Farmers in the Lloydminster area are starting to desiccate or swath crops as the warmer weather helped crops advance.
Less than one per cent of crops in the north west region have been combined and one per cent have been swathed or are ready to straight-cut. This falls in line with the five-year average for this time of year.
Across the province, four per cent of crop have been combined and six per cent have been swathed or are ready to straight-cut.
In the north-west region, spring wheat, barley, oats, canola, flax, canary seed are above 98 per cent standing. Field peas are 92 per cent standing, five per cent in swath and three per cent are ready to combine.
There was little rain in the region in between August 11th and 17th. Precipitation ranged from zero to 10 mm in the Frenchman Butte area. St. Walburg continues to have the most precipitation since April 1st with 436 mm.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 89 per cent adequate. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 91 per cent adequate.
The majority of crop damage came from heat, wind, wildlife and grasshoppers. There has also been reports of flee beetle damage in canola.
Farmers will be hauling grain, getting equipment ready for harvest and starting to swath and dessicate in earlier maturing fields. The province reminds drivers to be aware of farm equipment moving on highways and to be patient.
