Another week of warm harvest weather has allowed Saskatchewan producers to get most of the crop in the bin. Ninety-eight per cent of the 2011 crop is combined, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's Weekly Crop Report. The five-year (2006 to 2010) provincial average for this time of year is 83 per cent combined.
The southeast and southwest have 97 per cent of the crop combined; the east-central, west-central and northeastern regions have 98 per cent combined; and the northwest has 96 per cent combined. Ninety-eight per cent of the durum, spring wheat and barley, 97 per cent of the canola and 78 per of the flax have been combined.
Across the province, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as two per cent surplus, 50 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and eight per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 49 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and 10 per cent very short.
In general, crop yields are reported to be average to above-average, with the exception of the areas in the south and southeast that received excess moisture in the spring. Crop quality is generally good. Ergot and frost damage have caused downgrading in some areas.
Farmers are busy finishing up harvest, hauling bales, hauling grain, cleaning corrals and controlling weeds.
