Saskatchewan‘s harvest is running well behind normal pace, with the province sitting at 41 per cent complete as of Sept. 21.
That’s according to the Ministry of Agriculture’s latest crop report, covering the period from Sept. 15 to 21. The provincial five-year average for this time of year is 82 per cent. The 10-year average is 73 per cent.
Rain, high humidity and wet fields slowed progress across much of the province last week, particularly in the east and in parts of the west. Some cereal and pulse crops still standing in the field are showing poor quality and sprouting.
The northwest region, which includes the Lloydminster area, sits at 26 per cent complete. That’s up from 16 per cent the week before, as warmer weather let crews get back into fields.
The southwest continues to lead the province at 67 per cent complete. The west-central region sits at 45 per cent, followed by the southeast at 38 per cent and east-central at 29 per cent. The northeast trails at 24 per cent.
Winter cereals are nearly finished across the province, with fall rye at 99 per cent and winter wheat at 97 per cent. Pulse crops are also well along, with lentils at 92 per cent and field peas at 91 per cent.
Progress on other crops is more mixed. Canola sits at 26 per cent complete provincially, and soybeans at just 10 per cent.
The heaviest rain last week fell in the southeast, with the Moosomin area recording 75 millimetres. Topsoil moisture remains mostly adequate across cropland, hayland and pasture, though surplus moisture is showing up in some areas.
The ministry is reminding producers to have fire mitigation supplies on hand and to clear debris from combines regularly, as machinery fires have been on the rise. It’s also asking drivers to use caution around farm equipment on roadways.
The Farm Stress Line remains available toll free at 1-800-667-4442 for producers dealing with the pressures of harvest season.
