Fields nearly cleared as drought hits west-central Sask

EAGLE STAFF

Continuing hot, dry conditions allowed west-central Saskatchewan farmers “to make impressive harvest progress” during the week ending on Sept. 29.

They’d combined 86 per cent of their fields, 84 per cent for the southern part that includes Rosetown, according to the latest crop report from the provincial Agriculture Department.

Farmers had three per cent of their barley still standing plus 10 per cent of their spring wheat, 12 per cent of the oats, 14 per cent of their durum, 15 per cent of the mustard, 20 per cent of their canola, 49 per cent of their canary seed, 51 per cent of the flax and 61 per cent of the chickpeas.

No rain fell in areas around Rosetown during the week, causing topsoil moisture levels to slip to 21 per cent adequate, 49 per cent short and 30 per cent very short in fields, and about 17 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and 38 per cent very short in hay and pasture land.

Forty-seven per cent of those communicating with department staff indicated that shortages of water for livestock were occurring and 35 per cent were worried about its quality.

Wind caused moderate crop damage in some areas.

Farmers around the province had finished combining 84 per cent of their fields, thanks to the warm, dry weather, still behind the five-year average of 92 per cent but ahead of the 10-year average of 81 per cent.

Those in the southwest maintained their lead, with 87 per cent of their fields combined, just ahead of those in the west central and northwest, both 86 per cent; southeast, 84 per cent; northeast, 83 per cent and east-central, 80 per cent.

Three per cent of respondents said severe or widespread shortages of water for livestock were happening, 31 per cent reported moderate shortages, 16 per cent anticipated shortages and 50 per cent said no shortages were occurring or anticipated.

High winds caused most crop damage, with some saying they’d had “winds strong enough to blow swaths away,” the report said.