Agriculture minister David Marit says this week’s heavy snowfall in western Saskatchewan poses a big challenge for farmers.

An estimated 50 percent of the crop remains to be combined this fall and Marit says the snow will flatten many crops.

He says the flattened crops will force farmers to be slow and careful when combining.

He adds the moisture will likely downgrade some cereal crops like wheat and barley.

The snow ranged from 40 centimeters in the southwest to a trace around Regina and Saskatoon.

Marit says it will take a few days of warmer weather to melt the snow and then a few more days to dry out the fields before harvest can resume.

Marit remains hopeful weather will turn warm and dry and farmers will wrap up harvest before winter.