast were, again, dry conditions persist. Currently, six per cent of pastures are in excellent condition, 36 per cent are good, 32 per cent are fair, 19 per cent are poor and eight per cent are in very poor condition.
"Variability is the name of the game this year," he added.
A reminder that as producers are preparing for harvest, there will be more farm equipment on the road, so drivers are told to be patient and cautious when driving around equipment.
For farmers, they're reminded to keep safety top of mind while working.
