Producers have made significant harvest progress, due in large part to the warm and dry weather, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Weekly Crop Report.

Sixty-five per cent of the crop is now combined, up from 45 per cent last week, which is well ahead of the five year (2012-2016) average of 40 per cent combined for this time of year.  Twenty-two per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut.

Harvest is most advanced in the southwestern region, where 86 per cent of the crop is now combined.  The southeastern region has 76 per cent combined, the west-central region 66 per cent and the east-central region 57 per cent.  The northeastern region has 37 per cent combined, while the northwestern region has 35 per cent combined.  Some producers have wrapped up harvest operations and many more expect to be finished in the coming weeks.

Ninety-eight per cent of lentils, 95 per cent of field peas, 82 per cent of mustard, 81 per cent of durum, 71 per cent of barley, 63 per cent of spring wheat, 50 per cent of canola and 20 per cent of flax have now been combined.  Thirty-nine per cent of canola is swathed or ready to straight-cut.

Durum grades are being reported as 69 per cent 1 CWAD, 28 per cent 2 CWAD and three per cent 3 CWAD.  Pea grades are 47 per cent 1 CAN, 49 per cent 2 CAN and four per cent 3 CAN.  Lentil grades are 37 per cent 1 CAN, 57 per cent 2 CAN, five per cent 3 CAN and one per cent Sample grade.  Minimal disease issues have occurred so far, although there are some lighter bushel weights being reported.

"Overall, things are in much better shape than what we saw last year," stated Shannon Friesen, a Cropping Management Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture.

The majority of the province received no rainfall last week, although the Unity and Neilburg areas both reported receiving five mm.  Topsoil moisture conditions continue to worsen with the warm and windy weather.  Across the province, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 15 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and 46 per cent very short.  Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 11 per cent adequate, 34 per cent short and 55 per cent very short.

However, rain is finally beginning to return, if not in large doses. With moisture in the forecast, Friesen noted that it could have a mixed effect.

"In some cases, it may actually keep farmers out of the field for a couple of days, but for those in the south a rainfall would actually be quite welcomed. Not only would it help replenish some of the topsoil, it will also help to alleviate any additional concerns about the fire risk thats out there. And of course it will give producers a break, as many have been going hard for a month to a month and a half."

 With the dry field conditions, many producers have indicated that winter cereals may not be seeded this fall.  Lack of moisture continues to cause crop damage, while strong winds have blown swaths around and shelled-out standing crops.  There are many reports of combine and grass fires due to the extremely dry conditions.  Some areas in the north reported frost and producers are assessing damage.

Friesen noted that, while some farmers may not seed their winter crops, others have been out planting in anticipation in the rain, despite the relatively small amount.

SaskPower has received nine reports of farm machinery coming in contact with power lines since September 1, bringing the total since August 1 to 33.  Producers are urged to be extremely careful when using equipment around power lines.

The general vibes among producers is a mix of optimism and disheartenment.

"It's been another stressful year. Certainly, even though we are getting the harvest off earlier than normal, we are dealing with yields that aren't typically where they would normally be. Officially, if you were able to combine really early, a lot of those yields have been quite low. We've heard of 4 bushel lentils, but we've also heard of 30 bushel lentils, so it's quite variable right across the province and across the south," Friesen said.

"For the most part there is still optimism, because we are able to do harvest, and I think that's a bonus as compared to last year. Only time will tell."