Producers in the Weyburn area are leading the charge for harvest in southeastern Saskatchewan, though progress for everyone has been hampered by recent cool temperatures and humid, damp conditions.
According to the latest crop report from the provincial Ministry of Agriculture, farmers in the Weyburn, Radville, Fillmore, and Avonlea area have six per cent of their crop in the bin. This puts them ahead of the rest of the southeast, where the regional average sits at just four per cent complete for the period ending August 18th.
The slow pace is a direct result of the weather. Cool days last week, along with high humidity, have delayed crop maturity, while significant rainfall in some areas over the weekend kept combines parked. The Riceton area recorded the most precipitation with 68 millimetres. While harvest has been slow, producers have made significant headway on winter crops and pulses. Across the region, 41 per cent of the winter wheat, 33 per cent of the fall rye, and 22 per cent of the field peas are now harvested.
The recent moisture, while frustrating for harvest, has been a major benefit for soil and water conditions. Cropland topsoil moisture saw a significant improvement and is now rated as 82 per cent adequate.
Hayland and pastures are also in good shape, with 78 per cent and 71 per cent adequate topsoil moisture, respectively. Livestock producers are also seeing stable conditions, with on-farm surface water supplies considered sufficient for the vast majority of the region.
Beyond the weather delays, producers have been battling pests. The report identifies grasshoppers and flea beetles as the most significant causes of crop damage over the past week.
There were also scattered reports of environmental damage from hail and strong winds, which caused some lodging in standing crops. The heavy rains also led to moderate water damage in low-lying areas of some fields.
With combines prepped and ready, producers across the region are now closely watching the forecast, hoping for a stretch of warmer, drier weather to get the 2025 harvest into full swing.