Cool, damp weather over the last week slowed harvest operations in some areas of the province.

In addition, many producers also reporting frost, and a hard frost - which is described as below -2 celcius for at least four straight hours.

Crops Extension Specialist Matt Struthers says while a number of areas reported frost it shouldn't do much damage now with crops beings so far advanced.

The rains may have caused some bleaching and minor downgrading to standing or swathed cereal crops.

This week's crop report shows harvest operations are now 73 per cent complete in the province, up from 64 per cent last week. 

Harvest is most advanced in the southwest where 96 per cent of the crop is in, other than some canola and flax which is still left to harvest.

Struthers says provincially farmers have been busy with a good percentage of all crops now in the bin.

"The west-central region has 89 per cent combined and the southeast 65 per cent. The northwest region has 63 per cent combined, the northeast 58 per cent and the east-central 52 per cent. Ninety-seven per cent of lentils and field peas, 94 per cent of durum, 78 per cent of barley, 77 per cent of spring wheat, 52 per cent of canola and 35 per cent of flax has now been combined. An additional 36 per cent of canola is swathed or ready to straight-cut."

For producers still trying to get the crop in timing of the rain is challenging, but will help with soil moisture and pasture conditions .

"Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 37 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and 21 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 28 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 29 per cent very short."

There's hope that the recent rains will be enough in some areas to allow pastures a little regrowth. 

The majority of crop damage this week was due to wind, waterfowl, wildlife and lack of moisture.

The full crop report is available here.