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Rain, wet fields continue to slow harvest

Sep 29, 2016 | 2:00 PM

Rain and wet field conditions continued to slow the harvest over the past week, according to the latest crop report from Saskatchewan Agriculture.

In the Prince Albert area, 65 per cent of the crop is combined, up 11 per cent from last week. Another 28 per cent is ready for straight cutting. The five-year average for this time of year is 75 per cent of the crop combined.

Cropland topsoil moisture in the region is rated as 76 per cent adequate, while hay land is rated as 79 per cent adequate.

Brent Flaten, a specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture said that while official statistics are still being calculated, yields are up but quality is down as a result of the wet weather.

“Yields are generally above average, but rainfalls have certainly decreased the grades of some crops with fusarium and other issues,” Flaten said.

Cereal grades in particular took a hit because of the moisture. Localized flooding due to heavy rain continues to cause problems for producers and this harvest season was a challenge so far for many.

Fields remain wet, and producers who tried to take advantage of dryer periods are having trouble with equipment getting stuck in the soft ground.

Across the province, 70 per cent of the 2016 crop is combined, with 22 per cent ready from swathing. The five-year average is 79 per cent.
 

shane.oneill@panow.com

On Twitter: @stroneill