Canada Markets

A Slow Pace of Harvest Continues in Saskatchewan

Cliff Jamieson
By  Cliff Jamieson , Canadian Grains Analyst
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While an estimated 11% of all Saskatchewan crops are estimated to be harvested as of Sept. 2, behind the five-year average of 28%, the canola harvest is estimated at 1% complete (blue line), down from 19% in 2018 and the five-year average of 13.6%. (DTN graphic by Cliff Jamieson)

Saskatchewan government moisture maps show that roughly 75% of the province received at least 10-20 millimeters of precipitation over the past week ending Sept. 2, while the eastern side of the province and scattered locations across the province received from 20 to 50 mm. This has acted to slow harvest, while the last half of the seven-day forecast has more precipitation in store for the province.

An estimated 11% of the province's harvest of all grains is reported complete, as of Sept. 2, up from 6% the previous week and behind the five-year average of 28% and the 10-year average of 29%.

Harvest is delayed across all crops, with an estimated 64% of the winter wheat off, with an estimated 92-99% of this harvest complete in 2017 and 2018. While the lentil and pea harvest was over 80% complete in 2018 as of this week, and over 90% complete in 2017, the current pace shows activity moving towards the mid-point for both crops.

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The canola harvest is estimated at 1% complete as of Sept. 2, while seen on the attached graphic, this compares to 19% completed as of the same week in 2018 (brown line) and the five-year average of 13.6% complete.

While the current pace shows similarities to the 2% estimated complete as of this week in 2014, we see that in that year, 54% of the crop had been swathed with a further 1% ready to straight cut, which compares to current data estimating just 17% swathed and 3% ready to straight cut.

As of Sept. 2, an estimated 4% of the province's spring wheat crop was estimated to be harvested (not shown), up from 1% the previous week. This compares to 28% this time last year and a five-year average of 18.8%. This is ahead of the 1% complete as of this week in 2014. Provincial data shows an estimated 3% of the crop has been swathed with a further 9% ready to straight combine, while in 2014, an estimated 16% was either swathed or ready to straight cut.

Cool weather and ongoing rains during harvest continues to challenge crop development and harvest activity. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Mean Temperature Difference from Normal chart for August shows almost the entire Prairies to average zero to 2 degrees Celsius below normal, while scattered areas across Saskatchewan, most evident in a radius from Saskatoon, saw the mean temperature falling from 2 to 3 degrees C below normal.

While DTN forecasts have ruled out frost concerns over the next 10 days, daytime highs on the eastern Prairies are forecast to reach zero to 3 degrees C below normal.

Cliff Jamieson can be reached at cliff.jamieson@dtn.com

Follow him on Twitter @Cliff Jamieson

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