Harvest nears halfway mark in Sask. as wet conditions cause delays

Harvest is nearly halfway complete across Saskatchewan, but persistent wet conditions continue to cause delays on many farms.

According to the latest crop report from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, which covered the week ending on Monday, harvest is 41 per cent complete across the province. But while producers are making steady progress, they’re still a long way behind the five-year average of 82 per cent and the 10-year average of 73 per cent.

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Harvest is furthest advanced in the southwest, where 67 per cent of the year’s crop is in the bin, followed by the west-central region, where harvest is 45 per cent complete. The southeast and east-central regions were sitting at 38 and 29 per cent completion, followed by the northwest at 26 per cent and the northeast at just 24 per cent.

The ministry said rainfall, high humidity and wet conditions in fields have slowed down progress in many parts of the province and caused some flooding, “with some reports of low-lying areas lost to water accumulation.” Wet conditions are also affecting crop quality in some areas, with the ministry specifically noting that pulse crops still in the field are seeing poor quality and sprouting.

The Moosomin area saw 75 millimetres of rain during the week ending on Monday, the ministry noted, followed by the Bethune area, where 54mm of rain fell.

In cropland, topsoil moisture was rated as 19 per cent surplus, 76 per cent adequate and five per cent short. In hayland, topsoil moisture levels were sitting at 12 per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate, six per cent short and one per cent very short. In pastures, topsoil moisture was rated as eight per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate, nine per cent short and two per cent very short.

“Since August, pasture conditions have improved significantly,” the agriculture ministry noted. “Provincially, 13 per cent of pastures are in excellent condition, 58 per cent in good condition, 21 per cent in fair condition, 7 per cent in poor condition and 1 per cent in very poor condition.”

The positive news, the ministry noted, is that high temperatures are expected over the weekend and into next week, which should give farmers a window to make more progress or wrap up harvest operations for the season.

While flooding and wind were the biggest sources of crop damage over the week ending on Monday, the agriculture ministry said waterfowl damage is becoming more prevalent as migratory birds like geese and cranes make their way across the province.

Additionally, “with an increased number of machinery fires, we would like to remind producers to have fire mitigation resources ready, blow off their combines regularly and take precautions when working around power lines,” the ministry noted.

“The public is also reminded to exercise caution when encountering machinery and equipment travelling on roadways.”

A full version of the crop report can be found on the ministry’s website.