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By Jaryn Vecchio

Harvest Season

Harvesting underway in southern Sask, many farmers still waiting in more northern communities

Aug 18, 2022 | 5:00 PM

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — Many farmers in southern Saskatchewan have started their harvest but the same can’t be said for those who work farther north.

Nearly all farmers who work north of Saskatoon are still waiting for their crops to be in a prime position for harvesting.

“We’ll probably be starting fall desiccation next week and combining is, minimum, two weeks away,” said Kerry Peterson, a Shellbrook area farmer who explained this isn’t unusual.

Despite this, he’s pretty optimistic about this year’s harvest.

What can change that rather quickly is the weather. Crops are at risk of being destroyed by hail, while wet conditions can push back harvest starting dates.

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The longer farmers wait, the more challenges can pop up.

“We’ve had early frost in August which has hurt the yields, canola is the big issue as it’s still not ripe enough to combine,” added Don Blocka, who farms near Prince Albert.

Dry crops are the goal for farmers. This makes it easier to store, helps avoid the chances of mold, reduces waste, and improves the quality of the crops.

Crop Report

Around five per cent of the province’s crops have been harvested so far.

This is below the average for this time of year, mainly due to poor weather. Typically around this time, around eight per cent of crops have been put into bins.

The crops leading the way are winter wheat, around 36 per cent complete, fall rye, around 22 per cent complete, and field peas, around 16 per cent complete.

Bob Reid, who farms in the Smeaton area, has been one of the few north of Saskatoon who’ve got an early start on harvesting.

His crews have just started working on their peas. Like many other farmers across the province, recent bad weather did hurt some of his crops.

“It could have been a lot worse,” said Reid.

Some other causes of crop damage, according to the province’s crop report, include aphids, diamondback moths, and grasshoppers.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow