Weather has affected yields for some farmers in Saskatchewan

Harvest is progressing well in Saskatchewan, but farmers in some areas of the province are reporting yields that are lower than what was expected.

In the weekly crop report released Thursday, the Ministry of Agriculture said most producers were saying yields were about average, but some were predicting yields would be lower than anticipated due to hot and dry conditions over the past few weeks.

The ministry said 28 per cent of the provincial crop is in the bin, up from 15 per cent last week and ahead of the five-year average for this time of year of 22 per cent. Another 27 per cent of the crop has been swathed or is ready to straight-cut.

Harvest is furthest ahead in the southwest region, with 50 per cent of the crop combined. The southeast region is at 39 per cent combined, followed by the west-central (25 per cent), east-central (20 per cent), northeast (10 per cent) and northwest (three per cent) regions.

According to the report, 99 per cent of fall rye, 96 per cent of winter wheat, 81 per cent of lentils, 73 per cent of field peas, 53 per cent of mustard, 37 per cent of durum, 28 per cent of chickpeas, 19 per cent of spring wheat and 11 per cent of canola has been combined.

Another 40 per cent of the canola crop and 23 per cent of the mustard crop has been swathed or is ready to straight-cut.

The recent hot, windy weather has had a significant effect on topsoil moisture conditions.

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated at just two per cent surplus and 32 per cent adequate, but 47 per cent short and 19 per cent very short. The ratings for hay and pasture land topsoil moisture are one per cent surplus, 21 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and 34 per cent very short.

The ministry says there were reports of frost in some areas during the week, but the damage was said to be minimal.