CARLYLE - Harvest has gained momentum this past week with 33 per cent of the crop now in the bin, up from 16 per cent last week but still well behind the five-year average of 53 per cent. Crops that were delayed due to later seeding dates and cool rainy weather are now quickly ripening as the weather continues to be hot and dry across the region.
Crop yield estimates for the region appear to be very good with most producers expecting average or better yields this year. Producers in this region received adequate rainfall all season long that ensured their crops did not suffer through the heat. Crops are coming off dry and are relatively good quality, there has been some downgrading at elevators due to fungal pathogens being present on seed such as ergot and fusarium.
There was very little precipitation this week, which allowed for uninterrupted harvest activities. Once harvest has concluded, all producers would like to see a good soaking rain pass through the region to ensure good soil moisture levels for next spring. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 76 per cent adequate, 17 per cent short and three per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 68 per cent adequate, 28 per cent short and two per cent very short.
Crop damage was minimal this past week besides some strong winds blowing swaths around. Grasshoppers have continued to eat any crop they can find and contaminate grain samples.
Producers are busy combining, baling straw, moving cattle and hauling bales.
