Thanks to favourable weather conditions, harvest was able to wrap up with 99% of the crop reportedly in the bin, according to the Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Final Crop Report of 2018.

Aeration bis and grain dryer were put to good use during the last month of harvest. As for quality, producers were reporting average to above average quality overall. Crops that were harvested before the weather turned in Septemeber were consistently higher in quality while that which was combined more recently was downgraded due to sprouting, bleaching and, frost. 

The yields were more varied due to the amount of moisture received in each region. Some areas are have reported higher than normal yields while the overall yield is around the same as the 10 year normal. 

"Yields in many southern and central areas were significantly affected by the hot and dry conditions this summer," the Crop Report stated. "Average provincial yields at this time are being reported as 43 bushels per acre for hard red spring wheat, 38 bushels per acre for canola, 22 bushels per acre for soybeans, 35 bushels per acre for field peas, 61 bushels per acre for barley, 1,236 lb. per acre for lentils and 1,153 lb. per acre for chickpeas."

The rain and snow were good for topsoil moisture however, more moisture will still be needed to restore the conditions. 

"Many producers have indicated that the subsoil is very dry and that growing conditions may be affected next year if conditions do not improve. Heading into winter, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 5% surplus, 64% adequate, 24% short and 7% very short."

"Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 2%, 52% adequate, 36% short and 10% very short. Many producers have indicated that the subsoil is very dry and that growing conditions may be affected next year if conditions do not improve. Heading into winter, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 5% surplus, 64% adequate, 24% short and 7% very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 2% surplus, 52% adequate, 36% short and 10% very short."

"At this time, most livestock producers have indicated that they will have adequate supplies of hay, straw, greenfeed and feed grain heading into winter; however, producers in drier areas of the province are reporting that they will have inadequate winter feed supplies and that shortages are likely if the winter season is extended.

The fall seeding time saw drier than normal conditions which led to the number of acres seeded to winter cereal below average. The rain received in September, however, will help the crop germinate.

Producers now set their sights on cleaning fields, rock picking, hauling bales and grain, moving livestock, and fertilizing.