NORTH BATTLEFORD - The beginning of the week was hot and dry which pushed crops closer to being ready for harvest and allowed producers to swath or desiccate. Rain on the weekend resulted in some delays to field activities and crop damage. Currently, harvest progress is at six per cent, up from one per cent last week and just slightly behind the five-year average of seven per cent.
Rainfall this past week ranged from trace amounts to 24 mm in the North Battleford area.
The Glaslyn area received 17 mm, the Lloydminster area 12 mm and the Livelong area seven mm. Rain was welcomed by livestock producers who need pastures to remain healthy so that animals can continue to graze, but grain producers would like a break in the rain for harvest to advance harvesting operations.
Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as one per cent surplus, 65 per cent adequate and 34 per cent short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 50 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and two per cent very short.
Most crop damage this past week was due to strong winds and some light hail. The recent rain could lead to some grain being downgraded at the elevator. Producers hope that the weather remains warm and dry and that no frost hits before they are well into harvest.
Producers are starting to combine, swath, desiccate and haul bales.
