CARLYLE - Producers saw their crops begin to ripen more rapidly after receiving hot, dry weather this past week. The weather also made for good harvesting conditions with more producers getting into their fields this week to combine or swath. Harvest progress for the region sits at six per cent, well behind of the five-year average of 20 per cent. Crops in the region have been delayed due to late seeding dates and more regular rains throughout the growing season. Where adequate rainfall was received, crops look very good and producers are very happy with their estimated crop yields.
13 per cent of the winter wheat, 36 per cent of the field peas, 24 per cent of the lentils, 14 per cent of the barley and five per cent of the oats have been combined so far across the region. Once crops are fully mature, harvest will progress quickly for producers in this region as long the weather stays favourable.
Very little rain fell in the southeast this past week, with most areas of the region receiving trace amounts up to 5 mm. However, the Moosomin area caught the edge of storm and received 18 mm. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent surplus, 72 per cent adequate, 21 per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay and pasture land is rated as nine per cent surplus, 68 per cent adequate, 21 per cent short and two per cent very short.
Pasture conditions in the region are rated as eleven per cent excellent, 62 per cent good, 22 per cent fair, three per cent poor and two per cent very poor. Pastures have largely improved in the region which has relieved a large amount of stress on livestock and livestock producers, who did not have to worry about hauling feed and water to cattle.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to grasshoppers and flea beetles. Grasshoppers have been a large concern for many producers all season long and producers are still considering pesticide applications while waiting for their crop to ripen.
