A relatively warm and dry week allowed many producers to continue with harvest operations, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Weekly Crop Report.  Fourteen per cent of the crop is now in the bin, well ahead of the five year (2012-2016) average of eight per cent for this time.  Fifteen per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut.

"Of course, the bulk of that progress does come from the south. The southwest has about 30 percent in the bin, and the southeast follows with about 23 percent," shared Shannon Friesen, a Cropping Managment Specialist.

The west-central region is at 11 per cent and the east-central region four per cent.  Both the northeastern and northwestern regions have one per cent of the crop in the bin.  If the weather co-operates, the majority of producers in the province expect to be in the field by the end of the month. Ninety-two per cent of fall rye, 83 per cent of winter wheat, 57 per cent of lentils, 54 per cent of field peas, 14 per cent of durum and two per cent of canola have been combined.  Eighteen per cent of canola and 14 per cent of mustard have been swathed.

The majority of the province received little to no rainfall this past week, although the Pierceland area reported 89 mm.  Many areas in the northwest are saturated and field access will be an issue.

That said, the location is the main affecting factor in the equation.

"In terms of yield, we've heard of anywhere from well below normal to above normal. It all depends on whether you lucked out and got a little bit of rain throughout the season, but overall many of the earlier seeded crops have been taken off."

"In some cases, producers have been pleasantly surprised, and they've actually been higher yielding than we did expect, even a few weeks ago," Friesen noted, adding that the canola will be the most heavily affected by the moisture situation.

With the warm temperatures and lack of rain this past week, topsoil moisture conditions have worsened.  Across the province, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as one per cent surplus, 32 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and 27 per cent very short.  Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 26 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and 38 per cent very short.

"We did have some rain later in July and in early August that kind of helped things improve. However, in the last week we've had very windy and warm days, and of course a lack of rain for the majority of the province. As such, things have worsened slightly since last week."

While the cold temperatures are still a distance away, the thought of frost is creeping up. On average, it begins to show itself around mid September.

"There is always that concern. Certainly, although we've had these very warm days, the nights have cooled off tremendously. In some areas of the province last week we did dip to 2 or 3 degrees, which is never a good time."

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

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

SaskPower has received 12 reports of farm machinery coming in contact with power lines in August, with four reports being received last week.  SaskPower urges anyone who has come in contact with electricity to seek medical attention immediately, even if there are no signs of injury.

Looking ahead, Friesen expressed optimisim for the harvesting season.

"We've heard that, for the most part, the crop quality has been good to excellent. Of course, we do have some issues with some lighter bushel weights and smaller seed, but overall, it's better than it has been."

"I think we all have the last harvest in the front of our minds, and we want to make sure that we can try and get off as much as we can before it rains again," she concluded.