Producers are slowly combining or swathing crops that are finally ready for harvest, but they will need a consistent hot, dry weather for the remaining crops to mature. The rain this past week further delayed harvest and held crops back from ripening and drying down, many producers note that canola fields are still very green and are worried about an early September frost. Harvest in this region is now at 16 per cent, up from six per cent last week and well behind the five-year (2017-2021) average of 34 per cent. An additional 11 per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight cut.

Multiple rainstorms resulted in up to 40 mm in the Regina area. The Weyburn and Bienfait areas received 32 mm, the Moose Jaw area 22 mm and the Glenavon area nine mm.

Topsoil moisture conditions are very good in the region with the recent rains. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 85 per cent adequate, eight per cent short and three per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 74 per cent adequate, 21 per cent short and two per cent very short.

Crop damage this week was attributed to heavy rains, strong winds, insects and minor hail. The largest issue this past week was crops being lodged from the wind and rain, this will result in a poorer quality of grain and make harvest more difficult. Grasshoppers continue to be a large issue with reports.

Producers are busy desiccating, swathing and combining when the weather permits and where the crop is ready.

View the full crop report from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture HERE.