Harvest operations across Saskatchewan are nearly complete, with producers making strong progress on remaining acres before weekend rain and snow brought activity to a halt in many areas.
Thursday’s crop report pegged the provincewide harvest at 98% complete as of Monday, up 5 points from a week earlier and just slightly behind 99% last year. The west-central and northeast regions are leading at 99% finished, followed closely by the southeast and northwest at 98%, while the southwest and east-central regions are at 97%.
Only a small number of fields remain unharvested, mainly those seeded to oilseeds, chickpeas and canary seed, the report said Canola is now 98% off, mustard 95%, flax 87%, soybeans 83%, canary seed 92%, and chickpeas 88%. All other major cereals and pulses have been fully harvested.
Moisture returned to many parts of the province over the past weekend, improving soil conditions. The heaviest precipitation was recorded around Strasbourg with 52 millimetres (mm), followed by Archerwill with 50 mm and Arborfield with 43 mm. While the rainfall halted harvest temporarily, it was welcomed by producers who have finished combining, as it helped recharge topsoil moisture ahead of freeze-up.
Cropland topsoil moisture is now rated at 7% surplus, 53% adequate, 30% short and 10% very short, compared to 1% surplus, 43% adequate, 40% short, and 16% very short a week earlier. Many producers are still hoping for additional moisture before the ground freezes to further replenish soil reserves and refill dugouts for spring, the report added.
Environmental damage to the few remaining crops has been minimal. Wind, frost and snowfall caused only minor losses, while some wildlife and migratory birds have been feeding on unharvested crops and opening grain bags.
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