Warm and dry weather has helped Saskatchewan farmers get well ahead of the five-year harvest average.
Saskatchewan Agriculture reported Thursday in the crop report that producers have 45 per cent of the crop in the bin, with another 28 per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut.
READ MORE: Proposed federal tax changes anticipated to hit Saskatchewan farmers hard
The five-year average for this time of year is 28 per cent combined.
The harvest is furthest along in the southwest at 70 per cent combined. The southeast region is at 60 per cent, west-central at 44 per cent and east-central at 36 per cent combined.
Northern regions are at under 20 per cent combined.
Most of the fall rye and winter wheat are in the bin, along with lentils and peas.
READ MORE: Straight cutting viable method for harvesting canola study finds
Lack of rain caused most of the crop damage in the past week, along with strong winds.
The dry weather is also affecting soil conditions, with topsoil moisture rated at 42 per cent short and 34 per cent very short.
Hay land and pasture topsoil is rated 38 per cent short and 43 per cent very short.