Until recently, Saskatchewan’s summer had been hot and dry, with rain and colder temperatures.
Farmers have harvested 29% of this year’s crop due to the drastic weather change. It’s up from the five-year average of 12%.
The southeast and west of the province have completed the greatest harvesting.
According to the Saskatchewan crop report, 93% of winter wheat, 78% of fall rye, 76% of lentils, 81% of field peas, 42% of barley, 31% of durum, 23% of oats, 25% of spring wheat, and 6% of canola were combined.
Sask. Agriculture crops extension specialist Matt Struthers says in a perfect world, an extended period of sunshine would be needed to dry off crops. Recent rainfall, in some areas, has caused the topsoil to be over-saturated.
“What I would like to see happen in the forecast — which is sadly not what they are predicting — is some warm, sunny days to dry the crops up, get the combines in the fields and get this harvest over with as quickly as we can,” Struthers said.
“It’s been a weird harvest year.”
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Struthers said even with the rain, much more moisture is needed through fall and winter to rectify the level of drought from this summer.
Struthers says some areas received wicked thunderstorms that had wind, lots of rain and hail. Adding to that is the nighttime temperatures drop.
“One section of the province reported frost earlier this week, it’s way too early for that,” said Struthers.
Struthers said because this year has caused such a bad crop yield from the hot conditions, any damaged crops from storms will probably be used for hay or feed.
According to Environment Canada, the next week is calling rain for the majority of the province in terms of thunderstorms and showers.
For more information on the crop report, visit the Saskatchewan crop report website.
Source_ globalnews.ca
