Good weather over the past week allowed farmers to make serious harvest progress.
The Saskatchewan Crop Report has harvest at 63 per cent complete, a jump of 22 per cent from the previous week. However, it's still behind the five year average of 91 per cent and the ten year average of 82 per cent.
The southwest region continues to lead with 84 per cent of harvest complete, while the west-central is at 69 per cent, the southeast 57 per cent, the northwest 53 per cent, the east-central 52 per cent and the northeast is close to the half-way point at 49 per cent complete.
Provincially, all of the winter cereals – fall rye and winter wheat – have been harvested.
For oilseeds, mustard is 84 per cent complete, canola 45 per cent, flax 24 per cent, and soybeans 17 per cent.
For spring cereals, triticale is 97 per cent combined, followed by barley and durum at 79 per cent each, spring wheat 65 per cent, oats 56 per cent, and canary seed at 50 per cent.
Among pulses, field peas are almost done at 97 per cent, lentils 96 per cent, and chickepeas at 65 per cent harvested.
High winds were the primary factor for crop damage in the province, with some reporting the wind was strong enough to blow swaths away. Minor damage from localized flooding, frost, waterfowl, and wildlife were also reported.
The dry conditions across the province resulted in a marginal decline in topsoil moisture but are still good overall.
Crop land moisture is 13 per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate, and 6 per cent short.
Hayland moisture is eight per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate, seven per cent short, and one per cent very short.
Pasture moisture is five per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate, 12 per cent short, and two per cent very short.
The R.M. of Mount Pleasant in the southeast, near the U.S. border, recorded the highest amount of rain in the province at 15 millimetres (mm) and the R.M. of Martin, also in the southeast near Fleming, got 12 mm.
Crop reporters followed up on livestock water availability, which remains favourable with 93 per cent of producers saying no shortage is expected, six per cent note moderate shortages, and one per cent expecting a shortage in the future.
There is not much concern over water quality, with eight per cent of respondents citing issues due to algae in some water sources.
The Ministry of Agriculture reminds producers to "take appropriate fire prevention measures", including carrying fire extinguishers and regularly cleaning combines and other equipment, as warm, dry conditions increase the risk of machinery fires.
The Ministry also reminds the public to use caution when sharing the road with agricultural equipment during harvest.
