Snow slowing harvest in Saskatchewan

The early October snow is putting a damper on harvest for many farmers in Saskatchewan.

Snow has been flying on and off since the beginning of last week, with some areas getting upwards of 20 centimetres.

Norm Hall is the president of the Agricultural Producers of Saskatchewan, but he’s also a farmer himself.

Speaking on Tuesday, he said he was out on the weekend.

“I drove to Regina yesterday, and on the way there were was a lot of canola crops that were still standing and they had been pushed down by the weight of the snow. And then on the way home, in the big snow that was coming at that time, they were getting even worse. There’s some wheat crops that are standing that are looking very short right now, they’ve been pushed right to the ground.”

Hall said most of his crops are swathed or in the bin, so he’s going to be alright. However, he said there are some in Saskatchewan who still have half their crop on the field.

For many, like Hall, the snow is an inconvenience, stretching out harvest, but for some it could mean a big financial hit.

Hall explained the snow and moisture could lower the grade for things like cereals, or even lower the yield altogether.

The effect will depend on Mother Nature, according to Hall.

“If she decides to give us some good days from here to the end of the month and into November we’ll be fine, but if this, excuse my terms, crap continues there might be a lot of combining happening in the spring.”

Last week’s crop report said 80 per cent of this year’s crop has been combined and 14 per cent is swathed or ready to straight cut.