Forty-five per cent of the Northwest crop is now combined, up from 27 per cent last week, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's Weekly Crop Report.

That’s well behind West Central Saskatchewan (south and west of Battleford) which has 64 per cent combined; and even further behind Saskatchewan as a whole, which has 74 per cent combined.

In fact harvest in the province as a whole is well ahead of schedule. The five-year (2007-2011) provincial average for this time of year is 55 per cent combined and 28 per cent swathed or ready to straight-combine.

The Northwest

Significant rain in many parts of the region has delayed harvest and damaged crops in the Northwest.

The North Battleford area received 24 milimetres of rain (mm), the Glaslyn and St. Walburg areas four mm and the Turtleford area two mm. Since April 1, cumulative rainfall in the region has varied from 328 mm (St. Walburg area) to 494 mm (Glaslyn area).

Wind, hail, disease and excess moisture have damaged crops. Yields are variable and range from very poor to average. Average yields are predicted as follows: winter and spring wheat 40 bu/ac, oats 77 bu/ac, barley 62 bu/ac, fall rye 25 bu/ac, canola 31 bu/ac and peas 34 bu/ac. Grades for field peas are reported as 22 per cent 1 CAN, 60 per cent 2 CAN, 15 per cent 3 CAN and three per cent sample grade.

A light frost was received Sunday night but damage at this time is minimal. Strong winds have damaged crops and crop reporters are indicating that damage will be significant. Harvest in most of the region has been slow due to excess moisture and high humidity. Some wheat fields are sprouting.

West-Central Saskatchewan

A week of warm and dry weather has helped to progress harvest.

The majority of the region did not receive any rain this past week. Since April 1, cumulative precipitation in the region has ranged from 316 mm (Netherhill area) to 556 mm (Battleford area).

The Battleford area has the second-highest cumulative rainfall total in the province since April 1.

Disease, hail and strong winds have damaged crops

Strong winds, disease and hail continue to damage crops in the region and many producers are reporting significant yield losses. Crop reporters are indicating variable yields ranging from below average to average.

Harvest is behind schedule in some areas, due to delayed maturity and lodged crops. A light frost was received Monday morning but damage has been minimal. Most producers have indicated that harvest will be completed in the next week or two.