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YORKTON — Harvest is 88 per cent complete in the east-central region as producers were able to make good harvest progress this past week. Harvest this year continues to be well above the five and 10-year averages of 76 per cent and 73 per cent, respectively. Some producers have finished harvest, but those that haven't are hoping for dry weather this next week to get the crop off in good time.

Harvest of fall cereal, durum, triticale, lentil, field pea and chickpea crops have wrapped up. Additionally, producers are close to finishing harvest of spring-seeded cereal crops. Both spring wheat and barley acres are 95 per cent off, while 89 per cent of oat crops are currently harvested. Canary seed is the only outlier as 39 per cent of these have been combined. Harvest of oilseed crops vary, as 99 per cent of mustard is off, 83 per cent of canola is in the bin and only 41 per cent of flax crops have been harvested. Finally, half of the soybean crops in this region have been harvested, while the other half is ready to be straight cut.

Much like the southeast and southwest, there was limited rainfall in the east-central which allowed producers to make good harvest progress last week. The area around Wishart saw the most rainfall with 8 mm, while the Dundurn and Calder areas got 7 mm and 6 mm, respectively. Consequently, topsoil moisture in the region fell slightly during this dry reporting period. Cropland topsoil moisture is 61 per cent adequate, 33 per cent short and six per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is 40 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 18 per cent very short. Finally, pasture topsoil moisture is 36 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and 17 per cent very short.

Estimated crop yields in the east-central are slightly better than the provincial average. Hard red spring wheat yield is coming in at 49 bushels per acre, durum yield is estimated to be 39 bushels per acre and the estimated barley yield is 65 bushels per acre. Canola yield is estimated to be 34 bushels per acre, which is about on par with the rest of the province. Finally, yields for field peas is estimated to be 42 bushels per acre and 1335 pounds per acre for lentil crops.

The best hard red spring wheat grades are being reported in the east-central. Sixty-five per cent is graded as 1CW, 31 per cent 2CW, three per cent 3CW, and zero per cent CW feed.

Crop damage to the remaining crops was from mild wildlife activity and strong winds. Producers are working hard to finish harvest, then will pivot to hauling bales, harrowing, cleaning corrals, and spraying for weeds.

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