Combining resumed over most of central and northern Saskatchewan on the weekend.

Daryl Fransoo farms west of Glaslyn, about 200 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon. Wheat was coming off around 20 percent moisture and canola between 12 and 13.

“We haven’t taken a dry bushel off yet, everything has gone through the dryer,” says Fransoo, who’s harvest is about 30 percent complete. “I think it is probably a theme around the whole area.”

Quality issues have arisen in cereals and even canola to an extent.

“I’ve heard of sprouting in every crop, even canola, which is highly unusual. For wheat, the frost is definitely going to (cause) downgrading,” said Fransoo.

Yields should be about average, but would have been better if not for a frost in mid-August.

Brett Halstead farms in the Nokomis area, about 160 kilometres southeast of Saskatoon. He tried combining on Saturday, but had to wait until Sunday.

“We got going on some wheat in the mid-seventeens yesterday,” said Halstead. “I know some of the guys with canola were getting close to dry around here yesterday. Our canola still has a fair bit of green in it, so it’s not ready.”

The extra time in the field has hurt cereal crop quality.

“There are quite a few issues with sprouting, even in standing wheat,” said Halstead. “Mildew has been an issue too. Now, they (millers) are starting to call for falling number tests because of quality concerns.”

Halstead has aeration on his farm, but no grain dryer.

“Typically, we haven’t needed a dryer over many years around here. In the past couple of years, there has been more of a moisture issue.”

Grain drying is available at area terminals. Halstead notes that is probably a more expensive option than doing it yourself.

The latest Environment Canada weather forecast is predicting more precipitation on Tuesday. More rain and small amounts of snow are likely, depending on where you are in the province. The weather will improve later in the week with colder than normal temperatures.