The Saskatchewan harvest is winding down, with the latest provincial yield estimates still topping the Statistics Canada projections released last month.
Thursday’s Saskatchewan crop report estimated the provincewide harvest at 93% complete as of Monday, up from 84% a week earlier. That is slightly behind the five-year average of 98% but ahead of the 10-year average of 87%. Last year at this time, the harvest was 97% done.
“Dry conditions over the past few weeks allowed harvest to catch up to seasonal averages,” the report said.
Harvest progress is most advanced in the west-central region at 96% complete, followed by the southwest and northwest at 95%. The east-central and northeast regions are each 93% harvested, while the southeast sits at 92%.
Nearly all winter cereal and pulse crops have been harvested, with chickpeas the exception at 70% complete. Spring cereals are largely off the field, with 98% of spring wheat and barley combined, along with 96% of durum and oats. Among oilseeds, 91% of mustard, 89% of canola, 70% of soybeans and 60% of flax have been harvested.
Current provincial crop yield estimates are similar to last month, as average provincial yields remain above historical averages for most crop types. However, yields vary throughout the province due to regional rainfall levels and agronomic challenges during the growing season, the report said.
The latest yield estimates from the province are as follows, with Statistics Canada’s estimates from September in brackets:
Hard red spring wheat yields averaged 51 bu/acre (49.2 bu), durum 41 bu/acre (36.9 bu), oats 92 bu/acre (90.2 bu), and barley 71 bu/acre (67.9 bu). Field peas averaged 42 bu/acre (35.5 bu), lentils 1,922 lbs/acre (1,463 lbs), and chickpeas 1,817 lbs/acre (1,342 lbs).
Notable amounts of oilseed crops are still being combined, but canola is currently yielding 42 bu/acre (40.6 bu), mustard is yielding 1,192 lbs/acre (824 lbs) and flax is yielding 26 bu/acre (23.1 bu).
Crop quality is generally above average this year. For example, 65% of hard red spring wheat graded No. 1 Canada Western (CW) and 27% as No. 2 CW, compared with five-year averages of 62% and 30% respectively, and the 10-year averages of 48% and 32%.
Rainfall last week was limited, though localized showers brought up to 25 mm near North Battleford and Wapella. With continued dryness, topsoil moisture levels remain low across much of the province. Cropland topsoil moisture was rated 1% surplus, 43% adequate, 40% short, and 16% very short as of Monday, versus 1% surplus, 49% adequate, 38% short and 12% very short the previous week.
Crop damage has been minimal as the harvest concludes, though wind and wildlife have caused minor issues. Producers are now turning their focus to fall fieldwork — including weed control, fertilizer application, and livestock movement.
