According to the latest crop report from the Ministry of Agriculture, 95 per cent of the crop is combined in the west central region.

This is up from 89 per cent last week and remaining well ahead of the five-year average of 68 per cent. An additional four per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut.

Harvest is most advanced in the southwest region, where 98 per cent of the crop is now combined. The southeast and west central regions have 95 per cent combined. The east-central and northeast regions have 94 per cent combined and the northwest 93 per cent.

There was very little rain received in the west-central region this past week; the Luseland area reported two mm while others in the region show no rain at all.

Moisture conditions continue to decline with wind and warm days drying the topsoil. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 17 per cent adequate, 50 per cent short and 33 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 10 per cent adequate, 46 per cent short and 44 per cent very short. While many areas of the province reported land as short or very short for topsoil moisture, the west central region is estimating 95 per cent of the cropland and 95 per cent of the hay and pasture land as short or very short. Producers are hoping for substantial rainfall prior to freeze-up to ensure adequate moisture levels for next year.

The majority of crop damage this week was due to wind, waterfowl and wildlife. Wind has continued to blow swaths around and shell out crops. There continues to be symptoms reported in the crops caused by lack of moisture and frost as well. At this point of the season frost will be helpful for producers who are struggling with regrowth in their fields as it will kill off green growth and reduce the need for herbicide applications.

Producers are busy combining, hauling grain, hauling bales, moving cattle and starting other fall field work such as post-harvest weed control and harrowing. Winter cereals are not able to be planted in many areas of the province due to the extreme lack of soil moisture. Fall fertilizer applications are also not possible in many regions due to the dry conditions.