With more than 40% of the province’s crop in the bin, Saskatchewan government yield estimates are mostly lower compared to those released by Statistics Canada last month.
The model-based StatsCan yield estimates were based on crop conditions up until the end of July, while the Saskatchewan estimates, released Thursday, reflect conditions as of Sept. 2.
At 34 bu/acre, the province’s canola yield estimate is 5 bu below the StatsCan projection, while the durum yield estimate is 2.3 bu below at 33 bu/acre. The Hard Red Spring Wheat yield estimate of 45 bu/acre is almost on par with StatsCan’s 45.5 bu, with other spring wheat, at 49 bu/acre, almost 3 bu above StatsCan’s 46.1 bu/acre.
The province’s oat and barley yield estimates are mixed, with oats 4.6 bu below StatsCan at 75 bu/acre, and barley 4.2 bu above at 63 bu/acre.
The province pegged the average pea yield at 36 bu/acre, higher than StatsCan’s 34.8 bu, while mustard was well above at 842 lbs/acre, versus the StatsCan estimate of 680 lbs. The lentil yield forecast of 1,317 lbs/acre, is down from 1,445 lbs for StatsCan, as is chickpeas, at 1,573 lbs versus 1,601 for StatsCan. At 1,256 lbs/acre, the province’s canary seed estimate was little different from StatsCan’s 1,251.
The range in growing conditions across the province has caused varying yield estimates for all crop types, the report said. Regionally, producers also indicate large variations in yield from field to field due to the scattered rainfall amounts received throughout the growing season, it added.
The overall Saskatchewan harvest was pegged at 42% complete as of Monday, up from 25% a week earlier and ahead of the five- and 10-year averages of 34% and 31%.
The southwest region continues to lead harvest operations with 73% of this year’s crop harvested. The southeast region has 47% of the crop in the bin, followed by the east-central region at 38% and the west-central region at 31%. The northeast currently has 22% harvested and the northwest region sits at 19% harvested.
An estimated 92% of lentils and 90% of the peas were harvested as of Monday. Of the cereal crops, durum is the furthest ahead in harvest progress at 63%, followed by barley at 52% and oats at 32%. Spring wheat currently sits at 28% harvested across the province and canary seed sits at 19%. Mustard is the furthest advanced at 63% harvested for oilseed crops, followed by canola at 16% and flax at 8%.
Topsoil moisture conditions are similar to those reported the previous week. As of Monday, cropland topsoil moisture was rated as 40% adequate, 38% short and 22% very short.
Crop damage reported over the past week was mainly due to wind and migratory birds. Crop lodging has caused some challenges for producers while combining. Minor damage was also reported from hail and grasshoppers in some regions of the province.
Southeast:
Producers were able to make considerable harvest progress within the region over the past week. Currently, harvest is 47 per cent complete which is ahead of the five-year average of 36 per cent and the 10-year average of 40 per cent. In addition to combining within the region, producers are busy swathing, baling straw, hauling bales and monitoring bins for heating. Despite moisture received throughout much of the region last week, the risk of fire remains elevated.
Lower rainfall amounts were received this week within the region with some areas reporting no rainfall. The highest rainfall recorded fell in the Broadview area at 25 mm followed by the Glenavon area at 22 mm. The MacNutt and Moosomin areas both received 15 mm over the past week and the Alida area received 11 mm.
Topsoil moisture dropped within the region this week. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 64 per cent adequate, 29 per cent short and six per cent very short.
Southwest:
Substantial harvest progress was made in the southwest region over the past week. Currently, harvest is 73 per cent complete in the region which is up from the 44 per cent harvest completion reported last week. This is ahead of the five-year average of 56 per cent and the 10-year average of 52 per cent. As producers work on finishing harvest within the region, they are also busy baling straw, hauling bales and monitoring bins for heating. The risk of fire remains high within the region as the drier conditions persist.
Much of the region experienced limited moisture again this week. The highest rainfall recorded fell in the Richmound area at 12 mm. The Leader and Moose Jaw areas received 8 mm over the past week and the Maple Creek area received 7 mm.
Topsoil moisture continues to show large shortages within the region. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as eight per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and 51 per cent very short.
East-Central:
Harvest continues to progress within the region despite scattered rainfall in some areas, causing harvest delays. Currently, harvest is 38 per cent complete which is ahead of the five and ten-year average of 22 per cent. As producers continue with harvest, they are also busy swathing, desiccating, baling straw, hauling bales and will be monitoring bins in the coming weeks. The risk of fire is a concern within the region.
Scattered rain fell throughout the region with some areas receiving no rainfall. The highest rainfall recorded fell in the Wadena area at 38 mm. The Wroxton area received 10 mm and the Hanley area received 7 mm over the past week.
Producers continue to monitor topsoil moisture within the region and hope for moisture following harvest to replenish soil moisture and assist with pasture growth moving into the fall. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 65 per cent adequate, 22 per cent short and 13 per cent very short.
West-Central:
Recent moisture caused some delays to harvest over the past week. Currently, 31 per cent of the crop is harvested within the region. This is behind the five-year average of 38 per cent but falls close to the 10-year average of 32 per cent. As producers continue with harvest in the region, they are also busy swathing, desiccating, baling straw, hauling bales and will be monitoring bins in the coming weeks. The risk of fire remains high within the region from the persistent drier conditions over the past weeks.
Rain fell throughout the region over the past week with areas on the west side of the region receiving higher amounts. The Marsden area reported the highest amount of rainfall for the week at 60 mm followed by the Neilburg area at 57 mm. The Macklin and Unity areas received 50 mm over the past week.
The recent moisture has provided temporary relief to further topsoil moisture depletion but overall dry conditions throughout the growing season are still contributing to moisture shortages. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 22 per cent adequate, 56 per cent short and 22 per cent very short.
Northeast:
Despite scattered showers causing some delays to harvest over the past week, harvest progressed within the region. Currently 22 per cent of the crop is harvested within the region which is ahead of the five-year average of 20 per cent and the 10-year average of 16 per cent. As producers continue with harvest in the region, they are also busy swathing, desiccating, baling straw, hauling bales and will be monitoring bins in the coming weeks. The risk of fire is a concern within the region.
Scattered rain fell throughout the region with some areas receiving no rainfall. The highest rainfall recorded fell in the Tisdale area at 35 mm. The Arborfield area received 27 mm, the Hague area received 20 mm and the Star City area received 19 mm over the past week.
Topsoil moisture fell within the region this week. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 48 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and five per cent very short.
Northwest:
Recent moisture caused some delays to harvest over the past week. Currently 19 per cent of the crop is harvested within the region. This is ahead of the five-year average of 16 per cent and the 10-year average of 13 per cent. As producers continue with harvest in the region, they are also busy swathing, desiccating, baling straw, hauling bales and will be monitoring bins in the coming weeks.
Rain fell throughout the region at varying amounts over the past week. The North Battleford area recorded the highest amount at 28 mm followed by the Medstead area at 25 mm. The Livelong area received 24 mm and the Maidstone area received 21 mm over the past week.
Topsoil moisture dropped within the region this week. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 42 per cent adequate, 25 per cent short and 31 per cent very short.
