Harvest nears completion in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Agriculture reported Thursday that 89 per cent of the 2021 crop is in the bin, ahead of the five-year average of 63 per cent for this time of year.

Farmers with crops still in the field hope the relatively warm and dry conditions continue for just a while longer as harvest nears completion in Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan Agriculture reported Thursday that 89 per cent of the 2021 crop is in the bin, ahead of the five-year average of 63 per cent for this time of year.

Another seven per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut.

The crop report said the harvest of lentils, field peas and durum is essentially complete, with 94 per cent of the spring wheat, 93 per cent of chickpeas, 89 per cent of barley, 80 per cent of oats and canola, and 64 per cent of barley now combined.

Another 15 per cent of the canola crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut.

Furthest along with the harvest is the southwest region at 94 per cent, followed by the southeast at 92 per cent and the west-central at 89 per cent.

The crop report said the east-central region has 84 per cent combined, the northeast 90 per cent and the northwest 77 per cent.

Famers who have completed their harvest are hoping for rain to rejuvenate topsoil and subsoil moisture levels.