The wet misery that has come the past couple of weeks to delay harvest progress will hopefully be behind us. Environment Canada has stated that the low-level disturbances providing all the moisture have drifted east. However, a sustained stretch of sun and good drying weather will be needed to get harvest back on track.

Sask Ag’s Crop Report for the week of September 3 - 9 shows that the wet weather has been widespread with southern areas of the province taking on most of the moisture. That doesn’t mean that the northeast and east-central areas escaped. Rainfall amounts during that period ranged from just a few millimetres in numerous areas to 40 mm near the Bethune weather station.

Those regions have seen significant delays in harvest progress with only 8 percent of crops overall in the bin. Quill Lake farmer Dwight Odelein compares this year’s progress to that of last year.

“I’ve got about 500 acres off a total of 2,400 so I’m looking at around 20 percent. Last year, there might have been only 20 percent left at this time.”

In one respect, the moisture has been welcome for hayland and pasture topsoil moisture replenishment. Current estimates are showing the moisture rates as 15 percent surplus, 83 percent adequate, and only two percent short. That hasn’t helped with this year’s hay crop though as shortfalls are still in the offing.

Strong winds localized to some areas have caused damage, but mostly the concern is the time race with frost and the fall deepens. Again, the emerging sun is sure to buoy spirits, as long as it sticks around for the foreseeable future.