By Angie Rolheiser

Early start to harvest in Saskatchewan due to drought

Jul 29, 2021 | 1:51 PM

MELFORT, Sask. — Hot dry weather has accelerated crop development and some farmers in south and central Saskatchewan have started combining.

Provincial crops extension specialist Shannon Friesen said that is quite a bit earlier than normal.

“Nothing about this year is normal for us,” Friesen said. “Harvest progress so far is very, very small, it is mostly peas and lentils that are coming off.”

Estimated yields for many crops across the province are expected to be well below average.

“We won’t really know until everything is off the field and into the bin, but we are expecting things to be much lower than we would normally have.”

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The crop report indicates any rain now won’t improve yields but would have a positive effect next year.

Over the past week, rainfall was non-existent in some areas but the Indian Head and Neilburg area had 55 millimeters, Lumsden reported 33 millimeters and Saltcoats had 24 millimeters.

The crop rating has rapidly deteriorated in comparison to just a couple of weeks ago, Friesen said. Crops are being rated as poor to fair in condition with the lack of moisture and drought.

Crop loss this week has been due to strong winds, drought stress, hail, heat damage, and grasshoppers. With no end of the environmental factors in site just yet, there is little farmers can do at this point in the season.

Provincially, livestock producers have 15 percent of the hay crop cut and 75 percent is baled or put into silage.

“We have also heard that many producers have wrapped up haying as with the lack of growth they are not expecting a second cut,” Friesen said.

Overall, a feed shortage is expected but the hope is that it is only short-term.

“We do have programs such as the one through Crop Insurance where we can turn our cereal and pulse crops into feed,” Friesen said. “We do have to keep in mind that a shortage is a possibility though heading into winter.”

The Farm Stress Line is available for support to those who need it. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-667-4442.

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angie.rolheiser@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW