Weather slowing harvest in Saskatchewan

The wet weather has been a damper on the harvest for Saskatchewan farmers.

There has been little progress since the beginning of October.

According to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s crop report, 82 per cent of the 2016 crop has been combined. The average for this time of year is 99 per cent combined.

The majority of the crop that was harvested had higher moisture percentages, and equipment was moving slowly through the fields due to wet soil conditions.

The southeast has 90 per cent of the harvest in the bin.  Eighty-five per cent of the crop is combined in the southwest, 80 per cent in the east-central and northwest regions, 73 per cent in the west-central and 82 per cent in the northeast region. The majority of the snow has melted in the northern regions however, wet soil conditions are still delaying harvest.

The southern and central regions received rain on the weekend and combines are at a standstill again. The Moosomin area reported 25 mm, Weyburn 23 mm, Moose Jaw 62 mm, Limerick 15 mm, Ponteix 21 mm, Bethune 24 mm and Outlook 22 mm.

Provincially, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 58 per cent surplus and 42 per cent adequate. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 31 per cent surplus and 69 per cent adequate. Producers are indicating that the soil will have to freeze before combines are able to get back onto the land in many areas, and are predicting there will be some crop left out over winter. Rain and snow has lodged standing crops.

Bleaching and sprouting are causing grade loss. Wet hay fields are delaying bale hauling. Cattle are coming home from pastures.