Harvest is just about complete throughout the province, with nearly all regions having 99 percent of crops in the bin. The five-year (2016-2020) average for harvest progress around this time of year is 79 percent. Producers continue to do post-harvest work in their fields such as harrowing, weed control and preparing to or bring livestock home. Reports say that the dry soil conditions along with the recent cold temperatures have limited fertilizer and herbicide applications. 

Throughout the fall, harvest weather was favourable, allowing producers to harvest without any major delays from the rain or waiting for crops to mature. The season-long drought mixed with extreme temperatures caused crop yields to be much lower than average; however, most crops were reported to be within the top two quality grades. Several smaller rainstorms in early September meant most of the province experienced regrowth within pastures and fields. This regrowth caused issues with the harvest process, especially in crops like canola. Producers had to apply herbicides or find other solutions in order to begin harvest. 

Crop yields varied throughout the province, heavily depending on the amount of moisture received throughout the season. Provincial yields overall are well below average, even areas that received timely rains reported below-average yields. Yields were impacted by the extreme drought, heat stress, wind, hail and grasshoppers. Average yields are estimated as 30 bushels per acre for hard red spring wheat, 19 bushels per acre for durum, 49 bushels per acre for oats, 34 bushels per acre for barley, 21 bushels per acre for canola, 22 bushels per acre for peas and 870 pounds per acre for lentils.

Moisture conditions remain a concern for many, with much of the province receiving minimal or below-average rainfall this year along with hot temperatures and drying winds throughout the growing season. All regions in the province reported that their topsoil moisture was short or very short for the majority of the season. 

Significant precipitation is needed this fall and winter to replenish moisture levels within the soil and dugouts. Heading into winter, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as twelve percent adequate, 43 percent short and 45 percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as eight percent adequate, 35 percent short and 57 percent very short.

Average hay yields on dry land are reported as 0.79 tons per acre (alfalfa), 0.77 tons per acre (alfalfa/brome and wild hay), 0.55 tons per acre (other tame hay) and 1.13 tons per acre (greenfeed). On irrigated land, the estimated average hay yields are 2.2 tons per acre (alfalfa), 2.1 tons per acre (alfalfa/brome), 1.60 tons per acre (wild hay) and 1.9 tons per acre (greenfeed). Most of the hay going into winter is rated as poor to good in quality.

At this time, most livestock producers indicated they will have inadequate to adequate supplies of hay, straw, greenfeed and feed grain heading into winter. Many areas in the province will have inadequate winter feed supplies and shortages are expected due to poor first cut of hay and the inability to get a second cut. The late rains did allow for some pastures to briefly green-up and extend grazing for one to two more weeks. 

Due to the very dry conditions this year, dugout, slough and well levels have been reported to be low and there are concerns about livestock water supplies. Some producers were able to use crop residue and straw from their grain farming neighbours to use it as feed. Thanks to the late rains, some pastures briefly greened up and extended grazing for one or two more weeks. 

With drier than normal field conditions this fall, the number of acres seeded to winter cereals is below normal. In most areas, winter wheat acres are estimated to fall 17 percent, while fall rye is estimated to fall twelve percent. With harvest wrapping up in most regions, there was adequate time for seeding but there were concerns with poor germination and establishment of winter cereals prior to winter due to extremely low topsoil moisture conditions. 

Producers were able to complete fall work such as fixing fences, moving cattle, hauling grain and bales, picking rocks, spreading weeds and working fields. Producers will continue to do this work until the temperature has a sharp drop or a big snowfall occurs.