Some harvest progress was made this past week due to favourable weather. 55% of the crop is in the bin which is up from 46% last week but well behind the five-year average of 87% at this time of year. An additional 25% of the crop is swathed or ready to straight cut. A majority of the crop that has come off is tough or damp and being placed into dryers.

Many areas in the region received varying amounts of rain last week. The Weyburn and Radville areas received two millimeters of rain while Moosomin received 20 millimeters, making the most in the region.

Topsoil moisture conditions in the area improved in the past week but there are still reports of many saturated fields. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 31% surplus, 46% adequate, and 23% short. Hayland and pasture topsoil conditions are rated at 41% surplus and 59% adequate while crop district 1A is reporting that 33% of the cropland and 60% of the hayland and pasture currently have a surplus of topsoil moisture.

Most of the crop damage in the past week was due to frost and strong winds and there continue to be many reports of downgrading at the elevator due to sprouting, bleaching, and staining.

Several weeks of warm, dry and windy weather are needed to complete harvest.

Farmers in need of assistance are encouraged to call the Farm Stress Line at 1-800-667-4442.