WEYBURN - The southeast made great harvest progress this week while also pausing for rain, according to the crop report for the period of August 8 to 14. Harvest is now eight per cent complete, which is the same as the five-year average.
Producers are getting close to finishing their fall cereal harvest, with 62 per cent of winter wheat and 55 per cent of fall rye harvested for the year. An estimated 15 per cent of each crop is ready to be combined. Field peas and lentils are the most harvested spring seeded crop, with 39 per cent of field peas and 34 per cent of lentils in the bin for the year. Oats are leading spring cereals in harvest, with 14 per cent of the crop harvested including three per cent used for greenfeed or silage. Oilseed progress is led by mustard, with 17 per cent of mustard harvested for the year.
Scattered showers and storms moved through the southeast this past week. Indian Head received the most rain with 36 mm recorded. While some areas received significant moisture, others reported trace amounts. Cropland topsoil moisture is 27 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and 26 per cent very short. Fifteen per cent of pasture and hay land has adequate topsoil moisture, 51 per cent is short and 34 per cent is very short. Producers in the area are anticipating or are already experiencing moderate livestock water shortages. Water quality is a concern for the livestock producers in the region.
Crop damage this past week is due to drought stress, wind, grasshoppers and flea beetles. Producers are busy this week marketing livestock, desiccating crops and combining.
