A dry spell and warm weather across Saskatchewan have fast-tracked crop development, prompting some farmers to start harvest early, according to the latest provincial crop report. Hot and dry conditions throughout much of the growing season accelerated maturity, particularly for early-seeded crops and winter cereals. Fall rye is leading harvest progress at 21 per cent complete, while winter wheat stands at seven per cent. However, short to very short moisture levels are beginning to weigh on late-seeded crops that still require rain for proper grain fill. Minor to moderate crop damage has been reported due to high temperatures, dry soil, wind, grasshoppers and bertha armyworms.