Harvest is nearing completion across the Saskatchewan grainbelt.

The latest provincial crop report says 96 percent of the crop has been combined, up from 89 percent last week and ahead of the average of 76 percent for this date.

Harvest ranges from 99 percent in the southwest to 91 percent in the northwest.

Estimated yields are about average with red spring wheat at 46 bushels per acre and 36 bushels for canola.

Spring wheat is grading 64 percent number one, 29 percent number 2, six percent number 3 and one percent feed.

There were little rainfall this past week.

Topsoil moisture is rated 31 percent adequate, 41 percent short and 28 percent very short.

Once harvest is complete, farmers would welcome a downpour to replenish depleted soil moisture.

Most of the crop losses this past week were caused by wind, waterfowl and wildlife.

Farmers also point out harvesting indicated later maturing crops suffered from dry weather, frost and hail.
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