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HUMBOLDT — The northeast continues to have the most crop remaining in the field, but producers made decent harvest progress this past week and are hoping to finish soon. Harvest progress now sits at 81 per cent, which is the same as the five-year average and greater than the 74 per cent 10-year average.

Producers are currently working to get the last spring cereal and oilseed acres harvested. Almost all spring wheat and barley crops in the region are off as 95 per cent have been harvested. Oats and canary seed follow close behind as harvest progress is at 92 per cent and 85 per cent, respectively. For soybeans, 67 per cent of crops are in the bin. Canola harvest is 64 per cent complete, while flax is 53 per cent harvested, leaving oilseed harvest with the furthest to go.

The northeast got modest rainfall last week which caused harvest delays for a few producers. The most rainfall recorded was 22 mm in the Rosthern area, followed by 20 mm near Duck Lake. The Spruce Home received 19 mm of precipitation, while the St. Brieux and Flett Springs areas both got 15 mm. Despite the rain, topsoil moisture conditions slightly decreased from last week for much of the northeast. Cropland topsoil moisture is currently 65 per cent adequate, 32 per cent short and three per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is 63 per cent adequate, 30 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 58 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Despite the slight decrease this reporting period, topsoil moisture conditions in the northeast are the best in the province.

Since harvest is entering the final stages, producers have good estimates for crop yields in the northeast. Estimated yields for spring cereal crops include 55 bushels per acre for hard red spring wheat, 74 bushels per acre for barley, 23 bushels per acre for durum and 102 bushels per acre for oats. Producers are slightly disappointed with canola yields relative to their expectations earlier in the growing season as average yields are estimated to be 36 bushels per acre in this region. Finally, average field pea yields in the northeast are the highest in the province at 43 bushels per acre.

Hard red spring wheat in the northeast is being reported as the best quality in Saskatchewan. Currently, 72 per cent is graded at 1CW, 26 per cent at 2CW, two per cent at 3CW and zero per cent at CW feed grade.

Since the northeast has the most crops still in the field, the most crop damage was reported in this region. The main cause of crop damage was from strong winds blowing swathed crops around, which complicates harvest. Despite some rain delays, producers are happy to receive moisture as this will benefit post-harvest fertilizer application and pasture conditions.

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