Harvest progress is picking up across Saskatchewan. However, rainfall, high humidity and wet field conditions slowed progress in the eastern part of the province and delayed harvest operations in the west. Wet conditions and high humidity are also affecting crop quality in some areas, with cereal and pulse crops still in the field experiencing poor quality and sprouting. High temperatures over the weekend and into this coming week will help farmers progress or finish up.

The provincial harvest progress is 41 per cent complete, behind the five-year average of 82 per cent and 10-year average of 73 per cent. The southwest continues to lead in harvest progress at 67 per cent followed by the west-central region at 45 per cent complete. The southeast and east-central areas are 38 per cent and 29 per cent complete, respectively. The northwest sits at 26 per cent complete while the northeast sits at 24 per cent complete.

Winter cereals, pulses and spring-seeded cereal crops continue to account for most harvest progress, with winter cereal harvest nearly complete.

• Winter cereals harvested:
  • Fall rye: 99 per cent; and
  • Winter wheat: 97 per cent.
• Oilseeds harvested:
  • Mustard: 63 per cent;
  • Canola: 26 per cent;
  • Soybeans: 10 per cent; and
  • Flax: 7 per cent.
• Spring cereals harvested:
  • Triticale: 91 per cent;
  • Barley: 61 per cent;
  • Durum: 55 per cent;
  • Oats: 33 per cent;
  • Spring wheat: 32 per cent; and
  • Canary seed: 25 per cent.
• Pulses harvested:
  • Lentils: 92 per cent;
  • Field peas: 91 per cent; and
  • Chickpeas: 32 per cent.

Significant rain was recorded in parts of the province early in the week with the heaviest amounts reported in the southeast. The Moosomin area recorded 75 millimetres (mm) and Bethune area 54 mm. The Alida and Carnduff areas received 34 and 32 mm, respectively.

Topsoil moisture remains mostly adequate in cropland, hayland and pastures this past week.

Cropland topsoil moisture is:

• 19 per cent surplus;
• 76 per cent adequate; and
• 5 per cent short.

Hayland topsoil moisture is:

• 12 per cent surplus;
• 81 per cent adequate;
• 6 per cent short; and
• 1 per cent very short.

Pasture topsoil moisture is:

• 8 per cent surplus;
• 81 per cent adequate;
• 9 per cent short; and
• 2 per cent very short.

In many parts of the province, weather conditions during the growing season had a significant impact on crop yields. A full summary of estimated crop yields for all regions can be viewed in the estimated crop yields table