Some area farmers are behind schedule in harvesting due to the late maturity of some crops and the inconsistent weather experienced during the growing season.
Brandon Babich farms northeast of Moose Jaw and grows durum, canola, flax and lentils. He and his team began harvesting in early August and have already taken off lentils, while they have started on durum. However, he pointed out harvest has been “really slow and really behind” compared to previous years.
Some crops on Babich’s farm grew slowly since they received little moisture in the spring, but once moisture did arrive, there was next to no heat to help them grow.
“We are probably two to three weeks behind,” he said.
Last year Babich and his team finished harvesting by Sept. 18. This year, however, they are only 20 per cent done and — while it’s better than nothing, he noted — they will likely work into October. It’s not often they go that late, although they did finish harvest in 2016 in November.
Since they are so behind, Babish usually jumps into his combine in the morning and continues in his fields until around 10 or 11 p.m.
“If we have consecutive days, we all get tired,” he added. “That might be a bit of a struggle here going forward if everything’s ready; there will be a big push … It will be tougher.”
Fourth-generation producer Trevor Simpson farms southeast of Moose Jaw and on land near Swift Current. He and his team of eight are 15 per cent done harvest, and similar to Babich, harvest is behind due to rain, cooler temperatures and delayed maturity of crops. Simpson is hoping for warmer and dryer weather the rest of the way.
Simpson started harvesting two weeks ago — he grew lentils, peas, chickpeas, durum, spring wheat, canola and flax this year — although progress has been day-to-day, which is typical at this time.
“I’d say if we had hot temperatures, we would finish by the first week of October,” he laughed. However, he suspects he’ll be finished harvesting by late-October. In comparison, Simpson and his team were in the fields faster last year since it was drier.
Simpson will also pull 12-hour days driving his combine. He noted the machines are more comfortable to drive these days, but he usually gives his crews a break regardless so they can recharge.
“We let them off early once a week so they can get home and get some downtime with their families and maybe do some laundry,” he added with a laugh.
What Babich enjoys about harvest is taking off the crops on which he worked so hard earlier in the year. He also enjoys spending time with his crew; there are 34 people employed on the family farm, including full-time staff and seasonal employees.
Simpson echoed those statements, saying it’s nice to reap the fruits of his earlier labour. It’s also enjoyable to work outside in the sun and to socialize with his crews.
The quality of Babich’s lentils this year is quite good since they were harvested before the late rains fell, he said. The quality of the cereals is slowly getting better since those crops — particularly durum — were not as mature when the late rains fell.
The quality of Simpsons’ crops will be hit and miss, he said. While good quality crops were seen earlier, the rains have now jeopardized their maturity.
The markets are quite poor right now, Simpson and Babich said. Canola has been affected by a trade dispute with China, while India has put tariffs on lentils. When the markets turn around is anyone’s guess.
