Relatively warm and dry weather has allowed producers to continue making good time with harvest, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Weekly Crop Report.  Twenty-six per cent of the crop is now in the bin, well ahead of the five year (2012-2016) average for this time of year of 16 per cent combined.  Twenty-four per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut.making good time with harvest, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Weekly Crop Report.  Twenty-six per cent of the crop is now in the bin, well ahead of the five year (2012-2016) average for this time of year of 16 per cent combined.  Twenty-four per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut.

Harvest is most advanced in the southwestern region, where 49 per cent of the crop is now combined.  The southeastern region has 37 per cent combined, the west-central region 23 per cent and the east-central region 14 per cent.  The northeastern region has four per cent combined, while the northwestern region has five per cent of the crop in the bin.

Ninety-eight per cent of fall rye and winter wheat, 76 per cent of lentils, 74 per cent of field peas, 42 per cent of mustard, 32 per cent of durum, 26 per cent of barley, 21 per cent of triticale, 14 per cent of spring wheat and 10 per cent of canola have now been combined.  Eighteen per cent of soybeans, seven per cent of oats and chickpeas, two per cent of canary seed and one per cent of flax have been combined.  Thirty-nine per cent of canola and 25 per cent of spring wheat and mustard are swathed or ready to straight-cut.

The majority of the province received little to no rainfall this past week; the highest rainfall for the week (10 mm) was reported in the Rama area.  The Pierceland area still holds record for the most rainfall in the province since April 1 at 543 mm.

"Right now, I think most people are wanting it to stay dry, get harvest over, then get some real soaker rains to replenish the soil moisture," shared Brent Flaten, the Ministry of Agricultures' Integrated Pest Management Specialist, noting that topsoil was in bad shape, but could wait until the crops are in the bin.

With the warm temperatures and lack of rainfall this past week, topsoil moisture conditions continue to deteriorate.  Across the province, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as one per cent surplus, 26 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and 29 per cent very short.  Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 20 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and 42 per cent very short.

The majority of crop damage this past week is attributed to lack of moisture, insects and strong winds.  Producers continue to scout for insects such as bertha armyworm in canola.

Producers are busy combining, desiccating crops and hauling bales and grain.

"In the south, a lot of people are being pleasantly surprised by the yields, and they're moving along very well with the harvest," Flaten observed.

"All things considered, with the hot and dry summer, things are looking pretty good at this point in time. The big concern is that we really need to get some significant amounts of rain after harvest."

Looking ahead, he noted that everyone will be hoping to see continued dry weather so they can clean out the fields.

In addition Flaten had a caution for producers to keep in mind while working.

"SaskPower had another 7 reports of farm machinery coming into with powerlines during the last week. Keep an eye out on those powerlines with the large equipment that's out there these days."