NORTH BATTLEFORD - Some parts of the region are close to wrapping up harvest while other areas of the region are still looking at another two to three weeks before harvest will be completed. Currently 47 per cent of the crop has been harvested, up from 28 per cent last week and well ahead of the five-year average of 27 per cent. Harvest progress for this region has been largely influenced by the dry growing conditions in some areas and the lack of rain over the past several weeks. Some grain is coming off damp or tough and is being dried in grain driers or aeration bins.
Very little precipitation was received this past week, the Meadow Lake area received five mm, the St. Walburg area three mm and the Livelong area two mm.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 16 per cent adequate, 79 per cent short and five per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 12 per cent adequate, 79 per cent short and 10 per cent very short.
Pea grades are estimated as 40 per cent 1 CAN, 52 per cent 2 CAN and eight per cent 3 CAN.
The majority of crop damage past week was due to wind and waterfowl. There was several reports of hard frost in the western half of the region but producers are saying that most crops are too far advanced to be affected.
Producers are busy combining, swathing, grain drying and moving bales.
