      Wet and cool weather, especially frequent rain and snow and lower temperatures, have stalled harvest for three weeks.
           Only 81 per cent of the 2016 crop is combined and 15 per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Weekly Crop Report for October 11 to 17.
      The percentage is low considering the fact that the five-year (2011-2015) average for this time is 97 per cent combined.
           By region, the southeast has 90 per cent of the harvest in the bin, the southwest has 85 per cent, the east-central region has 79 per cent, the west-central region has 73 per cent, the northwest has 78 per cent and the northeast has 80 per cent. Some southeastern producers reported being able to combine some canola and flax, but harvest progress has been minimal due to the wet conditions.
           Most areas received rain over the period in the crop report, with areas in the northeast and northwest reporting snow as well. Regions that received precipitation are: Moosomin and Moose Jaw, 15 millimetres; Vanguard, 18 millimetres; Yorkton, 35 millimetres; Outlook, 22 millimetres; and Lake Lenore, 25 millimetres. The Meadow Lake area received 35 centimetres of snow during the past week.
           Provincially, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 57 per cent surplus and 43 per cent adequate while hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 30 per cent surplus and 70 per cent adequate. Due to the very wet conditions, producers believe that the ground will have to freeze before combines will be able to get back into the field and some crops may be left over the winter.
           Rain and snow have lodged standing crops while bleaching and sprouting are causing grade loss.
           The crop report may be found on the Ministry of Agriculture’s website or on Twitter.
