October 9, 2009

Roughly 76 percent of the grain and oilseed crops in Saskatchewan have been harvested as of Monday (Oct 5), the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture said in a crop update.

 

Wet, cold weather conditions hampered harvest operations, and farmers worried the weather may significantly downgrade the unharvested crops.

 

The current harvest progress pace compares with the 72 percent level seen the preceding week and the 95 percent level seen at the same time a year ago. The five-year average for this time of year is 80 percent harvested.

 

The report said 14 percent of the crop has been swathed and five percent is ready to straight-combine.

 

All of the winter wheat, 92 percent of the fall rye, 97 percent of the lentils, 99 percent of the peas, 84 percent of the barley, 84 percent of the durum and 74 percent of the spring wheat have been combined, the report said.

 

An estimated 73 percent of chickpeas and 56 percent of oats have been harvested.

 

Roughly 65 percent of the canola has been harvested and 34 percent has been swathed.

 

The report said 87 percent of the mustard has been harvested and five percent is ready to straight-combine.

 

An estimated 41 percent of the canary seed and 29 percent of flax have been harvested.

 

Provincewide, cropland topsoil moisture has improved and was rated as 15 percent surplus, 63 percent adequate, 16 percent short and six percent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture conditions were rated as five percent surplus, 63 percent adequate, 22 percent short and 10 percent very short.

 

Wind, rain and frost were the major causes of crop damage, the report said.

 

Producers were hoping for several days of sunny, warm weather so they can complete harvesting.