PREECEVILLE - Winter cereal crops are beginning to turn and are estimated to be about two weeks away from harvest, spring seeded crops are estimated to be about 4 weeks away from harvest in some parts of the region. The weather over the past week was great for crop development. Canola is noted to be nearly done flowering and filling seed quite nicely.
Producers with less mature fields are beginning to worry about early season frosts if their crops do not see a drastic increase in their development. Some producers in the western half of the region have begun to desiccate their pulse crops due to crops in these areas being a little further along from the drier hot conditions.
There was very little rain this past week which has helped crops begin to ripen a little faster. Producers who still have crops that are flowering would like to see just a little more rain to help those crops fill with seed. Most areas of the region got less than 10 mm, while Allan got 15 mm and Kelvington got 11 mm. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 59 per cent adequate, 29 per cent short and 10 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 60 per cent adequate, 28 per cent short and 11 per cent very short.
There was very little crop damage this week besides strong winds lodging some crops and constant pressure from grasshoppers.
Haying is wrapping up in the region and yields are looking much better than last year. Producers are relieved to be able to replenish feed stocks prior to the coming winter. Farmers are busy wrapping up haying and baling, getting equipment ready for harvest and starting to desiccate pulse crops.
