Saskatchewan harvest only 4% complete versus 15% five-year average

Harvest in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan is progressing significantly slower than usual. As of August 17, farmers had harvested only 4% of crops, compared with 3% a year earlier, while the five-year average for this time of year is 15% and the 10-year average is 12%.

The delay was mainly caused by rainfall, thunderstorms, cool weather and high humidity. These conditions slowed crop maturity, hampered desiccation and reduced the amount of time available for fieldwork.

Winter crops are the most advanced, with 44% of fall rye and 33% of winter wheat already harvested. Among spring-seeded crops, barley harvest is only 5% complete and oats 4%. Meanwhile, farmers have harvested 18% of field peas and 13% of lentils.

Despite recent rainfall, soil moisture conditions remain uneven. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated short on 37% of the area and very short on another 7%. Fusarium head blight and sclerotinia have also been reported in central and northern areas, although the problems remain largely localized.

Harvest could accelerate significantly in the coming days as warmer and drier weather has settled across Saskatchewan, supporting crop maturity and fieldwork. Local specialists expect the gap with average harvest progress to narrow quickly if favorable weather conditions persist.

Tags: Canada, harvesting, Saskatchewan