By Alice McFarlane

Final crop report says moisture is needed to replenish fields

Oct 22, 2020 | 12:38 PM

With harvest virtually complete in Saskatchewan farmers have been trying to wrap up post-harvest field work like harrowing, weed control and bringing livestock home.

The dry soil conditions and recent cold temperatures have limited fertilizer and herbicide applications.

Overall provincial yields are average with some areas reporting higher than average yields. The weather conditions over the course of the growing season impacted some yields due to heat stress, dry conditions, and hail. Northern areas reported some drowned out low spots.

Average yields are estimated as 46 bushels per acre (bu/A) for hard red spring wheat, 86 bu/A for oats, 67 bu/A for barley, 37 bu/A for canola and 39 bushel per acre for peas. Lentil yields averaged 1,475 pounds per acre.

David Altrogge of St. Benedict said it was a great harvest compared to the last two years.

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“We got the crop off in a timely manner and the majority of it was dry,” Altrogge told farmnewsNOW. “It was a way less stressful harvest this year.”

Altrogge said canola yields were down a bit from last year but overall, he was happy with the crop considering the difficulties surrounding the pandemic.

“I feel very lucky and a lot of farmers in Saskatchewan should feel lucky that they’re in an industry that hasn’t been affected by the pandemic,” Altrogge said. “The prices for our commodities have gone up compared to last year. With the drop in bushels we’ll make it up on the prices that have been firming up and increasing as we go into the fall.”

Soil conditions remain a concern. Most of the province has reported below average rainfall this year along with hot temperatures and drying winds throughout the growing season.

Parts of the southern and central regions have reported short or very short topsoil moisture conditions for most of the year.

Altrogge said precipitation is needed this fall and over winter to replenish fields and dugouts.

“We haven’t had a lot of rain here since the middle of August. Most farmers in our area direct seed which is good. It keeps cover on the ground and prevents it from drying off too bad. We could sure use a rain here. We’re on the drier side.”

Most livestock producers have enough hay, straw, greenfeed and feed grain heading into winter. The drier areas of southern and central regions are concerned about winter feed supplies and shortages are likely.

Average hay yields on dry land are reported as 1.2 tons per acre (alfalfa), 1.1 tons per acre (alfalfa/brome and wild hay), 1.0 tons per acre (other tame hay) and 1.9 tons per acre (greenfeed).

Most of the hay going into winter is rated as fair to good in quality.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF