Widespread rainfall across Saskatchewan over the past week has stalled harvest operations, leaving producers significantly behind normal timelines.
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According to the latest provincial crop report released Thursday, overall harvest completion sits at 32 per cent, up just five per cent from last week. That progress trails well behind both the five-year average of 71 per cent and the 10-year average of 63 per cent for this time of year.
Heavy precipitation hit several regions, led by the rural municipality of Sarnia, which recorded 97 millimetres of rain. The RM of Sasman followed with 85 mm, while the RM of Aberdeen received 80 mm.
The additional precipitation increased topsoil moisture levels across the province, with cropland topsoil now rated as 34 per cent surplus, 63 per cent adequate and three per cent short.
Harvest progress remains primarily concentrated in winter cereals, pulses and early-seeded cereal crops. Fall rye is nearly complete at 98 per cent harvested, while winter wheat stands at 93 per cent. Among pulses, lentil harvest is 88 per cent complete and field peas are at 84 per cent.
Spring cereals and oilseeds continue to lag, with spring wheat at 17 per cent, canola at 15 per cent and flax at five per cent harvested.
The excessive moisture, along with strong winds and waterfowl activity, caused the majority of crop damage over the past week. Hail and frost damage were also reported in some late-seeded fields.
Quality grades vary across the province, impacted by the wet conditions. Only 23 per cent of harvested durum is grading as 1 Canada Western compared to the 10-year average of 39 per cent, while malt-grade barley stands at 18 per cent compared to its 31 per cent 10-year average.
Producers are awaiting warm, dry weather to resume field operations. Agriculture officials are reminding farmers to prioritize safety during the delay and asking the public to exercise caution when encountering heavy machinery on roadways.
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