Southwest
Rain and poor weather conditions kept producers out of the fields for most of the week. Most of the harvest that was completed occurred under wet conditions, and producers had to dry the grain. Sunny and dry weather is needed to complete the harvest. Winter wheat and fall rye planting is underway, and some early-planted fields are starting to emerge due to moisture and warm soil conditions. With the wet conditions, fall work has begun, and producers are starting to prepare for next spring. Most cereals harvested in the past week were being dried. Spring wheat harvest is 90% complete, with aboveaverage yields around 65 to 70 bu/ac, and reports of yields as high as 90+ bu/ac. Quality is good, with protein ranging from 13.5 to 15%. A higher percentage of wheat remains, north of Highway 16, with some starting to sprout due to recent weather conditions. Barley is about 80% complete, with average to slightly above-average yields ranging from 75 to 90 bu/ac, and average to above-average test weights. The oat crop is around 70% complete, with several acres being swathed due to green straw. Yields look to be average, with later-harvested oats showing lower yields and quality due to wet and humid conditions. There are reports of poor-quality oats being harvested, characterized by light weight and mustiness.
Peas are 100% harvested. Flax is 90% at the brown boll stage, with some green stems and plants starting to reflower, due to excessive moisture and indeterminacy depending on the variety. Canola is ripe and ready for harvest. Canola harvest is underway and approximately 20% complete, with yields varying widely due to soil type — from 26 bu/ac on light soils to up to 60 bu/ac on heavier soils, with a general average of 48 bu/ac. Sprouting has been reported in some swathed canola in certain areas. Soybeans are in the R7 to R8 growth stages. Frost over the last weekend has caused leaf discoloration and leaf drop has begun. Producers are preparing for harvest, with some soybean crops possibly being harvested before canola. Sunflowers are at variable R8 stages. Corn is in the dent stage, but plants are still green. Cobs are starting to pull over, and the best silage stage (R5.7 or 60% milk line) has likely begun, though no black layer is present yet.
Northwest
Slow harvest progress this week due to precipitation for most of the week, with some movement over the weekend in areas that did not receive as much precipitation. A significant precipitation event in the Ethelbert area brought a large amount of rainfall in a short period. The Ethelbert station recorded 107 mm in a 36-hour period leading to crop damage and washouts. Heavy dews have also contributed to a narrow harvest window. Desiccation/swathing continues in canola as stages are reached. Post-harvest field operations are continuing. Volunteer crops and weeds are actively growing with recent precipitation. Fall rye and winter wheat seeding is underway with the insurance deadline approaching this week. Seeded crops are establishing well with recent moisture. Spring wheat harvest is estimated at 85% complete across the region, but is varied due to rainfall received during the growing season. Harvest is most advanced in the Swan Valley and Dauphin areas, while areas in The Pas and Roblin/Russell continue behind. Overall estimated harvest completion for the entire region is 85%. Average yields for spring wheat have been very good, mostly ranging from 70-80 bu/ac with some yielding above. Recent precipitation events have caused some wheat to sprout. Field pea harvest is complete. Yields varied from 30-60 bu/ac. Canola crops continue to be varied across the region. Desiccation/swathing continues, with some harvest progress this week while fields move towards maturity. Harvest progress is approximately 10% complete, being furthest along in the Swan Valley region. Varied stages within some fields are noticeable with some plants at maturity stage and some plants still green– especially in areas of the field that had not germinated due to lack of moisture this spring. Soybean crops continue in the R7 stage, moving closer to maturity.
