The Saskatchewan harvest has advanced past the midway mark, although it continues to lag the average pace.
Thursday’s provincial crop report pegged the overall Saskatchewan harvest at 53% complete as of Monday, up 12 points from the previous week but still behind the five-year average of 73% and the 10-year average of 62%. Last year at this time, nearly three-quarters of the crop had been combined.
Recent rainfall slowed progress, but the moisture was welcomed by producers in drier areas for its long-term benefit to soil conditions, the report said.
By region, the southwest continues to lead with 66% of crops harvested. The southeast sits at 58%, while the west-central and northwest regions are both at 47%. The east-central region is at 46% and the northeast trails with 42% complete.
Harvest progress varies by crop. Winter wheat and fall rye harvests are now wrapped up, while peas (96%) and lentils (91%) are nearly complete. Among spring cereals, barley leads at 72% harvested, followed by durum at 66%, spring wheat at 56%, oats at 52%, and canary seed at 20%. Oilseed harvest is just beginning, with mustard at 41% complete, canola at 21%, flax at 6%, and soybeans at 13%. Chickpeas are also behind, with just 27% harvested.
In terms of crop quality, pea and lentil grades are tracking close to 10-year norms, durum shows slightly fewer top grades, and barley has a smaller share grading malt compared to average. Overall, quality reflects the wide variation in rainfall across the province during the growing season, the report said.
Heavy rains were recorded in several areas, with Kipling topping the list at 100 mm. Lampman received 85 mm, Aberdeen 81 mm, and Churchbridge 78 mm, while other communities including Griffin, Glenavon, and Rouleau saw 70–77 mm.
The moisture has improved topsoil conditions. Cropland moisture was rated 66% adequate, 22% short, 6% very short, and 6% surplus as of Monday, versus 2% surplus, 58% adequate, 33% short and 7% very short the previous week.
Crop damage this past week was caused mainly by wind, wildlife, and waterfowl, with frost and hail also reported in some later-seeded fields. Grasshoppers remain a concern in pockets of the province.
With harvest entering its final stretch, producers are balancing slower fieldwork against the long-term benefits of replenished soil moisture heading into next year.
