As August has come to a close, Saskatchewan producers have now completed 23 per cent of harvest and are just behind the five-year average of 26 per cent.
Compared to other parts of the province, southwest and west central are much further along. As a whole, the southwest is approximately 67 per cent done harvest. Some producers around Gravelbourg have even reported wrapping up their harvesting operations for the year.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture's latest crop report published on Sept 1st: "Sixty-six per cent of the winter wheat, 62 per cent of the fall rye, 74 per cent of the lentils, 66 per cent of the field peas, 46 per cent of the mustard, 51 per cent of the durum, 16 per cent of the spring wheat and eight per cent of the canola has now been combined. An additional 21 per cent of the canola and 13 per cent of the mustard is swathed or ready to straight-cut."
Many farm families recruit all of their family members to help with harvest operations to get the crop off as soon and efficiently as possible. In spite of harvest being a stressful and busy season, many producers find working with their families to be the most enjoyable part of the process.
The province is still experiencing mixed yields, with many regions reporting close to average or above average yields, while some areas in the southwest are experiencing below average yields.
After last week's rain, producers are hopeful about this week's forecast. Heat warnings have been issued in several regions across the province. Now that crops are ready to harvest, the hot and dry weather is welcome.
The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan would like to remind producers that in this extreme heat, grain temperatures should be monitored as producers fill their bins, in order to prevent overheating.
Overheating is one of the leading causes of grain spoilage.
