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YORKTON — The East-Central region made good harvest progress this past week as producers crossed the half-way point of harvest. Harvest is currently 63 per cent complete, which is up 17 per cent from last week. Like much of the province, harvest in the east-central region is above the five -and 10-year averages. The five-year average for this time is 49 per cent and the 10-year average is 47 per cent.

Harvest is complete for fall cereal, triticale, field pea and chickpea crops in this region. Lentils follow closely behind with 99 per cent harvested. Durum has the fewest acres remaining for spring-seeded cereals as 87 per cent of crops have been harvested, followed by barley at 81 per cent and spring wheat at 80 per cent. Over half of the oats are harvested with 54 per cent harvest progress. Only 10 per cent of canary seed crops have been harvested. Mustard harvest progress leads all oilseed crops with 90 per cent of the crop in the bin. Canola and flax are further behind with only 34 per cent and 14 per cent of crops harvested, respectively. Lastly, half of the soybean crops are off as harvest progress for this crop is sitting at 50 per cent.

The east-central received modest rainfall this week, which was enough to cause harvest delays. The Calder area received the most rain with 25 mm, while Foam Lake and Jedburgh areas both received 18 mm.

Topsoil moisture conditions did improve due to the rainfall, which producers were happy to see. Topsoil moisture for cropland is 60 per cent adequate, 38 per cent short and a mere two per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is 47 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and 13 per cent very short. Finally, pasture topsoil is rated 45 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 13 per cent very short.

Pasture conditions in this region are some of the best in the province, largely due to part of the east-central receiving more rain during the growing season relative to much of the province. Twenty-nine per cent of pastures are in good condition, 39 per cent are in fair condition, 17 per cent are poor and 15 per cent are very poor.

Crop damage was mainly caused by strong winds and recent dry conditions in some areas. Aside from harvesting, producers are busy desiccating late-seeded crops, moving livestock and post-harvest harrowing.

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