Saskatchewan’s harvest nearly three-quarters complete

Saskatchewan farmers remain well ahead of the average pace for harvest.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture’s weekly crop report, 74 per cent of the crop has been combined — far above the five-year average of 50 per cent for this time of year.

Another 17 per cent of the crop has been swathed or is ready to straight-cut.

Producers in the southwest region of the province are the furthest ahead, with 85 per cent of the crop in the bin. That’s followed by the southeast (81 per cent combined), west-central (79 per cent), east-central (63 per cent), northeast (69 per cent) and northwest (57 per cent) regions.

To date, 99 per cent of lentils, 98 per cent of field peas, 89 per cent of durum, 86 per cent of mustard, 83 per cent of spring wheat, 82 per cent of barley, 54 per cent of canola and 25 per cent of flax has been combined.

Another 34 per cent of canola is swathed or ready to straight-cut.

With limited rainfall during the week — the report says the Shaunavon and Gull Lake areas got the most rain with just 15 millimetres — topsoil moisture levels in the province continued to drop.

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 36 per cent adequate, 38 per cent short and 26 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is viewed as 21 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and 35 per cent very short.

Some crops in the province were damaged by hail, wind, dry conditions, wildlife and waterfowl. As well, frost was reported in one rural municipality in the northwest.

“Damage will vary depending on the temperature and duration of the frost as well as the stage of the crop,” the report said. “At this point in the season, the damage will likely be minimal as most crops are matured enough to withstand a minimal frost.”