NORTH BATTLEFORD - The weather this past week was ideal and 70 per cent of the crop is now in the bin, up from 63 per cent last week and well ahead of the five-year average of 44 per cent. Producers estimate that harvest will be wrapped up in two weeks.
There was very little rainfall in the northwest region with most areas reporting only trace amounts. The Meadow Lake area reported 10 mm, the Pierceland area six mm and the Barthel area three mm.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 68 per cent adequate, 29 per cent short and three per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 55 per cent adequate, 32 per cent short and 13 per cent very short.
Water quality in the region is reported to be good and no immediate water shortages are expected. Producers in the region had some timely rains which allowed for livestock to graze for the appropriate length of time and ensure that water quality did not become unsafe.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to wind, wildlife and waterfowl. Wind has been blowing swaths around but has also helped to dry some of the crop in the field.
Producers are busy combining, drying grain and moving bales.
