Good harvest progress was made during the past week, according to Sask-atchewan Agriculture and Food’s weekly crop report.

Thirty-seven per cent of the 2006 crop has been combined, and a further 33 per cent has been swathed or is ready to be straight combined. This is higher than the five-year (2001-2005) average of 18 per cent combined, and 20 per cent swathed or ready to straight combine.

Harvest operations are most advanced in the southwest where 71 per cent of the crop has been combined. Provincially, the winter wheat crop is 98 per cent combined, fall rye is 99 per cent combined, peas are 85 per cent combined and lentils are 89 per cent combined. Yield estimates are holding relatively steady.

Insects, drought and wind were the main sources of crop damage during the past week. Sawfly damage is being accelerated by strong winds pushing on the crops. Several areas received hail.

There was a further deterioration in pasture conditions since the end of July, at which time 34 per cent of reporters rated pastures in good to excellent condition. Currently 24 per cent of reporters rate pastures in good to excellent condition. The poorest rating for pasture conditions was reported in the southern part of the province, where some farmers have resorted to feeding their livestock. Eleven per cent of reporters rated livestock water supplies as inadequate, and a number of farmers are hauling water for their animals.