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By Alice McFarlane

Saskatchewan Harvest Update

Saskatchewan farmers take advantage of good weather to bring in more of the crop

Sep 7, 2023 | 1:53 PM

The Saskatchewan harvest has reached the halfway point.

In its latest report, the Ministry of Agriculture said 51 per cent of the crop is in the bin, up 33 per cent from the last reporting period.

The southwest continues to lead harvest progress at 81 per cent, this includes an estimated three per cent of all crops being used as a feed source. Harvest in the west central region is also rapidly advancing with 60 per cent of the crop in the bin. The southeast is close to the half-way point at 49 per cent complete. The northwest has made significant progress this week and is now 21 per cent complete.

The east central region is at 34 per cent. Combining is just nicely getting started on the Bashutsky farm near Wynyard, Sask. Jake Bashutsky says he’s happy with what’s come in so far.

“We just got all the canola swathed pretty much. We just got going on the wheat we did about 500 acres and that’s about it so far,” Bashutsky said. “For the year we had, we’re a little on the dry side but compared to some places, it’s nothing to complain about. So, we’re doing all right.”

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The diverse growing conditions across the province this year are apparent as producers are seeing varying yields for all crop types.

The drought conditions in the southwest have led to yield averages well below the provincial averages. Timely rain received in the northeast has led to above average yields.

Hard Red Spring Wheat is provincially estimated at 42 bushels per acres (bu/ac) while durum is roughly 23 bu/ac. Canola yields are pegged at 31 bu/ac, lentils are estimated to yield 1,058 lbs/ac, chickpeas at 1,071 lbs/ac and peas at 30 bu/ac.

Provincial barley yields are about 53 bu/ac. There are concerns about quality according to Foam Lake farmer Zenneth Faye.

Pre-germination, or chitting, is the premature sprouting of grain before harvest. Pre-germination can occur when mature barley is still in the field during damp weather.

“Heavy dew will also activate the germination process and there are some varieties, like the old Metcalfe, that was a fast-germinating variety. A couple of heavy dews overnight would start that process and, of course, it would downgrade the barley from malt to feed,” Faye said.

Pockets of moisture moved across the province this week, with the Kelliher area receiving the most rain at 44 mm. Regionally, the southeast received the most moisture, with the Corning area reporting 41 mm of rainfall.

Cropland topsoil moisture remains relatively unchanged while hay and pasture land topsoil moisture increased this week.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW