Harvest is advancing across Saskatchewan with seven percent of the crop in the bin.

That’s up from last week’s three percent and the average of one percent for this date.

The latest crop report says scattered showers throughout the province have caused short delays to harvest but farmers are happy to finally receive rain.

54 percent of the winter wheat, 51 percent fall rye, 37 percent field peas and 29 percent of lentils have been combined.

Harvest ranges from 12 percent complete in the southwest, eight percent in the southeast and seven percent in west-central Saskatchewan.

Producers in the northern grainbelt have a little more than one percent of the crop in the bin.

The Lipton area received the most rain at 37 millimeters, followed by Langenburg at 27 millimeters.

Indian Head had 24 millimeters.

More rain would be welcome to help late seeded crops fill the last of their seed.

The biggest benefit would be to pastures.

Topsoil moisture conditions improved slightly with six percent adequate, 32 percent short and 62 percent very short.

The main causes of crop loss this past week was due to wind, drought stress, wildlife, grasshoppers and flea beetles.

There have also been isolated reports of hail.

Hay yields are below average this year due to drought.

Estimated average dryland hay yields are point 7 tons per acre for alfalfa-bromegrass, point 6 tons for hay and 1 ton per acre for greenfeed.

Irrigated hay yields are 1.8 tons for alfalfa-bromegrass.
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