Harvest lagging in some areas of Saskatchewan

Harvest is slightly behind the average for this time of year.

According to the weekly crop report from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, four per cent of the crop has been combined in the province and six per cent has been swathed or is ready to straight-cut.

The five-year averages for this time of year are five per cent combined and eight per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut.

The southwest region of the province has seen the most crop combined, at 11 per cent. That’s followed by the southeast (five per cent), central regions (two per cent) and northern areas (less than one per cent).

The ministry said 62 per cent of fall rye, 37 per cent of winter wheat, 22 per cent of field peas, 19 per cent of lentils and six per cent of barley has been combined. Three per cent of canola has been swathed or is ready to straight-cut.

Topsoil moisture levels in cropland are rated as 44 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and 17 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture was rated as 33 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 25 per cent very short.

Wind, heat, lack of moisture, wildlife and insects such as grasshoppers caused crop damage during the week. There also were reports of flea beetle damage in canola, as well as some localized hail damage.