WEYBURN - Very few producers have started their harvest operations with only a handful of lentil fields being combined so far. Harvest will be starting for some producers in the region in the next 7-10 days while others are still at least two weeks away from their crops being ready for harvest.
Producers with more mature crops have been busy desiccating to dry down their crop and make it easier to process through their combines. There was not much rain in the region and this has quickened the pace in which crops are ripening, but producers have noted that more hot days are still needed.
There was very little rain in the region this week with most areas getting between trace amounts and 10 mm, the Weyburn area, however, received 25 mm. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 10 per cent surplus, 76 per cent adequate, 12 per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 10 per cent adequate, 45 per cent short and 45 per cent very short.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to wind, hail and grasshoppers. Strong winds lodged crops across the region and some fields also received hail. This hail caused significant damage in localized areas with some reporters citing 50 per cent loss on their durum. Grasshoppers remain an issue and producers are hopeful that they can begin harvesting soon in order to limit the amount of damage by the hoppers.
Haying and baling is wrapping up in the region. Yields are higher than average and producers are very happy to see the return to normal after the poor yields seen during 2021. Wetter conditions this summer have allowed pasture growth to rebound as well and producers are no longer worried about needing to extend grazing if it is required. Farmers are busy hauling bales, desiccating crops, and starting to combine in some areas.
