Earlier seeding is paying off in 2020 as Saskatchewan basks in multiple days of 30 degree plus heat.

There were some expectations of very high yields earlier in the growing season following ample June rain. Since then, it has been generally warmer and drier.

“My particular area is still looking at a good crop.” said Jim Wickett, a farmer in the Rosetown area. “It won’t be one for the record books for sure, but it still is going to be an above average crop by and large.”

While pastures could use a rain this week, many farmers in southern and central areas have moved into harvest mode.

“For most of the guys, there are a few late (seeded) crops that a rain would help,” Wickett said, “but in my general vicinity, the filling is done and it’s in the final stages of ripening. We are starting to see combines in the field in every direction now.”

Wickett started combining barley on Monday evening and is satisfied with the early yields, but noted it was drier than he thought.

Farmers in the Rosetown area are harvesting red lentils. Some fields have yielded well, while others were affected by disease.

“Some are quite bad and I’m hearing of single digit yields. Others did not get affected quite as bad and there are yields over 30 bushels an acre. Everyone has a field that isn’t very good. I think an average lentil crop at best once you mix the good with the bad.”

{CJWW}