ESTEVAN — Producers in the southeast were making good progress in their fields before large storms completely halted some harvest operations.
These storms caused delays as well as damage by blowing around swaths, lodging crops and flooding and hailing out crops. Due to these setbacks producers have only taken off 28 per cent of the crop in the region, up from 21 per cent last week and ahead of the five-year average of 22 per cent. Some producers have noted their crops are not yet ready for harvest and are hoping they dry down quickly to avoid any issues as we enter September.
Producers have made significant progress in their fall cereals; winter wheat is now 79 per cent and fall rye is 86 per cent in the bin for the year. Field peas and lentils are also nearing completion, with 85 per cent of field peas and 73 per cent of lentils harvested for the year. Producers are focusing on spring seeded cereals; 40 per cent of durum, 36 per cent of oats, 33 per cent of barley and 16 per cent of spring wheat are harvested in the region. Mustard leads the oilseed progress, with 53 per cent of the crop in the bin. Eleven per cent of canola has been harvested so far.
There were several heavy downpours in the region over the past week resulting in crop damage and delays. The Glenavon area received 94 mm, the Creelman area 76 mm, the Radville area 55 mm and the Rouleau area 34 mm over the course of the week. The heavy rain has flooded low lying areas and caused issues for producers with swathed crops.
Soil moisture in the region has improved due to the rain. Six per cent of crop land is rated to have surplus moisture, 70 per cent adequate moisture, 19 per cent is short and five per cent is very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is rated as 56 per cent adequate, 38 per cent short and six per cent very short. Pasture is rated as 54 per cent adequate, 38 per cent short and eight per cent very short. Producers are hoping the rain holds off until more crops can be taken off their fields.
Crop damage this past week is mostly due to wind, heavy rain and hail damage which saw some crops be completely cut down. Producers are busy with harvesting and are working cattle. The recent rains will hopefully allow cattle to stay on pasture longer into the fall and reduce the need to provide supplement feed in the form of bales.
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