Farmers worked hard this week to advance harvest before the rain arrived and caused some delays.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, harvest progress is now at 23 per cent, up from 16 per cent last week and just behind the five-year average (2017-2021) of 26 per cent.

The southwest has 67 per cent of the crop now combined. The west-central region has completed 36 per cent, the southeast 16 per cent, the east-central nine per cent, the northwest six per cent and the northeast four per cent.

Sixty-six per cent of winter wheat, 62 per cent of fall rye, 74 per cent of lentils, 66 per cent of field peas, 46 per cent of mustard, 51 per cent of durum, 16 per cent of spring wheat and eight per cent of canola has now been combined. An additional 21 per cent of the canola and 13 per cent of the mustard is swathed or ready to straight-cut.

Most areas in the southwest and west-central received very minimal amounts, while the other regions received enough heavy rain to lodge crops and further delay harvest. The Lake Lenore area received 92 millimetres, the Tisdale area 75 millimetres, the Foam Lake area 35 millimetres, the Mossbank area 23 millimetres and the Shaunavon area 10 millimetres.

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 55 per cent adequate, 15 per cent short and 18 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture are rated as two per cent surplus, 50 per cent adequate, 28 per cent short and 20 per cent very short.

Most crop damage this past week was due to heavy rain, minor hail, strong winds and insects. The lodged crops could see quality downgrading and possible yield loss.

The Ministry reported that grain samples had been denied at elevators due to samples containing grasshoppers. They say those producers must clean their grain thoroughly before taking it to the elevator to sell.