Harvest is nearing completion in southeast Saskatchewan, with 86 percent of the crop in the bin. According to the latest crop report from the Ministry of Agriculture, this is just behind the five-year average of 90 percent.  

Farmers are busy harvesting, starting fall field work, hauling bales, cleaning corrals, and moving cattle to stubble fields.   

Good harvesting weather over the past week has allowed many producers to wrap up their operations, or get really close to finishing. There was very little precipitation over the region.  

Harvest is expected to be wrapped up in a little over a week if the weather remains calm. 

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one percent surplus, 56 percent adequate, 34 percent short, and nine percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as two percent surplus, 54 percent adequate, 37 percent short and seven percent very short. 

Estimated yields are stronger than last year. Spring wheat and canola are very strong with 45 bu/ac and 38 bu/ac respectively. Durum is estimated to yield 47 bu/ac, barley 71 bu/ac and oats 84 bu/ac.   

Most of last week’s crop damage was caused by strong winds and wildlife.