SASKATOON – The 2014 Saskatchewan harvest is underway but weather conditions that have delayed crops from maturing have put this year’s harvest slightly behind the five-year average.
The weekly crop report says just over one percent of the crop has been combined, with four per cent swathed or ready for straight-cutting.
The five-year average for this time of year is two and five per cent respectively.
Harvest operations are furthest ahead in the southwest, with four per cent of the crop combined.
The report says average crop yields are reported in most areas, in line with a Statistics Canada report released Thursday.
The agency’s July farm survey said farmers can expect production to return to more normal levels for wheat and canola after record crops last year.
At the time of the survey, Prairie farmers said excessive rain in late June was likely to affect what could be harvested.
Weather conditions have impacted crop development recently, with heavy morning dew and frequent rain showers delaying crop maturation and harvesting.
Heavy rain, strong winds and hail also caused crop damage in the past week.
With files from The Canadian Press
Comments