Harvest operations across the province made significant strides over the past week, despite being slowed by rainfall and cooler evening temperatures, according to the new provincial crop report. While the recent precipitation has contributed to improving soil moisture levels, concerns are mounting regarding the potential impact on the quality of the remaining standing cereal crops. Many producers are now hoping for drier, more favorable weather in the coming weeks to complete the harvest.
At the provincial level, 85% of major crops have been harvested, representing an 11% increase from the previous week. In the South Region, and parts of the Central Region, harvest is nearly complete. Dry peas have been fully harvested across the province.
Cereal crops are also nearing completion, with 92% of spring wheat harvested, well ahead of the 5-year average of 78%. Similarly, 92% of barley has been harvested, compared to the 5-year average of 82%. Oats are also being harvested at a faster-than-average pace, with 78% of the crop in the bin compared to the 5-year average of 63%.
Attention is now shifting toward canola, which saw a significant 23% increase in harvest progress this week. A total of 71% of canola has been harvested, compared to the 5-year average of 57%. The remaining canola crops are reported as 12% still standing, with 17% drying in the swath.
Meanwhile, ongoing scattered showers have kept the percentage of the province with good to excellent surface soil moisture steady at 50%, the same as last week. However, regional differences persist, with surface soil moisture rated as good to excellent in the South Region at 44%, the Central Region at 60%, the North East Region at 47%, the North West Region at 34%, and the Peace Region at 66%.
Sub-surface soil moisture continues to improve, now rated as 36% good to excellent, up 4% from last week. The South Region saw the most notable improvement, with sub-surface moisture rated at 47%, an 11% increase. The Peace Region also improved, with 68% rated good to excellent, up 5% from last week. However, sub-surface moisture in the Central Region declined by 3%, now at 19%.
