The weekly crop report from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture stating crops are stressed due to the lack of moisture this year, and the heat and dry conditions are causing the crops to advance quickly. 

The report noted that there was a reprieve from the heat with clouds, and smoke from wildfires, and that any rain received now will not help increase crop yields but will maintain them. The report also came out before the storms that passed through much of the province Thursday afternoon and evening, as those storms brought high winds and hail. 

The cropland topsoil moisture levels were rated as just eight percent adequate, and 92 percent short of very short. For hay and pasture land, the topsoil moisture was rated six percent adequate and 94 percent short or very short. 

Haying operations in the province have seen around 22 percent of the crop cut, with 61 percent baled or in silage. The quality is rate as eight percent excellent, 51 percent good, 32 percent fair and nine percent poor. Yields, however, are well below normal. Producers are also unsure if a second cut will be possible this year.  

Crop damage reported in the past week was attributed to hail, wind, lack of rain, heat and grasshoppers.