With the increase of dryer days last week, the producers across the province were able to put an additional 18 per cent of crops in the bin as of September 16, bringing the total to 23 per cent so far this harvest.

The five-year average for the same time of year shows 50 per cent of crops were in the bin, however, weather obviously is still proving to be a factor for many producers.

So far this September, Kindersley has reported 34.2mm of rainfall, where as in years previous, the following rainfall amounts were recorded as of September 20.
• 2018 – 12.6mm
• 2017 – 16mm
• 2016 – 8.6mm
• 2015 – 27.8mm
• 2014 – 38mm

Terri Lang, meteorologist with Environment Canada, stated this upcoming week should stay relatively dry with the weather models showing a possibility of precipitation towards the end of the week, which could be followed up by snow.

“We do have one of our weather models showing the possibility of snow later in the day on Saturday and into Sunday, but we have another weather model not showing it at all. So it’s not conclusive, but the possibility is there, we will have to wait to see how the weather patterns develop in the upcoming week.”

As the ‘hurry up and wait’ game continues, producers are making progress with the recent crop report showing now 36 per cent of the crops across the province are swathed or ready to straight cut.

Ninety per cent of winter wheat, 88 per cent of fall rye, 78 per cent of field peas, 75 per cent of lentils, 39 per cent of barley, 17 per cent of durum and oats, 13 per cent of spring wheat and six per cent of canola is now in the bin. An additional 56 per cent of canola is swathed or is ready to straight-cut.

Harvest continues to be most advanced in the south region of the province.

The southwest is reporting 37 per cent of crop that is now combined. The southeast region has 28 per cent, while the west central region is sitting at 26 per cent combined. The northeast region has 15 per cent combined, east central is at 12 per cent and the northwest is reporting 10 per cent combined.

The report also outlines, 14 per cent of the durum is estimated to grade 1 CW, while 46 and 28 per cent is estimated to grade 2 CW and 3 CW, respectively. Thirty-one per cent of the pea crop is estimated to fall in the 1 CAN grade, 58 and 10 per cent are estimated to grade 2 CAN and 3 CAN, respectively.  Sixteen per cent of the lentils are estimated to grade 1 CAN, while 55 and 22 per cent is predicted to fall in the 2 CAN and 3 CAN category, respectively.

Across the province, topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 14 per cent surplus, 77 per cent adequate, eight per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 83 per cent adequate, 11 per cent short and three per cent very short.