OUTLOOK - Producers in the west-central have started harvest this week and now have three per cent of this year’s crop off, according to the crop report for the period of August 1 to 7. Those that haven’t started combining are evaluating how soon they can start. While the dry conditions make harvest quick, many producers hope that rain will come as soon as harvest is done.
Producers have had their attention focused on getting the fall cereals off and now have 28 per cent of the fall rye and 64 per cent of winter wheat harvested. Pulses are ripening and progress is being made harvesting field peas and lentils, both with eight per cent harvested. Oilseeds are still maturing and little crop has been harvested.
Producers are closely evaluating their hay and winter feed supply. Hay yields for the region are estimated at 0.7 tons per acre for alfalfa and brome/alfalfa. Other tame hay and wild hay are estimated to yield 0.5 tons per acre, while greenfeed is estimated at 0.9 tons per acre. Under irrigation, hay yields are improved for alfalfa (2.2 tons per acre), brome/alfalfa (2.0 tons per acre), tame hay (2.0 tons per acre) and green feed (1.2 tons per acre). Sileage is estimated to yield 2.5 tons per acre.
Very little moisture was received in the west-central region this past week. The most rain received was two mm in the Outlook area. Other areas received trace amounts. Coupled with the hot temperatures, the absence of rain led to another decrease in topsoil moisture. Currently, six per cent of cropland has adequate topsoil moisture, 37 per cent is short and 56 per cent is very short. Hay and pasture land is also further diminished, three per cent has adequate topsoil moisture, 31 per cent is short and 67 per cent is very short.
Crop damage this past week is mostly due to drought stress and grasshoppers. Many producers are hoping for a wet fall once crops are off and a wet spring before the next crop to help with both grasshopper populations and soil moisture levels. Producers are busy harvesting and checking fields for maturity levels.
