The Government of Saskatchewan’s recent crop report indicates a “wet and cool” week has slowed harvest operations across the province, with only 68 per cent of the crop now in the bin. Saskatchewan Agriculture’s crop report says despite the wet weather, harvest is still slightly ahead of the five-year average of 64 per cent for this time of year. Crop reports earlier this month indicated warmer weather was helping harvest progress, but weather took a recent turn for the worse, with rain recorded throughout most of the province and some areas in the central region recording up to 15 centimetres of snow. The report says most crop damage in Saskatchewan was due to lodging, while precipitation contributed to quality loss. Of the crops outlined in the report, lentil harvest has progressed the furthest, with 97 per cent harvested; field peas follow with 96 per cent, followed by durum at 82 per cent. Spring wheat is slightly more than half harvested, while canola and flax sit at 48 per cent and 28 per cent respectively. The southwest region has seen the most success this season; 88 per cent of the crop is now combined there. Reports out of the southeast region indicate 87 per cent of the crop is combined there. Other regions in the province have combine numbers significantly lower. The west-central region sits at 59 per cent and the east-central region at 58 per cent combined. Numbers continue to drop into the northeastern region, where 34 per cent of the crops have been combined, while the northwestern region has reported 27 per cent combined. However, rain and snow in the late season has contributed to improved soil conditions across Saskatchewan. Moisture ratings in cropland topsoil are hovering around four per cent surplus, 58 per cent adequate, 32 per cent short and six per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 48 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 10 per cent very short. Source - https://leaderpost.com