Farmers in southwestern Saskatchewan have almost half their crop in the bin as producers across the province reach the quarter point of the 2017 harvest.
Saskatchewan Agriculture reported Thursday that 26 per cent of the crop in the province is now in the bin, well ahead of the five-year average of 16 per cent, due to dry and relatively warm weather.
READ MORE: Saskatchewan farmers making progress on harvest
Another 24 per cent is ready to be swathed or straight-cut.
Producers in the southwestern region are at 49 per cent combined, with the southeast at 37 per cent, west-central at 23 per cent and east-central at 14 per cent. No more than five per cent of the crop is combined in northern regions.
Harvest of fall rye and winter wheat is essentially done, with 76 per cent of lentils and 74 per cent of field peas combined. The remainder of crops are under 50 per cent harvested.
Crop damage in the past week was caused mainly by the lack of moisture, strong winds and insects.
The dry weather is also not helping moisture conditions, with cropland topsoil moisture rated 44 per cent short and 29 per cent very short.
Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated 37 per cent short and 41 per cent very short.
READ MORE: Drought in Saskatchewan reached extreme levels in July
SaskPower is also reminding producers to be careful when moving equipment and machinery around.
There were seven reports of farm machinery coming into contact with power lines in the past week, bringing the total in August to 19.
No serious injuries have been reported.
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